|
|
Other Test & Evaluation Related News and Events
Total number of other news items: 144
(Printer-friendly version)
|
| 4 - 6 October 2010 | | Vallon International Workshop - Detectors, Systems & Tools for Demining, EOD and IED | | The 2010 International Vallon Workshop will take place from the 4th to the 6th October. The workshop will start in the evening of the 4th of October at 19.00 hrs with an official welcome. During the following two days Vallon GmbH will present their new products for detection of mines and UXO, as well as the tools of their subsidiary company Force Ware GmbH for demining and EOD/IED.
|
contact: Sonja Brucksch | | More info... |
|
| 6-8 September 2010 | | Mine Action Technology Workshop 2010, Geneva, Switzerland | The Mine Action technology Workshop 2010, organised by UNMAS and GICHD will be held at the GICHD between the 6th and 8th of September. The aim of the meeting is to discuss technical issues relevant to landmine/ERW clearance. The workshop follows similar events held in 2006 and 2008 which brought together technology practitioners and specialists to share ideas and experiences.
The theme for the 2010 workshop is Merging Mine Action Technologies and Methodology. The agenda will be wide ranging and cover technologies and methodologies currently used operationally or technology that will be completed and fielded within the coming 12 months.
Topics for discussion and ideas for presentations should be submitted as soon as possible to either Christopher Clark at UNMAS or Erik Tollefsen at GICHD. The final agenda will be sent to all registered participants two weeks prior to the workshop.
|
contact: Erik Tollefsen | | More info... |
|
| 21 - 23 June 2010 | | Humanitarian Demining Requirements Workshop | | The 2010 Humanitarian Demining Requirements Workshop will gather mine-action participants from governmental and nongovernmental agencies and various international organizations to share information and ideas pertaining to new technology development, and to discuss the latest results from global demining activities. Selected participants from approximately 12 countries will attend this year’s gathering 21–23. Each demining organization is expected to share a presentation detailing its specific activities with the workshop participants. |
contact: Sean P. Burke | | More info... |
|
| June 2010 | | SD Mask-visor blast test | | A second blast test of the Security Devices Limited Mask-visor system was carried out in May 2010. This follows a first blast test in August 2009. While the 2009 blast test employed plastic explosive (PE) as an alternative to TNT, the 2010 test used 240g of pressed TNT as explosive charge. The report on the 2010 Mask-visor test as well as a test video report can be downloaded from the Security Devices website. |
contact: Security Devices | | More info... |
|
| 10-12 May 2010 | | International Workshop on Robotics and Mechanical Assistance in Humanitarian Demining and Similar Risky Interventions (HUDEM 2010), 10 -12.05.2010, Sousse, Tunesia | The International Advanced Robotics Programme (IARP) HUDEM 2010 Workshop on Robotics and Mechanical Assistance in Humanitarian Demining and Similar Risky Interventions will be held at the National Engineering School of Sousse (Tunesia) from the 10th to the 12th of May 2010.
The objectives of the workshop are:to review and discuss the available robotics technologies, their limitations and their adaptability to different natural or artificial environmental calamities, and to discuss the development efforts to automate tasks related to demining, detection and other interventions using robotics systems.
Contributions will focus on theories, principles and developments which have been explicitly developed for robots (terrestrial, aerial), and carried sensor systems for environmental surveillance, risky interventions and humanitarian demining in particular. Abstracts should be submitted not later than the 10th of April 2010. |
contact: Prof. Amr Benkhalifa | | More info... |
|
| 27 - 29 April 2010 | | 7th International Humanitarian Demining Symposium, Sibenik, Croatia, 27 - 29 April 2010 | The 7th International Humanitarian Demining Symposium - Humanitarian Demining 2010 - will take place in Sibenik, Croatia from the 27th to the 29th of April 2010. The 2010 Symposium will focus on humanitarian demining methods and technologies with as main topics:Use of demining machines,Mines and UXO detection devices (metal detectors and dual sensors),Use of mine detection dogs and Use of new technologies as decision support in defining mine suspected areas
(see also agenda).
