One Step Beyond – Mines – Angola – VS-50

VS-50 is a resilient plastic-cased scatterable Anti-Personnel (AP) blast mine. The mine is constructed from three main assemblies: the top and bottom screw onto a central section housing the fuze mechanism. The black neoprene pressure pad, reinforced with either a metal or plastic plate (specified by the customer), seals the cavity in the top section of the mine. In the central section, the fuze has a spring-loaded striker retained by a bar on a pivoted shutter. There is also a small inflatable bladder and a red plastic safety pin to prevent the shutter from pivoting. The base section holds the main charge and has a central threaded detonator well. During transit a blue plug is fitted; this is replaced by the body-coloured stab-sensitive M41 detonator assembly during arming. An electronic anti-handling version of this mine (VS-50 EO3) was also produced. The mine was manufactured in olive green and sand colours, with other options available.

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