In response to worldwide requirements for Humanitarian Demining, Schiebel Technology, Inc., an independent U.S. based corporation, has focused on the research, development, and production of the CAMCOPTER Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System particularly germane to mechanically assisted landmine detection and clearance

Gendron, Theodore R.

English

James Madison University

Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction Volume 3 Issue 2 The Journal of Mine Action Article 7 June 1999 MECHANICALLY ASSISTED LANDMINE CLEARANCE AND DETECTION Theodore R. Gendron Schiebel Technology, Inc. Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal  Part of the Defense and Security Studies Commons, Emergency and Disaster Management Commons, Other Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons, and the Peace and Conflict Studies Commons Recommended Citation Gendron, Theodore R. (1999) "MECHANICALLY ASSISTED LANDMINE CLEARANCE AND DETECTION," Journal of Mine Action : Vol. 3 : Iss. 2 , Article 7. Available at: https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol3/iss2/7 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction by an authorized editor of JMU Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact dc_admin@jmu.edu. 1/6/16, 3:47 PMMechanically Assisted Landmine Clearance and Detection, by Theodore R. Gendron (3.2)Page 1 of 6http://www.jmu.edu/cisr/journal/3.2/focus/schiebel_mad/schiebel.htm MECHANICALLY ASSISTED LANDMINE CLEARANCEAND DETECTIONBy Theodore R. Gendron, Schiebel Technology, Inc.Issue 3.2 | June 1999Information in this issue may be out of date. Click here to link to the mostrecent issue.THE PROBLEMEradication of landmines throughout the world requires the development oftechnology and mechanical systems that are flexible, reliable, cost-effective, and able to perform landmine detection and mapping ofenormous reaches of land. The United States Department of State estimatesthat 80-110 million landmines litter the world. This prevents growth anddevelopment in emerging and redeveloping countries, impedes repairs toinfrastructure, and destroys the lives of people living near the minefields.As a result, the United States established the Demining Assistance Programto initiate research and development into cost-effective technologies forwide area detection, marking, and mapping of landmines.In response to worldwide requirements for Humanitarian Demining,Schiebel Technology, Inc., an independent U.S. based corporation, hasfocused on the research, development, and production of theCAMCOPTER Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System particularly germane tomechanically assisted landmine detection and clearance.A SOLUTION FROM SCHIEBEL TECHNOLOGY: THE CAMCOPTER™UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE SYSTEM (UAV)CAMCOPTER is an unmannedremote controlled/autonomousVertical Takeoff and Landing(VTOL) aerial platform. Althoughthere is a wide range of civilianand military applications for thissystem, CAMCOPTER has beenparticularly successful during Testand Evaluation flights specificallyfor the detection, identification,mapping, and marking oflandmines. The System iscomprised of the Aerial Vehicle,the Ground Station, and Support Equipment.1Gendron: MECHANICALLY ASSISTED LANDMINE CLEARANCE AND DETECTIONPublished by JMU Scholarly Commons, 19991/6/16, 3:47 PMMechanically Assisted Landmine Clearance and Detection, by Theodore R. Gendron (3.2)Page 2 of 6http://www.jmu.edu/cisr/journal/3.2/focus/schiebel_mad/schiebel.htmFor the purpose of landmine detection, the UAV employs an Inertial Navigation System(INS) coupled with a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) for precisepositioning, and an Electro-Optical/Infrared Sensor (EO/IR) suite attached to theuniversal payload mounting base. The UAV is currently powered by a 15 HP two-strokeengine, allowing approximately 55 lbs. of payload. It cruises comfortably at 45 mphwith a maximum speed of 56 mph and provides up to two hours of flight time out to 10km of range.The payload base, located directly below the main rotor vertical shaft, maximizes thepayload weight while remaining within center of gravity limits. Typically, the payloadstation is used for mounting cameras, sensors, dispensing pods, or pendants for insertingand extracting external loads. However, many more applications are obvious. Theengine powers three generators that produce 300 watts of power for the electronicsmodule and payload power requirements. Efforts are underway to integrate and test a 38HP engine that will provide 900 watts of power, plus additional altitude and liftcapabilities.The Ground Station is a vehicle-mountedWindows NT computer system that allows theoperator to conduct mission planning, missioncontrol, view