[CPEO-MEF] Remote-Controlled Vehicle Detects & Destroys Mines

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

 From Laura Olah <info@cswab.com>

The September 2002 issue of Popular Science magazine reports a company
is developing a remote-controlled vehicle that uses high-power water
jets to detect and destroy mines.  The University of Missouri-Rolla?s
Rock Mechanics and Explosive Research Center's approach starts with a
row of nozzles that shoot water into the ground.  An auditory feedback
is sent to a computer mounted on the vehicle and is analyzed by a
database.  When a mine is identified, a second robot arm uses a water
jet to blast open a trench in the ground and then sucks out the muddy
material to expose the explosive.  A tripod-mounted cutting head
utilizes water at pressure of up to 5,000 psi to slice it in half.  The
technology is capable of destroying mines without detonation, the report
says. Known as ELADIN (Eliminating Landmines by Aqueous Detection,
Identification, and Neutralization), it promises to be an easy to use,
safe, and affordable technology to detect and destroy landmines.  The
goal of the Department of Defense-sponsored program is to perfect the
system and sell it for less than $10,000, the report says.

Laura

--
Laura Olah, Executive Director
Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger
E12629 Weigand's Bay South
Merrimac, WI  53561
phone (608)643-3124
fax (608)643-0005 alt fax (608)643-2682
Email: info@cswab.com
Website: http://www.cswab.com

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