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Specifications for the Use of Mechanical Demining Machines on Mined Areas in BiH

Areas declared as minefields based on survey Level 1 to Level 3 require a 100-percent quality control with man/dog teams after the mechanical demining process, as machines used today are ground preparation machines only. It is basic knowledge in the car and aircraft industry that quality cannot be inspected—quality has to be guaranteed by the process. MineWolf improves the quality of the demining process compared to flail machines in the following ways:

• Two demining operations (flail = rough; tiller = fine)
• Ground penetration depth of 30 cm
• Multiple operations with the tiller (if required)
• Breakup of partially exploded or remaining mines and explosive components not completely destroyed by the flail
• GPS navigation for directional control
• Depth control for flail and tiller
• Improved vision with optimal position of driver cabin
• Drive-control system for operator
• Control of all relevant technical data, such as penetration depth, speed of flail and tiller, vehicle speed, etc.
• Quality control with array metal detection system mounted on the back of the vehicle
• Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) for machine and process

The MineWolf clearing a minefield.

Functional Testing by BWB (German Army), RUAG (Tunnel Test) and ITEP (Flail System)

A functional prototype vehicle was tested by the German army at their test fields in Koblenz and Meppen. Ninety-five inert test mines, AP and AT mines of different types, were buried up to 30 cm deep at different ground conditions. The aim of the test was to measure clearance effectiveness. The German army came to the following conclusion: “All mines and mine parts detonated by the MineWolf have been destroyed leading to a minefield without danger.”

Based on RUAG’s broad expertise in testing armoured vehicles, we decided to test the protective features with a functional full-scale model in the test tunnel of the Swiss army. The test demonstrated that the MineWolf is protected against AP mines with up to two kg of TNT and against AT mines with up to 7.5 kg of TNT. The health risk of the driver was investigated by means of a dummy. The test proved that the tiller system and the mechanical power drive are very robust. The driver is safe under all conditions.

The International Test and Evaluation Program (ITEP) tested the flail system on a British army test field in Shoeburyness against AP and AT mines with up to 7.5 kg of TNT. (Based on an Armtrac 100 Tractor; Armtrac is the supplier of the flail system). The two AT-sized blasts provided useful information. The most significant conclusion is that the flail unit is well-designed for the venting of large explosive blasts.

Tests on the MineWolf helped determine that the flail unit is designed for venting large explosive blasts.

Summary

Based on the positive test results, the MineWolf Toolbox System will lead to improvements over today’s mechanical technology in the following areas:

• Demining effectiveness and quality of demining process
• Weight
• Transport and mobility
• Investment
• Operational costs
• Production time (the machine can be manufactured within four months)
• Ability to be used for multiple purposes in land preparation

The MineWolf operates in minefields near Sarajevo from July until September, managed by the German humanitarian organisation HELP. The demining project is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany.

*All photos courtesy of the author.

References

1. Mechanical Demining Equipment Catalogue 2003, Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, Lieutenant-Colonel Johannes Dirscherl.
2. The Use of Mechanical Means for Humanitarian Demining Operation, Handicap International.
3. Journal of Mine Action Issue 7.1 2003, “Use of Mechanical Equipment in Mine Clearance,” Johannes Dirscherl, GICHD.
4. Conference on Demining Technology, Brüssel 18–19. April 2002.

Contact Information

Heinz Rath
Safety Technology System (STS)
Engineering/Consulting
Sebastian-Kneipp-Str. 73a
D 56179 Vallendar
Germany
Tel: +49 261 6 679 628
Fax: +49 261 6 679 629
E-mail: h.rath@minewolf.com