Abstract: A vibratory countermine system and method associated with a propulsion means. The system is comprised of a ground-contacting percussion system assembly that is mounted to the front of the propulsion means. Also, a vibratory subassembly is mounted inside the ground-contacting percussion assembly for inducing vibrations in the ground. The ground-contacting percussion system is in contact with the ground ahead of the propulsion means. It transmits the vibrations, associated forces, and pressure waves below or ahead of the countermine system through the ground, thereby inducing the detonation of land mines.

Abstract: A method for conducting a search of an area for targets by a number of vehicles. First each of the vehicles randomly disperses from the other vehicles. Then during an aggregate phase, each vehicle responds in a predesignated way to an encounter with one of the other vehicles. A number of specific search strategies may be followed which tend to direct the search in a particular designated direction or allow a successful searching vehicle to set the direction of the search. This method results in improved performance in conducting searches by robots or other vehicles.

Abstract: A platform for countering terrorist devices improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that are detonated by infrared (IR) signals is used to prematurely trigger the IEDs, and scan geographic areas from covert positions to detect the planting of IEDs regardless of the fusing method. An unmanned scansorial vehicle equipped with an IR emulator can trigger IEDs to detonate as the terrorists plant them. In addition, the surveillance capabilities of the scansorial vehicles are used to identify insurgents that plant IEDs.

Abstract: Buried land mines, which are triggered by pressure, particularly anti-personnel mines which are triggered by the pressure of a person's foot, are destroyed by impinging laser beam pulses on the surface of the soil. With appropriately chosen beam parameters, a laser supported detonation is created in the atmosphere above the soil by each beam pulse impingement. That results in a blast wave within the soil, the pressure of which causes a mine trigger to explode the mine. A multiplicity of beam pulses are impinged on the soil surface in location- and time-coordination, to create a multiplicity of blast waves which provide pressure-time profiles within the shallow depth of the soil, sufficient to trigger mine types that are configured to resist triggering from a single detonation, whether induced by laser or chemical means.

Abstract: A process for accessing and defusing munitions using fluid jet technology containing abrasive material and recovering the abrasive. The explosive material can also be removed from the munition casing by fluid jet technology, after the munition has been defused.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Syntactic Landmine Detector. The syntactic landmine detector processes a received signal from a ground penetrating RADAR which contains at least one spatial sequence, the spatial sequence containing relative spatial information locating impedance discontinuities. The spatial sequence is then associated with at least one physical characteristic of a landmine.

Abstract: A plurality of embodiments of disruptor all have a container with an enclosure for explosive material with a wall which can he located in any one of a number of different positions using one or more tubular spacers (12) optionally of various sizes thereby to provide a wide range of capacity of enclosure and hence explosive material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the neutralization of improvised explosive devices by using electrical energy to render them inoperable or to explode them yards in front of a military vehicle equipped with the device. It is an object of the invention to counteract acts of terrorism by providing a safe means of transport through hostile territory by ensuring that explosive devices do not detonate directly underneath or alongside a vehicle equipped with the invention. The invention can also be carried aloft by a helicopter and used to destroy all the mines in a minefield quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of land mines and in particular to devices and techniques for neutralising and/or retrieving land mines. Existing mine retrieval/neutralisation techniques include mechanical excavation or shaped charge attack and such techniques are either susceptible to blast damage in the event of inadvertent mine explosion or can produce ambiguous results (i.e. an operator can be unsure as to whether a mine has been successfully attacked or a non-mine target has been attacked in error). The present invention provides a mine retrieval technique that involves spearing the mine for later retrieval to the surface.

Abstract: A method and system for neutralizing mines has a vehicle carrying fluid connected to a pump and cavitation pressure vessel that creates high pressure fluid. An actuator valve modifies the flow characteristics of the high pressure fluid to be pulsating at selectively different frequencies, pressures, and flow rate. Nozzles on the vehicle jet high pressure fluid therethrough and a framework on the vehicle orients the nozzles to direct the jetted flow of high pressure fluid downward and into ground under a roadway. An abrasive and/or explosive can be added to the high pressure fluid before it reaches the nozzles. The jetted flow from the nozzles can displace ground and exert pressure to detonate and cut mines and neutralize them on and under the roadway. Cavitation can be created in the jetted flow to increase the dynamic force of the jetted flow.

