VSM-1 mine system

The VSM-1 system is made up of 4 containers, a PUM-1V (Russian: ПУМ-1В) control panel, a PKPI-1 (Russian: ПКПИ-1) control device, a PP-1V (Russian: ПП-1В) electronics test panel and a container lifting & suspension system. Depending on the configuration, a Mi-8 equipped with VSM-1 can spray from 116 to 8352 mines in under a minute. This allows the creation of minefields with a density ranging from one mine per 5-6 square meters to several mines per meter, depending on the helicopter's altitude. == Use ==

service member loading KSO-1 cassettes into the VSM-1 minelaying system. Generally, the helicopter crew performs the mining from an altitude of 30-150 meters, at speeds of 150-220 km/h. Depending on the type of mines loaded in the system, VSM-1 allows the mining of areas of 400-2000 meters in length, with a width of 15-60 meters. The mines are commonly used in tandem with bombing runs, preventing the enemy from properly navigating the ruins, resulting in more effective mine use. == Specifications ==

• Container size: • Loaded container: • Empty container: • Control panel: • Minefield sizes (up to): • Anti-tank: • Anti-personnel: • Anti-amphibious: • Temperature range of use: • High explosive: 3-5 pcs/m • Fragmentation: 0.2-0.3 pcs/m == Combat Use ==

The VSM-1, along with other minelaying systems like the BMR-2 (Russian: БМР-2), saw extensive use in the Soviet war in Afghanistan. As a result, more than a million mines were dispensed across the territory of Afghanistan. Raid in Jalalabad The mission was carried out in December 1981 and involved mining trails and passes on the border of Afghanistan with Pakistan. It was carried by two Mi-8MT helicopters of the 335th OBVP (from Rus. Otdelʹnyy Boevoy Vertolëtnyy Polk) helicopter combat regiment, escorted by two Mi-24B attack helicopters. However, the mission was led by a senior navigator of the Air Force of the 40th Army, who arrived from Kabul, and was unfamiliar with the area. He guided the helicopter's crew over the border with Pakistan and ordered the mines to be dropped there, essentially mining the territory of Pakistan. The helicopter crew realized their mistake as soon as they saw railroads, which were not present in Afghanistan at that time. == Operators ==

• Former Operators • == See also ==