The US Army is developing “countermeasures” against Russian anti-helicopter mines “Boomerang”, which may soon enter the international market. АиФ.ги I figured out what such mines are and what prospects they have on the stage of the world theater of military operations.
What is an anti-helicopter mine?
In two words, these are anti-helicopter mines «Boomerang» are flying ammunition. The first such developments were taken up in the United States, in the late 1980s, the Agency for Advanced Research Projects began creating an autonomous anti-aircraft missile capable of independently detecting aerial targets and intercepting.GkNIPAS was engaged in the development of a domestic mine. The work was carried out in 2001-2011 in accordance with the state defense order. In fact, this is an additional means for organizing an air defense system. Now, with the advent of UAVs, such mines have become more relevant. After all, it is irrational to use air defense systems with expensive missiles on drones.
Anti-helicopter mines «Boomerang » can be installed manually or with the help of special equipment that performs automatic installation. It is assumed that they can be used in the areas of airfields, landing zones and any other places where helicopters can fly low.
How do such mines work?
The mines operate using an acoustic-infrared sensor. It first detects the noise of a helicopter at a distance of up to 3.2 km, and then launches a projectile at an identified object when it is within 150 meters. When the helicopter enters the mine strike zone, it instantly shoots back and hits the helicopter. The main goals are an engine or a screw. A mine shot towards a helicopter from a distance of 100 meters can penetrate 12 mm of steel armor. Experts believe that there are no means of protection against mines. Only sappers on the ground can neutralize it, or rather, destroy it. It is impossible to detect it from the air due to its small size.
The mine is equipped with an automatic fuse — it is capable of self-destructing if, after a specified time, it does not «shoot » at the target.
The Russian Boomerang weighs 12 kg, 6.4 of which is the mass of the explosive. The PVM switches from standby mode to operating mode in 1.5 seconds.
What are they for?
The anti-helicopter mine “Boomerang” serves to protect military and civilian objects from helicopter attacks, to protect areas of the seashore where helicopter landing is possible, to protect minefields from helicopter mine clearance, to block enemy airfield runways, to block places where spare airfields or dispersal airfields can be deployed, to psychologically influence the helicopter pilot in order to compel piloting at high altitudes.
How are they installed?
Manually or with the help of ground or aviation means, and quite quickly. During the exercises, the military personnel of the engineering and sapper units of the Western Military District worked out anti-helicopter mining in less than an hour. During this time, the sappers covered the line with a length of more than three kilometers.
The installation of PVM is even faster from helicopters. In flight, such a mine manages to take a stable position – with the sight up, and when in contact with the ground, it independently “cocks the combat trigger”.
What are the prospects?
These mines were adopted by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in 2012, but they were not used in combat operations, because Russia did not participate in conflicts where the enemy had helicopters in service.
The developer of the system is the L.K. Safronov State State-owned Scientific Testing Ground of Aviation Systems (GkNIPAS), the founder and owner of which is the National Research Center “The Zhukovsky Institute”. Currently, GkNIPAS specialists are conducting preparatory work with Rosoboronexport JSC to promote the anti-helicopter mine to international markets.
Who will they sell them to?
Currently, GkNIPAS specialists are negotiating with several possible customers. With which ones — it is unknown. Theoretically, the Russian PVM may be of interest to countries that are in a state of conflict and where combat drones are used (Syria, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan). Recall that such a mine can react not only to helicopters, but also to drones, and there are a lot of them flying in this area. Also, the customers of Russian PVM can be the countries of Southeast Asia, China, India, Vietnam.