Abstract: A mineplough which is designed to be resilient to exploding mines comprises one or more blades set at an angle to the general direction of movement of the plough so as to deflect lifted earth to one or both sides of the plough and having tines arranged so as to lift earth ahead of the blade in the direction of travel thereof, depth control means for controlling the depth of cut of the tines and at least two linkages to connect the blade to a suitable carrier vehicle for the mineplough. The blade is comprised of a number of intersecting strong metal plates whose planes lie substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the mineplough and which define relatively narrow open channels therebetween so as to allow venting of any explosion caused by a mine exploding in contact with the blade.

Abstract: For use in landmine clearing, a hitch system providing backup with anti-jack knife and anti-dive, the system includes a hitch assembly and a roller assembly. The hitch assembly has a hinge axis housing containing a hinge shaft and a connector shaft housing containing a stop block having a first side that engages a flat region on the hinge shaft and a second side that engages a biasing spring that is held in the connector shaft housing using an end cap. The roller assembly includes a roller frame that is rigidly mechanically coupled to the hinge shaft. The biasing spring is selected to provide a compressive bias to the stop block such that the roller assembly selective rotates about the hinge axis housing when the roller assembly is subjected to a landmine detonation, and such that rotation of the hinge shaft is prevented during normal forward, reverse, and turning maneuvers.

Abstract: An elongate ballistic protection apparatus is described and claimed herein which has minimal weight and maximum flexibility to conform to the most contorted and undulating ground surfaces. In use, it is immediately positioned below a military vehicle to protect the crew compartment positioned above said apparatus by extending transversely between the propulsive means and laterally along the direction of travel for the vehicle. The apparatus may detonate mines while operated by driven engagement over mine bearing terrains, but it will do so in a manner sufficient to defeat them without inducing unacceptable damages to either the vehicle or crew. Thereby, this invention provides a means to effectively disrupt the firing sequence of the explosive charges in these mines by contact with my minimal weight roller link chain. Beneficially, the blast gasses and ejecta of the mine simply vents through the open areas of my chain. This is a substantial improvement over devices having solid configurations or geometries.

Abstract: The invention, as embodied herein, comprises an aiming device that is attached to the end of the barrel of a dearmer or gun system in order to more quickly and more precisely align the dearmer or gun system with precise, small target. The aiming device also ensures that the dearmer or gun system remains at the minimum standoff distance required without the need to specifically measure the placement.

Abstract: Devices for navigating in a fluid medium having a solid boundary include a vehicle body and a fin attached to the vehicle body. The fin is configured to oscillate relative to the body such that interaction between the fin and the fluid medium produces propulsive forces that propel the vehicle body in a desired direction in the fluid medium. The fin is also configured to rotate relative to the body along a transverse axis such that engagement between the fin and the solid boundary propels the vehicle body in a desired direction on the solid boundary.

Abstract: An underwater mine warfare countermeasure system is disclosed in which an air cushion vehicle carries a magnetic field generating system capable of generating a magnetic field pattern beneath the vehicle which extends sufficiently far from the vehicle in all directions to activate a magnetically responsive detonator in a mine while the vehicle is out of range of the explosive force of the mine. The magnetic field generating system generally is composed of a plurality of closed loop coils mounted on the deck of the vehicle, one coil being horizontal and in the plane of the deck, and another three being in vertical planes spaced along the length of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for neutralization of the explosive content of mines and UXO by essentially completely consuming the explosive by combustion or decomposition before any explosion occurs. A charge of a compound that reacts with an extremely high heat-release rate is ignited on or near the casing of the device to be neutralized. The intense exothermic reaction generates high temperature combustion products that will disrupt the casing, thus leading to combustion or decomposition of the explosive. The holes melted in the mine casing enable ignition of a large area of the explosive charge and provide easy access for atmospheric air to support active burnout of the explosive. The apparatus comprises the compound that reacts with a high heat release rate, an ignition source, and a container for the assembly.