real-time video and data displays,and control the payload via video and data links tothe UAV. The Mission Planning Computerprovides images to a 20" LCD TFT color displayallowing the operator to simultaneously view allmission critical information on pull downwindows. This computer is the means by whichlandmines may be precisely located and mapped.The Geographical Information System windowdisplays a digital map, selected GPS waypoints,pre-planned and actual route of flight, vehicle andtarget icons, and markers for position of sensor images. The Camera window displayslive images from onboard cameras. These include the fixed mount CCD NavigationCamera providing color or black and white video for navigation and situationalorientation and the IR/EO gimbal-mounted cameras for landmine detection andsurveillance. The third display on the screen is the Mission Data window which givesflight time, time of return, UAV and sensor point of vision (target) position, and statusinformation. The Flight Control Computer provides data link information to the UAV ascontrol commands based on pre-planned mission data or manual flight control inputsfrom the Pilot Control Unit.2Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 3, Iss. 2 [1999], Art. 7https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol3/iss2/71/6/16, 3:47 PMMechanically Assisted Landmine Clearance and Detection, by Theodore R. Gendron (3.2)Page 3 of 6http://www.jmu.edu/cisr/journal/3.2/focus/schiebel_mad/schiebel.htmThe operator may select from four modes of flight at any given time during the mission.In the Auto Mode, the flight control computers automatically direct the AV along a pre-planned mission program at a pre-planned altitude and speed. In the Manual Mode, theoperator controls the AV manually using a joystick. The unique feature in the ManualMode is that even when the operator is flying manually, flight stability is provided bythe onboard computers. The operator is simply providing input to the computer with thejoystick. This feature minimizes the training requirement for the operators. Aviationexperience is not required to operate the system effectively.At any point during an Auto mission, the operator may select the Manual Mode andtake control manually to perform maneuvers or conduct an intense search of an area. Hemay then either continue manually or return to the Auto Mode and resume the pre-planned automatic mission.The Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Mode is used for takeoff and landing as wellas close in-area search. In this mode, the system reduces the AV’s reaction to manualcommands allowing the operator to concentrate more on flight conditions or sensor datafor a more precise search in the vicinity of the landmines.Lastly, the Home Mode provides an automatic return to the pre-selected home point. Itmay be selected manually, or is automatically invoked if the data link to the GroundStation is lost. During mission planning, the Ground Station operator programs thesoftware with the Home Mode instructions. Typically the AV is programmed to hoverfor a selected period of time, and climb to attempt to reestablish the data link. If the linkis not established, the AV returns to the home point via direct or outbound route (aspreprogrammed by the operator).3Gendron: MECHANICALLY ASSISTED LANDMINE CLEARANCE AND DETECTIONPublished by JMU Scholarly Commons, 19991/6/16, 3:47 PMMechanically Assisted Landmine Clearance and Detection, by Theodore R. Gendron (3.2)Page 4 of 6http://www.jmu.edu/cisr/journal/3.2/focus/schiebel_mad/schiebel.htmComplementary to this capability are the multi-functional remote control features of theEO/IR suite, providing precise standoff survey capability. The payload controls provideremote focus, zoom, and precision auto-tracking capability. The operator can use thesecapabilities to conduct very precise surveys at varying altitudes in a variety ofenvironmental conditions.The Support Equipment for CAMCOPTER includes the antenna array and mast, theremote ground power/starter unit (that falls away from the UAV before takeoff), agenerator, and cabling. The entire CAMCOPTER system including the UAV iscontained inside a Ford Expedition giving no outward appearance of the functionalmission.The system is simple to operate and may be employed quickly. Once an operatinglocation is selected, the two operators can unload, assemble, and prepare for takeoff in a20 minute period. No additional support equipment or specialized surface is needed.OTHER APPLICATIONS OF THE CAMCOPTER4Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 3, Iss. 2 [1999], Art. 7https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol3/iss2/71/6/16, 3:47 PMMechanically Assisted Landmine Clearance and Detection, by Theodore R. Gendron (3.2)Page 