The final deadline for submitting abstracts and equipment registration for exhibition is the 15th of March 2010. The final deadline for registration of participants is the 31st of March 2010. |
contact: Sanja Vakula | | More info... |
|
| 5 - 9 April 2010 | | 2010 SPIE Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XV, Orlando, Florida, USA | | The SPIE Conference on Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XV will be held from the 5th to the 9th of April 2010 in Orlando, Florida. Technical contributions are currently being sollicited. The deadline for submission of abstracts is the 21st of September 2009 |
contact: Russell S. Harmon | | More info... |
|
| January 2010 | | Publication of the GICHD Mechanical Demining Equipment Catalogue 2010 | The Mechanical Demining Equipment Catalogue 2010 provides the humanitarian mine action community with a comprehensive overview of the equipment available at the moment on the market. The publication is designed to help those who purchase mechanical demining equipment to make the right decisions.
The Catalogue describes three categories of machines: mine clearance machines, ground preparation machines and mine protected vehicles. In addition, it includes a checklist of guidelines for purchasing mechanical demining machines.
The equipment listed in the GICHD catalogue has not been tested or evaluated by the GICHD, but where available test and evaluation reports or cited. Readers interested in these reports should either contact the manufacturers directly or refer to the ITEP website. From mid-2010 all ITEP-related material will be posted on the GICHD website. |
contact: Frank Abel | | More info... |
|
| 1 February 2010 | | MineWolf Systems news | | The February 2010 issue of the MineWolf Systems Newsletter includes articles on the following topics:Six MineWolf mine clearance machines for the National Institute of Demining in AngolaMini MineWolf machine delivered to ColombiaTraining of Iraqi staff on Mini MineWolfMost productive season for NPA in Bosnia-HerzegovinaMine clearance on the Jordan-Syrian borderLand release using machines in Southern SudanDanish Demining Group uses the Mini MineWolf in AfghanistanNew robotic arm attachment for MineWolf machines MineWolf Systems presented its products at DSEi 2009 in London MineWolf Systems demonstrates Mini MineWolf to German Army EngineersMineWolf Mechanical Operations Workshop – Munich |
contact: MineWolf Systems | | More info... |
|
| December 2009 | | Publication of Humanitarian Demining 2009 Symposium proceedings | | The proceedings contain the papers of all presentations listed in the agenda of the Sixth International Humanitarian Demining Symposium 2009, which was held from the 27th to the 30th of April 2009 in Sibenik, Croatia. The symposium focused on general and technical survey, and science and mine action.
|
contact: Sanja Vakula | | More info... |
|
| 20 October 2009 | | Workshop on Deployment of Decision Support System for Mine Suspected Area Reduction in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 20 October 2009, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina | The Workshop is organised by the Croatian Centre for Testing, Development and Training (HCR-CTRO) in cooperation with the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center (BHMAC) and the International Trust Fund (ITF).
The Workshop is a continuation of a project carried out in Croatia which established a decision support system for mine suspected area (MSA) reduction on the basis of airborne and space-borne multi-sensor images, using an advanced data fusion technology. The aim of the current workshop is to transfer knowledge gained during the Croatian project to the members of South Eastern Europe Mine Action Coordination Council (SEEMACC) with special emphasis on Bosnia and Herzegovina and Azerbaijan. |
contact: Tomislav Vondracek | | More info... |
|
| September 2009 | | Publication of the GICHD Handbook of Mechanical Demining | The GICHD Mechanical Demining Handbook has been designed to be a practical, easy-to-use reference manual for field practitioners and others interested in mechanical demining.
The Handbook contains the following:advisory notes on machine categories, systems characteristics, common tasks such as ground preparation, vegetation cutting, mechanical clearance.
The Handbook also covers:residual hazards,environmental impact,the use of magnets,logistical support.