Abstract: A land mine pressure fuse avoidance system has a base. A tread on the base contacts the ground around a land mine and independently distributes pressures around the ground. The tread has plural independent closed cell foam rubber elements. Each element is separated from adjacent elements for independently supporting only a portion of a load on the base, while other similarly independent elements support remaining portion of the load. The base is a cylindrical tire, a continuous track, a shoe sole attachment or a robotic foot, and the tread is conformed to and extends outward from the base. The independent elements of the tread are made of closed cell foam rubber formed as a tread on the base with notches between adjacent elements of the tread. Notches extend longitudinally along the tread, and notches extend across the tread, forming block shaped elements extending from the base.

Abstract: A device for countermeasuring an underwater target is provided. The device generally comprises a module having inflatable buoyancy chambers that allow the module to hover at a desired water depth, at least one acoustic array to detect the underwater target, a propulsor system for orienting the module with respect to the underwater target, and a gun for firing one or more projectiles at the underwater target.

Abstract: A mine detonating apparatus to be mounted to an armoured personnel carrier (1) is disclosed. A front roller assembly (4) is mounted at the front of a vehicle body (2) of the armoured personnel carrier (1) to apply pressure to the ground forwardly of each track (3) of the armoured personnel carrier (1). A rear roller assembly (10) is mounted rearwardly of the vehicle body (3) to apply pressure to the ground behind the vehicle, the front and rear rollers (4, 10) being pre-loaded. The rear roller assembly (10) is connected to the vehicle body by means of hydraulic cylinders (15, 16) and a support frame (8) supporting the front roller assemblies (4) is connected to the vehicle body (2) by of a pair of hydraulic cylinders (17, 18). The hydraulic cylinders (15, 16, 17, 18) are arranged to maintain the position of the front roller assemblies forwardly of the respective tracks (3).

Abstract: A mine protection device for a wheeled vehicle having a plurality of wheels, wherein each wheel is connected to the vehicle by a wheel suspension, and the device includes: at least one sensor associated with each wheel, wherein each sensor operates to detect when the associated wheel has driven over a mine or when a proximate mine is ignited; at least one ignition and analysis unit connected to receive sensor signals from each sensor, wherein the at least one ignition and analysis unit processes individual sensor signals; and a separation means associated with each wheel, wherein the separation means operates to separate the associated wheel from the vehicle, when the associated wheel has driven over a mine or when a proximate mine has been ignited, by separating the wheel suspension connected to the associated wheel from the vehicle.

Abstract: An anti-mine unit or assembly is adapted for being mounted to a prime mover or transport vehicle to reduce the dangers when clearing minefields. The anti-mine unit includes a frame, a plurality of digging cables, a plurality of drag cables, at least one side curtain of curtain cables, a rear curtain of curtain cables, and a top plate. The anti-mine unit may include a wire cutting device and a plurality of deflector cables. Heavy tubes of thick sidewalls are welded together to form the frame from which heavy cables are supported. The digging cables, drag cables, curtain cables and deflector cables are secured to the frame such that the cables, frame, and thick top plate form a unit that digs up, exposes and/or explodes mines, keeps the explosions and shrapnel controlled, and clears a pathway for the vehicle's drive wheels or tracks.

Abstract: This invention relates to the filed of land mines and in particular to devices and techniques for neutralising and/or retrieving land mines. Existing mine retrieval/neutralisation techniques includes mechanical excavation or shaped charge attack and such techniques are either susceptible to blast damage in the event of inadvertent mine explosion or can produce ambiguous results (i.e. and operator can be unsure as to whether a mine has been successfully attacked or a non-mine target has been attacked in error). The present invention provides a mine excavation technique that involves excavation of the mine by means of an explosive charge.

