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Hidden Killers 1994: The Global Landmine Crisis Chapter IX: Research and Development

Demining: Research and Development

While the technology involved in creating landmines has made many leaps forward since they were introduced, the technology and methods for mine clearance have not progressed significantly. Most indigenous mine clearance programs around the world use tools that are little more sophisticated than a sharp stick. The stick is a nonmetallic long probe, which is inserted slowly into the ground at 2-centimeter intervals until it encounters resistance, which may or may not be a landmine.

The United States and other countries are devoting resources to develop improved technologies for humanitarian mine clearance. In FY 1995, Congress allocated $10 million to the Department of Defense to continue the R&D program.

In the short term, the program will focus on adapting technology from military countermine programs, foreign demining equipment, and existing equipment which was developed for other purposes. In the longer term, the program will develop entirely new technologies designed for humanitarian demining.

The principal challenge in demining is detection. While there are many landmine variations in use, the largest problem is with antipersonnel mines with little or no metal content. Since all detection devices in use today are essentially metal detectors, the need to detect nonmetallic mines remains high.

The primary focus of the demining R&D program is low-tech, short-term solutions that can be directly exported to mine- plagued countries. The low-tech approach will quickly survey existing materiel solutions available worldwide for application to the problem. These solutions will be tested, and useful solutions will be added to available demining equipment.

Demining equipment must perform four functions: detect the mine, neutralize the mine, protect the deminers, and provide quality assurance. Because the goal is 100 percent clearance of all mines, the process must be well managed.

Current means of demining include:

• Hand held metal detectors;
• Metallic and non-metallic probes;
• Mine/minefield markers;
• Global positioning systems;
• Grapnel hooks (to remove trip wires and booby traps);
• Protective clothing;
• Explosive charges (to destroy mines in place);
• Mine resistant vehicles;
• Vehicle hardening kits;
• Canine detection unit (dogs can smell explosive vapors);
• Comprehensive global landmine database

A significant overlap exists between military countermine operations and humanitarian demining in the area of detection. Detection is the greatest challenge for a demining mission. While the detection technologies are generally the same for both missions, the program can take advantage of some of the differences in mission profiles in the development and assessment of equipment.

For instance, demining missions can make multiple passes over terrain, can tolerate higher false alarm rates to increase the probability of detection, and can use sensors that are not suitable for all weather or day/night conditions, all of which are factors in evaluating equipment for military countermine operations. In addition, equipment for humanitarian demining missions does not have to meet the stringent weight and size requirements imposed by military missions.

Another focus of the U.S. R&D program is the destruction of landmines in place rather than lifting the mines, which is very dangerous. By concentrating on destruction of mines in place, the program can avoid the extensive training which would be required to teach indigenous populations to perform such operations. It also prevents the possibility of mine recycling.

For demining, two classes of equipment must be developed. The first group would consist of highly sophisticated equipment that is operated by well-trained, experienced personnel. Examples of this class might include airborne detection systems with complex readouts that require interpretation, and remotely controlled vehicle-mounted systems with complex controls and extensive maintenance requirements. These systems would be used during the initial phases of the operation to locate, identify, and map mine areas for planning purposes.

The second group would consist of inexpensive and simpler equipment which would be provided directly to mine-plagued nations for their use. Unfortunately, many of the countries most affected by landmines also have an under-educated populace and limited materiel resources. For these reasons, demining equipment must be simple to operate and easy to maintain. For equipment that is retained and maintained by the affected country, U.S. law requires an assessment of cost and technology transfer issues prior to any equipment deliveries.

The R&D program includes study of longer-term solutions, some of which may not be available for 10 years or more. Possibilities include:

• Airborne detection systems;
• Enhanced mechanized broad-area clearance;
• Explosives detectors;
• Non-metallic mine detectors;
• Vehicle-mounted detection systems; and
• Chemical neutralization of mines.

The U.S. R&D program for humanitarian demining will look for ways to make the dangerous, lengthy, labor-intensive, and costly mine clearance process safer and more efficient. The program has received $10 million for FY 1995, and draft budget figures indicate the project will be maintained and funded for at least the next 4-5 years. Demining R&D is led by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations.

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