The Handbook is accompanied by a number of checklists for easy reference to support operators in the field. In addition the Handbook contains a selection model to assist those planning to acquire mechanical demining machines. |
contact: P. Lodhammar | | More info... |
|
| August 2009 | | DeFuse project: update | The first data collection phase of the DeFuse (Demining by Fusion of Techniques) project started at the end of May 2009 and lasted until mid June 2009. DeFuse is a research project investigating a demining approach consisting of the combination of detectors, mine detection dogs and mechanical demining equipment. Two different metal detectors and a dual-sensor detector (metal detector + ground penetrating radar) were used during this first trial phase. The next data collection period, which envisages the deployment of mine detection dogs followed by a flail system, is planned to start in Autumn 2009.
Each of the detectors was operated by two experienced operators from the Danish Demining and EOD Centre – DANDEC (metal detectors) and the Croatian Mine Action Centre – CROMAC (dual-sensor detector). A total of approximately 230 active search hours were recorded and 4700 detections were marked. The DeFuse test field, covering 28 000 square meters and containing more than 500 test objects, was prepared in 2008. Prior to the June 2009 measurement campaign the natural vegetation was cut. All detectors were employed according to their normal standard operating procedure to pinpoint and mark detections which were then recorded using a differential GPS system. Trial results will be made available after completion of the entire measurement campaign and analysis. |
contact: Kaj Horberg | | More info... |
|
| 24 - 27 August 2009 | | UXO Countermine Range Forum™ 2009, 24-27.08.2009, Orlando, Great Lakes, USA | Hosted by the Department of Defense Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Center of Excellence – with support from other Federal organizations – the UXO/Countermine/Range Forum™ 2009 is the U.S. Department of Defense Preeminent Conference on Technology, Programs and Partnerships. The Forum 2009 will address 21st Century Explosive Hazard Challenges,Technology Solutions and Partnerships for Full Spectrum Operations.
The program includes a general session and luncheon speakers, more than 150 technical presentations also covering humanitarian demining, as well as special sessions and exhibits dedicated to IED Defeat and exhibitors of a wide range of technologies.
The abstract submission begins on the 9th of January until the 2nd of March 2009. The Conference registration starts on the 2nd of February 2009. | | No contact info available | | More info... |
|
| 17 August 2009 | | MineWolf Systems news | | The first 2009 issue of the MineWolf Systems Newsletter includes articles on the following topics:MineWolf in Iraq – effective in harsh environmentMineWolf sold to MTI for Afghanistan operationsNPA deployed MineWolf to RwandaChile to start mechanical mine clearance operationsMineWolf Bagger successfully introduced in SudanNPA Sudan program received Mini MineWolfUS DoD conduct test series on Mini MineWolfNew attachments for MineWolf solutions
|
contact: MineWolf Systems GmbH | | More info... |
|
| July 2009 | | Mine Action Technology Newsletter, Issue 10, July 2009 | | The nineth issue of the Mine Action Technology Newsletter, produced by the UNMAS and the GICHD, includes workshop announcements, snippets of information for general interest as well as the following short feature articles:Adapting 12 volt Motorcycle Batteries for use with the Ebinger UPEX-740 Wide-Loop Detector,Report on Mineburner system tested and used by Handicap International in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2008, The use of digital terrain models in
mine clearance. |
contact: Noel Mulliner | | More info... |
|
| May 2009 | | Publication of research results on improved clutter rejection with the AN/PSS-14 (HSTAMIDS)
| The report describes the findings of five studies conducted to optimise the clutter reduction performance of the dual-sensor detector AN/PSS-14. The studies were carried out in the framework of a Lincoln University research program which started in 2005 and focused on optimising the AN/PSS-14 performance.
In the first study, the duration of the program of instruction’s effect on clutter rejection training was assessed. The second study focused on developing AN/PSS-14 operational expertise and training development support. The third study was a tesk to construct a research robot capable of mounting and remotely operating the AN/PSS-14 during a robotic lane sweep. The fourth study was designed to investigate the reliability of GPR alerts over mine simulants at various detector heights and target burial depths, while the fifth study investigated methods of skill sustainment training. |
contact: Todd R. Higgins | | More info... |
|
| May 2009 | | DeFuse project trials to start in May 2009 | Demining by Fusion of Techniques (DeFuse) is a pilot project with the aim to obtain scientific knowledge about the advantages of deploying a combined demining approach using existing mine detection and clearance equipment/procedures. The project was initiated by the Nordic Demining Research Forum (NDRF), but is now driven by project participants from different research organisations.