Abstract: A system of identifying, classifying quantifying, notifying and neutralizing an environmental hazard comprises a field deployable marker and a remote receiving station. The field deployable marker carries a means for identifying, a means for classifying and a means for quantifying any environmental hazard. A means for notifying the remote receiving station and a means for neutralizing the identified environmental hazard are also carried by the field deployable marker wherein the means for notifying transmits data to the remote receiving station.

Abstract: A system for clearing mines and other obstacles is provided. The system mountable to a vehicle which can operate in water and on land, includes a sonar targeting system and an underwater gun system. The underwater gun system is directed by readings from the sonar targeting system and fires underwater munitions to destroy detected mines and obstacles. The pod containing the sonar targeting system and the pod containing the underwater gun system are movable to target in multiple directions with each of the pods deployed at an end of a respective deployment arm.

Abstract: An open loop magnetic field minesweeping system, with a small and light weight body to be towed through seawater by a towing cable from a helicopter or other vehicle, a single sweep cable extending rearwardly a substantial distance from the body with a first electrode in cable, sleeve or sock form attached to the end of the sweep cable, and a second electrode positioned forwardly of the body to be towed and extending along and connected to the towing cable. A rectifier and transformer on the body convert AC power fed to the towed body from the towing vehicle, to DC power applied across the first and second electrodes. A plurality of fairings attached to the towing cable each have an electrically conductive portion electrically isolated from the towing cable. The electrically conductive portions are electrically connected together to form the second electrode. Each fairing has a plastic nose piece attached to the towing cable and an electrically conductive metal tail piece.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and devices for the detection of target objects, such as landmines, using the odor characteristics which may be associated with the target objects as a way of detecting their presence. The invention includes devices used to carry out a method of training live animals, such as rats, to seek out the target objects in the field, or to localize, unearth, and mark the location thereof.

Abstract: A device operative to detect metal objects. The device includes a transmitter circuit, an upper transmitter coil and a lower transmitter coil operatively connected to the transmitter circuit. A current fed through the upper transmitter coil and the lower transmitter coil generates a field that excites eddy currents in metal objects in the vicinity of the upper transmitter coil and the lower transmitter coil. An upper magnetic field detector and a lower magnetic field detector are operative to sense eddy currents generated in the metal objects. Processor elements operatively connected to the upper magnetic field detector and the lower magnetic field detector collect, store and analyze the eddy currents and thereby determine the likelihood that a metal object has been detected. A navigation system operatively connected to the processor elements controls movement of the device.

Abstract: A system for neutralizing a buried mine includes a laser that is configured to generate laser energy that communicates through the covering ground material and accesses the mine in a manner sufficient to neutralize the mine. Neutralization can occur by deflagration or detonation. The laser includes a solid-state lasing medium that is run substantially uncooled during the lasing run. Namely, the lasing medium is operated without cooling until the lasing medium reaches a temperature where thermal population in a lower laser level begins to significantly lower inversion density. Following completion of the lasing run, the lasing medium is cooled at a rate limited only by a thermal stress fracture level of the lasing medium. Operation of the laser in this manner permits the laser to deliver high-irradiance, high-repetition rate pulses according to a burst mode operation that successfully accomplishes neutralization in a desired time period.

Abstract: A mine identification system includes a surface ship with console and display screen. An untethered unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) has a video camera and high-resolution sonar providing high-resolution images for the screen, a transducer/transceiver projecting acoustic signals representative of the high-resolution signals through water and receiving acoustic control signals from the console. A search-sonar and acoustic transducer are connected to the ship, console, and screen. The search sonar projects acoustic signals and receives portions of the projected acoustic signals that are reflected from mine-like contacts and UUV. The screen displays low resolution images of mine-like contacts and UUV from the reflected portions, and the acoustic transducer transmits the acoustic control signals from the console through the water to the transducer/transceiver for quickly vectoring UUV to the vicinity of the mine-like contacts to enable identification of mines from high-resolution images.

