Can Currently Developed Deflagration Systems Neutralize Hard Case Mines?

Neutralization of landmines is dangerous and complicated work. For Humanitarian Demining, the most common neutralization method is demolition using small explosive charges. Although common practice, demolition has several disadvantages. Deminers need non-explosive mine neutralization technologies that are safer, more reliable and less expensive. To meet this need, several innovative non-explosive neutralization methods have been developed at the U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command (CECOM) Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD). The DoD Humanitarian Demining Research and Development program, and the NVESD Countermine Division have both developed solutions for non-explosive mine neutralization. These projects include thermite, a Mine Incinerator, Humanitarian Demining Flares and chemicals. These systems are designed to neutralize mines by deflagration instead of detonation. Burning or combustion of the mine’s main charge is achieved with chemicals, thermite, pyrotechnics, and propellants. Here I discuss deflagration (low-order, nonexplosive) methods to destroy landmines using propellant, thermite and pyrotechnics. The Humanitarian Demining Flare, made by Thiokol, is based on propellant mixtures. The Mine Incinerator is based on a new type of thermite mixture, and FireAnt is based on pyrotechnic mixtures. The first two methods were developed under the DoD Humanitarian Demining R&D Program. The United Kingdom’s Defense Establishment Research Agency (DERA) developed the FireAnt. The effectiveness of each system on fragmentation and bounding fragmentation mines will be described separately. Each of these techniques has advantages and disadvantages, typically dependent on cost, level of reliability and terrain. The new technologies in mine destruction may eventually make demining safer, reliable and less expensive.