{{Short description|Soviet helicopter minelaying system}} [[File:Mi-8MTVSM-1_with_a_VSM-1_minelaying_device.jpg|thumb|389x389px|A Mi-8MT helicopter with a VSM-1 minelaying device of the [[Russian Air Force]].]] '''VSM-1''' ([[Russian language|Russian:]] ВСМ-1'''—В'''ертолетная '''С'''истема '''М'''инирования-1) is a Soviet helicopter-based remote mining system. It can be mounted on various variants of the [[Mil Mi-8]] helicopter, particularly the '''Mi-8T''' and '''Mi-8MT'''. It is capable of deploying a range of high explosive and fragmentation mines.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Минирование. Сайт Министерства Обороны РФ |url=https://encyclopedia.mil.ru/encyclopedia/dictionary/details_rvsn.htm?id=13552@morfDictionary |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=Russian MoD |language=ru}}</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" />
The system was developed by the State Research Engineering Institute (ГНИИИ) and was manufactured by the Kazan Helicopter Production Association, which was renamed to [[Kazan Helicopters]] in 1993. It is still being produced and used today by the [[Russian Armed Forces]].<ref name=":4">{{Citation |title=Годовой отчет АО "Казанский вертолетный завод" |date=2009 |language=ru}}</ref>
== Action == The VSM-1 system is made up of 4 containers, a '''PUM-1V''' ([[Russian language|Russian:]] ''ПУМ-1В'') control panel, a '''PKPI-1''' ([[Russian language|Russian:]] ''ПКПИ-1'') control device, a '''PP-1V''' ([[Russian language|Russian:]] ''ПП-1В'') electronics test panel and a container lifting & suspension system.<ref name=":3">{{cite book |title=Средства Механизации Минирования |date=1980 |publisher=Министерство Обороны СССР |pages=194–229 |language=ru}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=January 1996 |title=INSTANT OBSTACLES: RUSSIAN REMOTELY DELIVERED MINES |url=https://community.apan.org/cfs-file/__key/docpreview-s/00-00-08-12-95/1996_2D00_01_2D00_01-Instant-Obstacles_2D00_-Russian-Remotely-Delivered-Mines-_2800_D_2D00_Aria-and-Grau_2900_.pdf}}</ref>
Depending on the configuration, a Mi-8 equipped with VSM-1 can spray from 116 to 8352 mines in under a minute.<ref name=":3"></ref> 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.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last1=Марковский |first1=Виктор |title=Ми-8. Полвека в строю. |last2=Приходченко |first2=Игорь |date=2022-04-16 |isbn=9785040040957 |language=ru}}</ref>
== Use == [[File:LoadingBCM1Mi8MT.jpg|alt=|thumb|313x313px|A [[Russian Air Force]] 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.<ref name=":0"></ref><ref name=":3"></ref> 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.<ref name=":0"></ref><ref name=":3"></ref><ref name=":1"></ref> The mines are commonly used in tandem with bombing runs, preventing the enemy from properly navigating the ruins, resulting in more effective mine use.<ref name=":1" />
== Specifications ==
* '''Container size:'''<ref name=":3" /> 1884x410x630 mm * '''Weight:'''<ref name=":3"></ref> ** Loaded container: {{Cvt|347|kg|lb|lk=on}} ** Empty container: {{Cvt|71|kg|lb|lk=on}} ** Control panel: {{Cvt|17|kg|lb|lk=on}} {| class="wikitable" |+Mines utilized by VSM-1<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE GUIDE FOR UKRAINE |url=https://www.gichd.org/fileadmin/GICHD-resources/rec-documents/GICHD_Explosive_Ordnance_Guide_for_Ukraine_2022_v18.pdf |access-date=2022-08-02 |website=GICHD |publisher=Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining |archive-date=2022-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216214836/https://www.gichd.org/fileadmin/GICHD-resources/rec-documents/GICHD_Explosive_Ordnance_Guide_for_Ukraine_2022_v18.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":32">{{cite book |title=Инженерные Боеприпасы. Руководство по материальной части и применению. Книга шестая. |date=1988 |publisher=Военное издательство министерства обороны СССР |location=г.Москва |pages=13–21 |language=ru}}</ref><ref name=":33">{{cite book |title=Инженерные Боеприпасы. Руководство по материальной части и применению. |publisher=Военное издательство министерства обороны СССР |year=1987 |edition=5th |location=г. Москва |pages=4–8 |language=ru}}</ref> !Cassette !Mine !Number !Number in cassette |- |KSF-1 |[[PFM-1 mine|PFM-1]] |8352 |72 |- |KSF-1S |[[PFM-1 mine|PFM-1S]] |7424 |64 |- |KSF-1S-0.5 |[[PFM-1 mine|PFM-1 and PFM-1S]] |8352 - 4176 PFM1 & 4176 PFM-1S |36 PFM-1 & 36 PFM-1S |- |KPTM-3 |[[PTM-3 mine|PTM-3]] |116 |1 |- |KSO-1 |[[POM-1]] |928 |8 |- |KPOM-2 |[[POM-2 mine|POM-2]] |464 |4<!-- There is data on PMD-4 being used on VSM-1. Would be appreciated if someone could find a traditional source on it. --> |} * '''Minefield sizes''' '''''(up to)''''':<ref name=":3"></ref> ** Anti-tank: {{Cvt|400|m|ft|lk=on}} ** Anti-personnel: {{Cvt|4000|m|ft|lk=on}} ** Anti-amphibious: {{Cvt|1500|m|ft|lk=on}} * Temperature range of use:<ref name=":3" /> {{Cvt|-40 to +40|C|F}} * Average density of the minefield:<ref name=":3"></ref> ** [[High explosive]]: 3-5 pcs/m ** [[Fragmentation (weaponry)|Fragmentation]]: 0.2-0.3 pcs/m
== Combat Use == The VSM-1, along with other minelaying systems like the BMR-2 ([[Cyrillic|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]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name="Tanner">{{cite book |last=Tanner |first=Stephen |title="Afghanistan: A Military History"}}</ref>
=== 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 [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8MT]] helicopters of the 335th OBVP (from Rus. Otdelʹnyy Boevoy Vertolëtnyy Polk) helicopter combat regiment, escorted by two [[Mil Mi-24|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.<ref name=":1"></ref>
== Operators ==
* {{flag|Russia}}
=== Former Operators ===
* {{USSR}}<ref name=":1" />
== See also ==
* [[PFM-1]] * [[Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan]] * [[Organization for Mine Clearance and Afghan Rehabilitation]] * [[PMN mine]] * [[PTM-3 mine]]
== Notes == {{Notelist-lr}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Land mines of the Soviet Union]] [[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1980s]]