HD R&D Field Evaluation: Target Reaquisition and Positioning System (TRPS)

The Target Reacquisition Positioning System (TRPS) is a dual-purpose, target reacquisition and survey tool. TRPS is a lightweight, low-cost and highly accurate system that simplifies the use of Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) for reacquiring ground target positions previously identified UXO detection systems. TRPS is also a surveying tool that provides the ability to quickly survey boundaries, locations of items found, or mark other points of interest with centimeter level accuracy. The Minefield Management Tool provides real-time data logging capabilities for demining managers. Modules provide mapping, survey, equipment, target/data, incident and personnel management capabilities. Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release

HD R&D Field Evaluation: Light Soil Sifter

The light/sandy soil sifting project is evaluating the feasibility and operational suitability of using commercial beach-cleaning technologies to remove mines and clutter from sandy and mechanically prepared soils. Demining applications envisioned for these systems are removal of mines from sandy and other light soils, raking surface soil to collect clutter, and assisting with inspection and quality assurance behind mechanical clearance equipment. Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release

Aardvark Mark IV Joint Services Flail Unit Capabilities Demonstration

The Aardvark Clear Mine, Limited (a private British company) of Scotland has been designing and producing a variety of mechanical minefield clearance machines for seventeen (17) years. The Mark IV Joint Services Flail Unit (MKIV, see picture 1 on the next page) has been in production since 1999, and it is the product of years of improvement to the Aardvark Flail System basic design. Improvements affect engine performance, flail depth, flail control, steering control, operator safety, operator comfort, navigation and maintenance. The steering control (dual steering) can be switched from the operator (in the left seat) to the operator (in the right seat) and vice versa. Because the MKIV creates dust and works in many hostile environments, Mark IV Joint Services Flail Unit Page 2 Capabilities Demonstration Report dual steering is fitted as an aid the operators. The dual steering limits wind direction problems and downtime. During mine clearing operations, the MKIV can clear heavy brush and trees with a diameter of up to 15cm. The MKIV has been purchased by the countries of Canada, Jordan and South Korea. The information in this report is strictly based on the capabilities demonstration and not on a technical evaluation of this technology

HD R&D Field Evaluation: Medium Minewolf

The Medium MineWolf is a powerful remote control or manually operated mine clearing system that uses large earth tilling and flail attachments to neutralize landmines. The tiller’s teeth engage the ground to a depth of 25 centimeters, physically destroying anti-personnel (AP) and anti-tank (AT) landmines, and mulching vegetation up to 15 centimeters in diameter. The Medium MineWolf can survive both AP & AT mine blasts. Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release

HD R&D Field Evaluation: Bearcat

The Bearcat is a remote controlled, skid-steer chassis integrated with a vegetation cutter and a remote monitoring system for operation in suspect mine and UXO contaminated areas. Bearcat utilizes a completely commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS), plug-and-play, remote control system, and is designed for a wide range of area preparation tasks. The system allows demining and battle area clearance teams to quickly and efficiently remove vegetation for follow-on manual clearance teams. Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release

Tractor Accessorized Zerriest Series II

The TAZ II is a large tracked Caterpillar Graphic 1 – TAZ II Corporation vehicle (325B L Excavator) with a specialized vegetation cutting attachment developed by Timberline Environmental Services. See graphic 1. Timberline Environmental Services has been involved in vegetation clearance for nearly 23 years, supporting both civilian and military organizations. Military support missions have dealt primarily with unexploded ordnance (UXO). By utilizing the Caterpillar base carrier, the TAZ II System has the worldwide product support of the Caterpillar Corporation. The system is capable of masticating all vegetation ranging from light grasses to large trees, as well as excavating the ground. For demining purposes, this tool could be used in conjunction with other tools (rakes, magnets, rollers, etc.) to clear large areas of vegetation, allowing deminers and dogs to completely clear the area and perform quality assurance. The TAZ II is not currently armored or remote controlled to provide safety to operators, but could conceivably be modified to have these capabilities. The information in this report is strictly based on the capabilities demonstration and not on a technical field evaluation of this technology

HD R&D Field Evaluation: MANTIS

The success of the Mine Clearing Survivable Vehicle (MCSV) Proof of Performance Test was the result of the efforts of a large team of people from a number of organizations. The organizations involved were the U.S. Army’s Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) Humanitarian Demining (HD) Research and Development Office located at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia; the International Test and Evaluation Program for Humanitarian Demining (ITEP); and Pearson Engineering Ltd, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. This test was also a U.S. sponsored ITEP Test (ITEP Work Plan Number 3.2.5.). During the first phase of testing in August 2004, the Project Director, Mr. Charles Chichester, assisted by Ms. Karin Breiter, directed and oversaw the performance test of the MCSV tractor and each of the tools available at the time. During the second phase of testing in early December 2004, which was conducted with tools not available in August, Mr. Peter Reed (NVESD) was the Test Engineer. In addition to the U.S., the other ITEP participant assisting in this test was the UK, represented by Mr. Peter Blatchford and Mr. Steven Bowen from QinetiQ, Ltd., United Kingdom. Mr. Eric Read and Mr. Graham Rutherford from Pearson Engineering, Ltd., provided technical and operational insight and maintenance support for the MCSV tractor and family of tools. The operators were SFC Lawrence Jones, Mr. Christopher Andres, and Mr. Ronald Collins. Mr. Art Limerick, a member of the Development Site test staff, rendered test support in the field. Mr. Harold Bertrand, of the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), provided technical test support and was the author of this report

HD R&D Field Evaluation: Multi-Tool Excavator

Providing reach-in capability for safe operations with manned equipment, Multi-Tooled Excavators offer highly flexible platforms from which operators can conduct ground preparation and specialized mine clearing processes. The combination of tools for sifting, shredding, and combined function excavation and sifting, is tailored to suit local conditions and demining requirements. The attachments can be fitted to the demining organization`s own armored excavator. Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release

HD R&D Field Evaluation: Improved Backhoe

The Improved Backhoe is a modified commercial backhoe that incorporates a variety of commercial off-the-shelf attachments used for vegetation reduction and soil sifting in mine suspect areas. The vehicle has been modified by armoring the cab and chassis, and adding blast proof SETCO tires capable of withstanding multiple anti-personnel mine detonations. Among the attachments, the Rotar sifting bucket can safely collect, sift, and separate mines and other debris from mine suspected soil. Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release

HD R&D Field Evaluation: Traxx

Traxx is an extremely compact, remote controlled vehicle capable of working in and around slopes of up to 60 degrees. It is equipped with a variety of commercial vegetation cutting implements and custom designed mine clearing tools. At less than 1.3 tons Traxx is easily transported to remote sites and capable of climbing and working on the most challenging hillsides. The factory equipped remote control has a working range of more than 300 meters and the 1.3 meter brush cutting attachments has demonstrated excellent capability for cutting saplings and heavy brush with little residual debris. Distribution Statement A: Approved for public releas