Abstract: A system and method to autonomously neutralize mines has a tracked crawler vehicle having a sealed housing, power source, and motor driven track assemblies on opposite sides of the housing. A control/communications module in the housing has a GPS processing receiver section connected to a GPS antenna that extends upwardly to receive GPS signals and generate first control signals. A gun mechanism in the housing is connected to control/communications module and has a breech assembly connected to a gun barrel extending and aiming downwardly through a bottom side of the housing toward a surface beneath the housing. Penetrating rods in the gun mechanism are fired through the gun barrel penetrating the surface and a mine. The mine is neutralized by flooding the mine with ambient water or otherwise disrupting the firing or explosive train including detonators, detonating cord, and/or the electrical continuity of components the mine.

Abstract: An apparatus to neutralize landmines using high power microwaves has a blast hardened dish antenna mounted on a vehicle along with a microwave generator and power generator A waveguide from the microwave generator feeds microwaves to a feed horn for the antenna. Plugs that are transparent to microwaves are located in the waveguide to prevent the blast wave generated by a detonated landmine from propagating inside of the waveguide and damaging the microwave generator. Flexible sections in the waveguide dampen any shock wave produced by a detonated mine from traveling along the waveguide towards the microwave generator.

Abstract: The various embodiments provide an incendiary device utilizing a multiple hollow core-burner technique that facilitates producing large diameter cuts through steel targets. To facilitate this result, the various embodiments incorporate a multiple-core burning design with multiple orifices at the base for directing multiple jets of molten reaction product at the target. The various embodiments further incorporate an optional holding device as a means for locking the device onto a target. Devices in accordance with the invention having a base diameter of 2.312″ have been shown to be capable of producing an approximately 2″ diameter hole through ¼ inch thick steel plate using a 275 g thermite charge within a container three-quarters the size of a standard AN-M14 Thermite Grenade package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to clear mines uses tag particles dropped into ambient water across a wide area by an aircraft to sink and stick to submerged mines. The tag particles each contain a gas volume dimensioned to resonate with impinging acoustic energy and reflect portions of the impinging acoustic energy from a targeted mine. An unmanned underwater vehicle platform having a sonar system provided with at least one transducer projects the acoustic energy through the ambient water. At least one hydrophone transducer in the sonar system receives the reflected portions of the projected acoustic energy to locate a targeted mine to enable its destruction by high-energy supercavitating projectiles fired from the platform. Tag particles dissolve after a period of time to provide virtually no discernable traces of a mine hunting operation.

Abstract: The invention, as embodied herein, comprises a kinetic energy driven projectile for defeating unexploded ordnance or buried land mines. This projectile has been developed to address the specific problem with similar devices in that the kinetic energy by itself does not sufficiently fracture the explosive material within a mine in order to fully defeat the mine. This invention adds a small amount of insensitive high explosive material but that is cap sensitive to one tip of the projectile, along with a novel initiation mechanism, so that the detonation of the high explosive material can more fully fracture the explosive material within a mine. This allows a neutralization agent to completely react with all of the explosive material within the mine, thereby consuming the entire fill.

Abstract: This invention relates to the filed of land mines and in particular to devices and techniques for neutralising and/or retrieving land mines. Existing mine retrieval/neutralisation techniques include mechanical excavation or shaped charge attack and such techniques are either susceptible to blast damage in the event of inadvertent mine explosion or can produce ambiguous results (i.e. an operator can be unsure as to whether a mine has been successfully attacked or a non-mine target has been attacked in error). The present invention provides a mine excavation technique that involves excavation of the mine by means of an explosive charge.

Abstract: An open loop magnetic field minesweeping system, with a small and light weight body to be towed through seawater by a towing cable from a helicopter or other vehicle, a single sweep cable extending rearwardly a substantial distance from the body with a first electrode in cable, sleeve or sock form attached to the end of the sweep cable, and a second electrode positioned forwardly of the body to be towed and extending along and connected to the towing cable. A rectifier and transformer on the body convert AC power fed to the towed body from the towing vehicle, to DC power applied across the first and second electrodes. A plurality of fairings attached to the towing cable each have an electrically conductive portion electrically isolated from the towing cable. The electrically conductive portions are electrically connected together to form the second electrode. Each fairing has a plastic nose piece attached to the towing cable and an electrically conductive metal tail piece.

