October 25, 1995. Copyright, 1995, Graphic News. All rights reserved

SWEDEN'S NEW MINESNIFFER
By Nicholas Booth, Science Editor

LONDON, October 25, Graphic News- A new generation of remotely-controlled military vehicles that sense and destroy mines is under consideration by the Swedish Bofors company. It will be based on an existing chassis used on the Leopard 1 tank, and could be in production within five years, the company says. But a spokesman warned that the technology to sense mines requires ÔsniffersÕ with greater sensitivity and quicker reaction times than is presently available.

The vehicle would be remotely controlled and ÔstripÕ mines by use of a roller device fitted with specially-hardened tungsten teeth. These rollers, contained on separate and easily-replaceable plates, would effectively mimic an agricultural thresher, churning the mines into harmless pieces. If damaged by explosions, the plates could be repaired by use of welding equipment in the field. Power for the roller will also be provided by a separate diesel engine so if it is damaged, the vehicle could still retreat under its own power.

The vehicle will be used to clear a swath some 4 metres wide and half a metre deep. The roller can be changed to work on smooth roadways as well as muddy battlefields. It could be operated by a driver within a protected cabin or else remotely, probably from another vehicle trailing behind it. Bofors Weapons Systems are evaluating the engineering needs in conjunction with Tonstad Maskinfabrikk of Norway.

Source: Jane's Defence Weekly