DeFuse will collect data sets to study the combined approach of mine detection dogs, detectors and mechanical demining equipment (flail). The test area, which covers 28 000 square meters and contains more than 500 test objects, was established in 2008. The data collection phase will start at the end of May 2009. |
contact: Kaj Horberg | | More info... |
|
| 27 - 30 April 2009 | | Humanitarian Demining Symposium 2009, Sibenik, Croatia | The Sixth International Humanitarian Demining Symposium - Humanitarian Demining 2009, will be held from the 27th to the 30th of April 2009 in Sibenik, Croatia with as main aim to share experiences, obtain new insights and find new solutions for safer, faster and more efficient mine clearance activities.The symposium will focus on the following issues: General and technical survey, and Science and mine action.
There will also be a demonstration of demining machines and the way the latter machines are used in technical survey operations, as well as an equipment exhibition.
The agenda and the list of the demining equipment which will be exhibited can be consulted at the symposium website (see below link). The final deadline for registration is 31.03.2009. |
contact: Sanja Vakula | | More info... |
|
| April 2009 | | Publication of results of informal blast testing on renovated polycarbonate demining visors | | The report describes the test set-up, test method and results of informal blast tests carried out in Afghanistan in order to verify if a demining visor renovation technique, proposed by Elegant Design and Solutions (EDaS), changes visor performance. The renovation technique discussed in the report was developed by EDaS, based upon the work of Heafitz et al., described in a Journal of Mine Action article. |
contact: Ed Pennington-Ridge | | More info... |
|
| 13 - 17 April 2009 | | 2009 SPIE Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XIV, Orlando, Florida, USA | | The SPIE Conference on Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XIV will take place from the 13th to the 17th of April 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The final conference program includes sessions on the following topics:Explosives Detection and Environmental Effects, Sensing and Detection in the Marine Environment, Acoustic Sensing,EMI Sensing,Environmental Effects on Sensing Technologies, Optical Sensing, Multi-Sensor Systems and Field Tests,The Autonomous Mine Detection System, and Signal Processing and Statistical Classification |
contact: SPIE | | More info... |
|
| 12 - 14 May 2009 | | Fourth Annual Canadian DND UXO Forum, 12-14 May 2009, Quebec, Canada
| The Fourth Annual Canadian DND UXO Forum hosted by the Department of National Defence UXO and Legacy Sites Program will be held in Quebec City, Canada from the 12th to the 14th of May 2009.
Plenary sessions and panel discussions, revolving around the theme Leveraging Technology to Safeguard the Public aim at bring together a diverse cross section of military, industry, science and academic professionals to discuss how to best employ emerging technologies to improve abilities in the following major areas: UXO detection, avoidance and clearance, conduct of safe scrap munitions screening, conduct of cost effective and accurate residual risk audits along with quality control and assurance. |
contact: DND UXO Forum | | More info... |
|
| February 2009 | | Publication of the GICHD Detectors and Personal Protective Equipment Catalogue 2009 | The GICHD Detectors and Personal Protective Equipment Catalogue 2009 presents product information on detectors and personal protective equipment currently available on the market to the mine action community. Where available, references to test and evaluation information have been included. The catalogue is organised in two main sections:Detector systems including the following categories: Metal Detectors, UXO Detectors, Vehicle-Mounted Detectors, Dual Sensor and Ground Penetrating Radar Systems.Personal Protective Equipment, covering a full range of equipment: Protective Clothing, Helmets, Visors and Masks, and Mine Protective Boots.