Abstract: A mine detonating apparatus to be mounted to an armoured personnel carrier (1) is disclosed. A front roller assembly (4) is mounted at the front of a vehicle body (2) of the armoured personnel carrier (1) to apply pressure to the ground forwardly of each track (3) of the armoured personnel carrier (1). A rear roller assembly (10) is mounted rearwardly of the vehicle body (3) to apply pressure to the ground behind the vehicle, the front and rear rollers (4, 10) being pre-loaded. The rear roller assembly (10) is connected to the vehicle body by means of hydraulic cylinders (15, 16) and a support frame (8) supporting the front roller assemblies (4) is connected to the vehicle body (2) by of a pair of hydraulic cylinders (17, 18). The hydraulic cylinders (15, 16, 17, 18) are arranged to maintain the position of the front roller assemblies forwardly of the respective tracks (3).

Abstract: A mine detector is provided for detecting buried land mines safely and promptly. A sensor head (12) is connected to a detector body (1) through hinges (11-1 to 11-4) and arms (12-1 to 12-3). The sensor head (12) includes a transmitting and receiving means for emitting electromagnetic impulses to the ground within a range of detection of land mines. When the transmitting and receiving means receives electromagnetic waves reflected from a land mine, information on the three-dimensional structure of the land mine buried under the ground is generated on the basis of the time of arrival of the reflected wave, the level of the reflected wave and the x and y coordinates of the transmitting and receiving means, and the information is displayed on a display (1). The detector is also applicable to the inspection of steel rods and bars for concrete reinforcement.

Abstract: A projectile for the destruction of unexploded ordnance comprising a dart shell having a core region which contains a reactive composition comprised of a reactive metal and an oxidizer. The reactive metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, lithium, beryllium, zirconium, thorium, uranium, hafnium, alloys thereof, hydrides thereof, and combinations thereof. The oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of lithium perchlorate, magnesium perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, chlorates, peroxides, and combinations thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the reactive composition is located on the outside of a center penetrating rod. Also included is a disposable apparatus for delivering a projectile to destroy unexploded ordnance. The apparatus is comprised of a block having a top and a bottom, the block comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of wood and polymeric resin.

Abstract: An apparatus to neutralize landmines using high power microwaves has a blast hardened dish antenna mounted on a vehicle along with a microwave generator and power generator A waveguide from the microwave generator feeds microwaves to a feed horn for the antenna. Plugs that are transparent to microwaves are located in the waveguide to prevent the blast wave generated by a detonated landmine from propagating inside of the waveguide and damaging the microwave generator. Flexible sections in the waveguide dampen any shock wave produced by a detonated mine from traveling along the waveguide towards the microwave generator.

Abstract: A self contained, affordable, riding operator controlled machine for safely discharging land mines in farm lands and other accessible areas. The operator is well protected by heavy steel plates and sits 10 feet behind the mine discharge. The mine explosion is directed away from the operator. The heavy steel structure of the machine is designed to withstand the explosive force of anti-personnel land mines. Should an anti-tank mine be encountered, some damage would probably occur, but the operator should be unharmed. The machine (prototype) is designed to clear a 4 foot wide path and clear 1 acre in 2 to 4 hours depending upon the ground conditions. If desired, the described machine could be remotely operated. Such operation would be desired where anti-tank mines or heavy concentration of unexploded ordinance is anticipated.

