Print date: Friday 30th July 2010 10:22:52 AM

Search field= 'Project Nr.'
Search value= '2.4.2.4'

Number of reports found: 1

Project Nr.:2.4.2.4
Title:Assessment of the next generation of the ERA dual-sensor mine detector.
Description:Assessment of the ERA/Vallon MINETECT/MINEHOUND mine detector. A first trial will be executed in UK with the following objectives:
  • Verify and compare the performance of the latest models of the ERA dual sensor detector (MINETECT and MINEHOUND),
  • Train new operators and enhance the training package, and
  • compare the detection performance of new and experienced operators.

    A second trial phase will be run in-country and will consist of a long term test (several months) of the detector in a real demining scenario. It is envisaged that the detector will be evaluated during Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA) field operations.
  • Aim:Assessment of the next generation of the ERA dual-sensor mine detector.
    Request:United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID).
    Category:Detection - Multi-sensor
    Type:Test and Evaluation
    Equipment:ERA dual sensor mine detector (MINETECTand MINEHOUND TM VMR1).
    Development:Prototype/Demonstrator
    Time Frame: 2004-12-01 to 2006-03-31
    Place:UK (QinetiQ Hurn test site), Cambodia, Angola, Bosnia
    Lead Nation:United Kingdom
    Partners:Mines Advisory Group (MAG), Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA), Belgium, Canada, Germany, European Commission - Joint Research Centre (EC/JRC), The Netherlands, United States
    Point of contact:
    E-mail:Not available
    Status:Archived
    Comments:
  • The trial detection data sheets were made available to the trial participants for their own analysis.
  • Additional research on electromagnetic soil property variability and its effect on the detection performance of a dual-sensor system was carried out by the Netherlands in the framework of this project. Results have been published in the ITEP reports/publications database (article 1, article 2).
  • The ERA/Vallon dual-sensor mine detector trials are supporting the efforts of the ITEP working group on T&E of dual(multi) sensors (WGMS) to draft a best practice for T&E of dual(multi) sensor mine detectors. In this context some additional tests were also carried out by the Netherlands during the in-country MineHound trial in Cambodia.
  • Results/Conclusions:
  • For the tests executed at the Hurn test facility during the first project phase, a test report abstract was made available. The full report can be obtained from DfID.
  • The final report of the in-country trials in Cambodia, Bosnia and Angola is available on the ITEP website.
    Over 3000 alarm encounters in live minefields were recorded during the trials. 100% of the mines encountered in live minefields with the existing in-service metal detector were detected by deminers using the MINEHOUND TM. Furthermore, an overall improvement of greater than 5 to 1 in false alarm was obtained in the live minefields.
  • Two separate internal ITEP reports have been published documenting the lessons learned from the participation of ITEP invigilators in the MINEHOUND detector trial, as well as comments on the ITEP invigilator tasks/role.
  • The in-country trials with operational deminers contributed to optimising the production design and the MINEHOUND TM was jointly prepared by ERA Technology and Vallon GmbH for product release (MINEHOUND TM VMR2) at the end of 2006.


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