5 of 6http://www.jmu.edu/cisr/journal/3.2/focus/schiebel_mad/schiebel.htmIn support of the U.S. Army Humanitarian Demining Research and DevelopmentProgram at the Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate at Ft Belvoir, VA,Schiebel Technology, Inc. has conducted a series of wide area mine detection test andevaluation missions using the CAMCOPTER with the EO/IR Gimbal sensor. The "minelanes" at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia provides and ideal test site with various types of soiland vegetation where a variety of mines have been buried for over two years. Theaverage depth of the mines is 2-6 inches. The images of the landmines collected duringthe tests clearly show the location, shape, and size of buried mines. These testsvalidated the ability of CAMCOPTER to detect buried landmines and retain preciselocation using the DGPS data. During these tests it became evident that a VTOLplatform proved to be a highly responsive standoff detection tool.To date, the CAMCOPTER Team has focused on the Infrared sensor as the sensor ofchoice for landmine detection, however several other capabilities are being activelyresearched. In keeping with incorporating off-the-shelf technology to the maximumextent possible, Schiebel is exploring the utility and reliability of five key technologiesto enhance the "tool kit" of the demining professional.Ground Penetrating RadarVapor Sample CollectorLarge Format Mapping CameraImproved Fixed Mount Infrared CameraExplosives PlacementThe Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is currently being tested and flown on fixed wingplatforms and is readily adaptable to CAMCOPTER. This system incorporates aSynthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), which collects data along the mission path. The SARimage yields high resolution with reduced ground clutter. This low-cost system surveysat the rate of 10 to 40+ acres per hour using a standoff, oblique angle technique forproducing true 3D images. The oblique angle technique allows the energy transmittedthrough the surface to be maximized, reducing surface backscatter and improving thevisibility of near surface buried mines.The Vapor Sample Collector is an adaptation of the South African MEDDS system. TheCAMCOPTER carries a vacuum pump, suspended collection intake system, andcollection tubes on board. The Ground Station maps the precise location where samplesare taken and the collected air samples are returned for analysis by dogs or a laboratory.This provides a safe low-cost means to conduct a rapid area survey to detect thepresence of explosive vapors or verify that an area has been cleared.Deminers need adequate and up-to-date maps from which to conduct their operations.The Large Format Mapping Camera takes aerial photographs of what the minefieldlooks like today, which can then be tailored to meet current needs. This system can alsobe digitally reproduced to serve as the CAMCOPTER map.There certainly will be instances when non-government organizations in particularwould prefer a lower cost alternative to the gimbaled IR. The Improved Fixed Mount IRCamera provides capabilities similar to the gimbal system at a reduced cost, making it5Gendron: MECHANICALLY ASSISTED LANDMINE CLEARANCE AND DETECTIONPublished by JMU Scholarly Commons, 19991/6/16, 3:47 PMMechanically Assisted Landmine Clearance and Detection, by Theodore R. Gendron (3.2)Page 6 of 6http://www.jmu.edu/cisr/journal/3.2/focus/schiebel_mad/schiebel.htman attractive alternative. Although forfeiting some of the gimbal features, this camera iswell suited to landmine survey techniques.Explosives placement for landmine clearing may be accomplished by precisely placingsmall explosive charges using the onboard cameras. The charges may then be detonatedremotely from a standoff position. CAMCOPTER has tested for the precise placementof external loads with resounding success.THE FUTURE OF THE CAMCOPTERAs Humanitarian Demining efforts continue throughout the world, CAMCOPTERprovides the appropriate low-cost technology to perform a variety of standoff landminedetection and clearance support operations while keeping personnel at a safe distancefrom the landmines. The CAMCOPTER Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System introduces anew generation of standoff landmine detection equipment that promises a breakthroughin demining survey, detection, and clearance capabilities. 6Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 3, Iss. 2 [1999], Art. 7https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol3/iss2/7

MECHANICALLY ASSISTED LANDMINE CLEARANCE AND DETECTION

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MECHANICALLY ASSISTED LANDMINE CLEARANCE AND DETECTION

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