Abstract: A delivery system (20) for a warhead (3) for neutralization of mines, having an orientation device. The fragmentation warhead (3) is triggered over a visible mine or, over the position of a mine that is optically marked and/or the coordinates of which are known. The triggering of warhead (3) destroys a mine up to a depth of 30 centimeters below the surface. A throwing system with controllable spring tension energy is employed, which has, when compared with a conventional mortar, a higher quality of reproducibility in its starting speed, smaller starting mistakes by means of precise roller bearing guides (6) during the acceleration phase, and temperature independence due to the measuring the energy of the springs (1) during the tensioning process by electric motors. Three microreaction drive mechanisms (15) are provided to correct the flight path, along with a sensor (14) that measures flight path deviation.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a vessel having means at the bow of the vessel to direct a water flow ahead of the vessel downwardly towards the sea bed in front of and to either side of the path of the vessel to displace material from the sea bed including any weapon system or obstacles on or buried in the sea bed away from the path of the vessel.

Abstract: A method and device to neutralize influence mines has a control module to generate signals representative of acoustic and magnetic signatures of a ship. These representative signals will either detonate the threat mines or ensure that transiting ships will not set off the mines. An acoustic transducer array is coupled to the module to transmit acoustic signals representative of the acoustic portion of the signatures. A magnetic signal transmitter is coupled to the module to transmit magnetic signals representative of the magnetic portion of the signatures. An anchor is connected to the module, acoustic array, and magnetic signal transmitter to hold them at the ocean bottom, and a buoy is connected to the module, acoustic transducer array, and magnetic signal transmitter to hold the device vertically.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement to mitigate damage to a rotary cultivator type mine clearer. In the event of detonations, triggered by the mine clearance tool, the present invention acts to mitigate damage to the mine-clearing tool, the mechanical mine clearer drive function, and its suspension. Detonation forces are, in a first stage, damped by hydraulic and/or mechanical damping members which are coupled between the bearing points of the tool and the engine driving the tool and which connect those parts to form a combined unit. If the detonation force is not absorbed, then, in a second stage, the detonation force remaining after the first stage damping, is counter to some of the combined weight of a unit formed by the tool, its bearings and the engine driving the tool.

Abstract: A mine sweeping and clearing system (100) includes one or two carrier vehicles (1, 10, 11), with an advance-detonation device (2) for detonating mines located at or near the surface, and a mine-sensor assembly (3) that utilizes various physical effects to identify unambiguously as mines and locate deeper-buried mines. An additional flail (7) then detonates the identified and located mines.

Abstract: An open loop magnetic field minesweeping system, with a small and light weight body to be towed through seawater by a towing cable from a helicopter or other vehicle, a single sweep cable extending rearwardly a substantial distance from the body with a first electrode in cable, sleeve or sock form attached to the end of the sweep cable, and a second electrode positioned forwardly of the body to be towed and extending along and connected to the towing cable. A rectifier and transformer on the body convert AC power fed to the towed body from the towing vehicle, to DC power applied across the first and second electrodes. A plurality of fairings attached to the towing cable each have an electrically conductive portion electrically isolated from the towing cable. The electrically conductive portions are electrically connected together to form the second electrode. Each fairing has a plastic nose piece attached to the towing cable and an electrically conductive metal tail piece.

Abstract: A system for detecting, identifying and validating the existence of ordinance located atop or buried beneath the ground including at least one aerial platform capable of powered flight, a base station including apparatus for launching, storing, and refueling the at least one aerial platform, the base station further including apparatus for communicating with the aerial platform, and a control station remote from the base station and including apparatus for communicating with the base station such that a human operator at the control station is capable of communicating flight path instructions to the base station to be communicated to each of the aerial platforms.

Abstract: An apparatus, especially for clearing landmines, wherein there is arranged on a carrier machine (1) a flail unit (11) connected to an engine to power a flail rotor (12) equipped with chains and weights, which unit (11) comprises two flail arms (13) which at a first end support the flail rotor (12) and at a second end are made in the form of a frame (14), where the arms (13) are pivotally supported at a pivot point (17), so that when the flail rotor (12) is in operation the unit (11) will be maintained in a floating position relative to the surface of the terrain, which apparatus is equipped with a protective shield (15) between the flail rotor (12) and the carrier machine (1).