Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction Volume 6 Issue 2 The Journal of Mine Action Article 28 August 2002 The U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research and Development Program Nicole Kreger Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU (CISR) Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal Part of the Defense and Security Studies Commons, Emergency and Disaster Management Commons, Other Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons, and the Peace and Conflict Studies Commons Recommended Citation Kreger, Nicole (2002) "The U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research and Development Program," Journal of Mine Action : Vol. 6 : Iss. 2 , Article 28. Available at: https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol6/iss2/28 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at JMU Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction by an authorized editor of JMU Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Kreger: The U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research and Development Program Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2002 1 Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Vol. 6, Iss. 2 [2002], Art. 28 performance of the company's full-size mine awareness training and mine risk • The Mine Clearing that it can be extensively tested in opera­ of the countries burdened by mines. AN-19 handheld metal detector. Now education." To fulfill this mission, the Hu­ Cultivator is a tional fi eld evaluations. These evaluations The tools and technologies devel­ vegetation clearance/ part of Schiebel's product line, the MMD manitarian Demining R&D Program has require coordination with host nation oped by the Humanitarian Demining mine removal has been deployed in three countries to developed a number of informational aids. demining officials, demining NGOs, and R&D Program fall into one of the fol­ machine that is undergo operational field evaluations. One of the most significant of these aids remotely controlled U.S. State Department and DoD officials lowing categories: mine detection, mine is the Demining Support System (DSS). as well. This tool has within the country in wh ich field evalu­ awareness and training, mine/vegetation been one of the R&D The DSS includes five fundamental train­ ations are to take place. So Far, over 40 clearance and neutralization, and deminer Camcopter Program's most The Camcopter, another product ing modules, specifically mine awareness, prototype technologies for demining have tools and individual protection. This ar­ successful made by Schiebel, is a small radio-con­ demining training, medical training, mis­ developments so far. been developed by the R&D Program; ticle touches on some of the major de­ trolled helicopter that can detect mines sion planning and landmine database. 18 of them have been sent to nearly 30 velopments in each area as wel l as some over a large area in comparison with stan­ countries for operational field evaluations. ofthe future prospects ofthe R&D Program. dard handheld detectors. It can be used Mine Awareness Materials Funding for the program is provided The R&D Program's mine awareness t-• llililll by ASD SO/LIC, who also offers direc­ Mine Detection to detect, identify, map and mark mines and minefields, and it is operated either materials include graphics for posters and tion and oversight. The Army's Humani- manually or automatically if pro­ handouts, a debriefing guide for • The remotely grammed. In several tests at Fort Belvoir, demining teams to use when a landmine controlled the Camcopter demonstrated the ability incident occurs, and a database oflandmine Camcopter is a fully to detect both AT and AP mines, using information. The posters are mostly • Constructing a Non-Electric (HDO) Training Aid Device autonomous lR sensors and an on-board global posi­ aimed at children, who are very suscep­ !nictating Assembly and Substitute Summary tool used to tioning system (GPS). It is capable of tible to severe mine injuries because of • Priming Explosives Non-electrically • HDO Program of Instruction detect, reaching speeds of up to 90km/hr and their height and their natural curiosity. • Priming Explosives with Detonating Summary identify, map and mark altitudes of 2000 m. An evaluation is The debriefing guide gives an overview Cord • Medical Information Collection Form landmines currently underway by the U.S. Joint on how to treat a landmine survivor so • Constructing a Ring Main • Mission Concept Brief Format while Area C learance Advanced Concept Tech­ that he or she can overcome the psycho­ • Radio Procedures • Policy: The DoD Humanitarian allowing the nology Demonstration (JAC-ACTD) ro logical trauma of the event. The landmine Information on each of these lessons operator to Demining Program be a safe determine the Camcopter's potential to database is an online searchable database can be downloaded from the R&D • Pre-mission Checklist distance from detect mines along routes. that allows the user to identify a mine Program's website (see contact informa­ • Route Reconnaissance Report Format the minefield. using several factors, such as size, shape, tion below). and Procedures The Future ofDetection material and manufacturing location. All • Trip Report Format For the past few years, R&D effons of these tools are avai lable online at the Medical Training Module • Unit Status Report in the realm of mine detection have fo­ R&D Program's website (see contact in­ The following six procedures are Information on each of these topics cused on honing the skills of fi nding and formation below). covered in the medical training module: is available for downloading from the identifying mines. Additionally, the Pro­ • Bleeding and Shock R&D Program's website (see contact in­ gram has been looking for ways to de­ Demining Training Materials • Environment Assessment formation below). crease the amount of false alarms in de­ T here are 19 lessons covered in the • Instructor's Guide for Leg Injury tectio n. Examples of current R&D demining training module. The lessons Treatment Program Landmine Database projects in detection are different forms include the following topics: • Instructor's Guide to Buddy Aid: The landmine database module is • Demining Training Objectives Training Program for Treating The process of detecting mines is of GPR, lR and technologies to detect called MineFacts and can be used as a ref­ tarian Demining R&D Program Office • Identifying Likely Mined Areas vital to demining yet presents a number explosive vapors. Arm, Eye and Face Injuries erence tool. Many users find it helpful in at comunications and electronics com­ • Locating Tripwires • Introduction to Planning Module of challenges. The most prominenr diffi­ identifYing types of mines and in provid­ mand (CECOM) NVESD carries out the • Marking Mines and Tripwires • Medical Trauma Kit: Airway culties are detecting mines with low metal Mine Awareness and ing training materials to demining newcom­ program with a program manager, two • Assembling the Mine Detector conrent and distinguishing mines from Training There are also 27 more detailed les- ers. It includes text and images to assist deputies and a staff of approximately 20, • Identifying Mines in Bosnia sons in emergency medical procedures scrap metal. ln order to address these is­ the user in identifYing and understanding which consists of government engineers, • Visually Detecting Mines in Likely sues, the R&D Program has assessed sev­ Mine awareness and training are available from the Combat Lifesaver items in the database. More information logistics specialists and contractor support Areas Courses. All of this information is avail­ eral prototypes using technologies rang­ important aspects of mine action because is available on the R&D Program's website personnel. This ream has a broad range • Locating Mines by Probing able on the R&D Program's website (see ing from Ground Penetrating Radar they have a direct effect on the civilian (see contact information below). ofskills, including extensive backgrounds • Unpacking the Mine Detector (GPR) to the use of dogs to infrared (IR) populations of mine-affected countries. contact information below). in counrermine technology development, • Locating Mines Using the Mine and ultraviolet sensors. Two oft he program's T he humanitarian demining R&D Pro­ Mine/Vegetation acquisition and contract management. As Detector most successful developments are the M ini gram is dedicated to improving the qual­ Mission Planning Module Clearance and Sean Burke, Program Manager of the • Marking, Recording and Reporting Mine Detector (MMD) and the Camcopter. ity of mine awareness programs and The following 12 procedures are Neutralization Humanitarian Demining R&D Program, deminer trai ning courses. Their mission Minefields covered in the Mission Planning train­ put it, "All of the team members ... know Mini Mine Detector For mine awareness and training is as fol­ • Directing a Demining Team ing module: The Humanitarian Demining R&D the mine problem inside and our.".l Ex­ • Demolition Safety The MMD is a version of the tradi­ lows: "The Humanitarian Demining • After Action Report Format Program's biggest successes have been in tensive travel to mine-affected areas of the R&D Program is committed to continue • Using and Maintaining Demolition • Demining Status Reporr the area of mine/vegetation clearance and globe is another must for all staff mem­ tional metal