The Catalogue is as comprehensive as possible. Some manufacturers of detector systems and PPE being used in the field are not featured due to the fact that the manufacturers did not contribute the required information. |
contact: Erik Tollefsen | | More info... |
|
| February 2009 | | APOPO HERORAT Newsletter | | The Newsletter gives an update on the training and operational results of the mine detection rats, as well as an introduction on the application of the rats for tuberculosis testing in Tanzania. |
contact: Herorat | | More info... |
|
| February 2009 | | Mine Action Technology Newsletter, Issue No. 9, February 2009 | | The nineth issue of the Mine Action Technology Newsletter, produced by the UNMAS and the GICHD, includes workshop announcements, snippets of information for general interest as well as the following short feature articles:Magnetism, magnetometers and mine action,Easy access to publicly available information on humanitarian demining equipment,CEN tests at Swedish EOD and Demining Centre (SWEDEC), ALIS - A hand held dual sensor with imaging capabilities, MineWolf workshop in Stockach, Germany, and Vallon/Force Ware workshop in Ebingen/Riederich, Germany. |
contact: Noel Mulliner | | More info... |
|
| 26 - 31 January 2009 | | Workshop on the Introduction and training of a decision support system for mine action managers, Bjelolasica, Croatia | The workshop was organised by the HCR-CTRO and took place from the 26th to the 31st of January 2009 in Bjelolasica, Croatia. It was held as part of a project with the International Trust Fund (ITF) Deployment of the Decision Support System for Mine Suspected Area Reduction which is funded by the United States Department of State.
The goal of the six-day workshop was to introduce and transfer Croatian land release experience to national mine action authorities in the region of the South East Europe Mine Action Coordination Council (SEEMACC). Representatives from Croatia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Serbia attended. The workshop started with a theoretical introduction and continued with practical work during which the attendees could apply some of the presented decision support techniques on their own national data. Representatives from the International Trust Fund (ITF), the United States Embassy in Croatia and the GICHD were also present. A workshop report is available at the HCR-CTRO website.
The HCR-CTRO project is executied in close collaboration with the ITEP project Test and Evaluation of the generic SMART methodology (ITEP Project 1.2.5) carried out by the Royal Military Academy (RMA). |
contact: Sanja Vakula | | More info... |
|
| January 2009 | | Publication of the Handicap International MineBurner trial report | The trial report, published on the Mineburner website, documents the use of the MineBurner UXO Clearance System by Handicap International (HI) during an operational trial period in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The report includes the following:
Report on MineBurner training for HI staff, Cost comparison between MineBurner and sub contracted demolitions, Documentation of the operational use of MineBurner during the reporting period, and List of observations and recommendations. |
contact: MineBurner | | More info... |
|
| 26 - 28 November 2008 | | Golden West to Host Regional Mine Action Technical Working Group, 26- 28.11.2008 | From the 26th to the 28th of November 2008 the Golden West Humanitarian Foundation will host the first gathering of the South East Asian Technical Working Group (TWG). The TWG will assemble technical staff from mine action practitioners throughout the region and will provide a forum for participating governmental and non-governmental organizations to share and discuss observations, obstacles and research and development findings related to the technical elements of landmine clearance clearance, unexploded ordnance clearance, detection and stockpile destruction.
The TWG is geared toward mine action technical managers and operators and will be held at the Golden West program site in Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia. |
contact: Roger Hess | | More info... |
|
| 26 - 27 November 2008 | | Advanced Defeating IEDs Case Studies and Training Workshop | | This two-day training workshop and demonstration will take place in Brussels, Belgium from the 26th to the 27th of November 2008. The Workshop has as main topic Counter IEDs through effective detection, technology and training capabilities and will amongst others discuss the integral role of technology in countering IEDs.
| | No contact info available | | More info... |
|
| November 2008 | | Publication of final reports on the 2006 CMAC trials of Japanese humanitarian demining equipment | In March 2006 the Governments of Japan and Cambodia signed an agreement for the execution of the Project for Research and Development of Mine Clearance Related Equipment, to be executed by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) with support from the Japan International Cooperation System (JICS). The aim of the project was to test and evaluate the performance and suitability of demining machines and mine detectors manufactured by Japanese companies and research institutions. Three mechanical demining machines were finally included in the mechanical trial: the Komatsu Bulldozer D85MS-15 tiller system, the AP Landmine Disposing Machine BM307 FV25 (flail, push type), and the AP Landmine Disposing Machine BM307 FV33 (flail, swing type). Four mine detectors, all dual-sensor systems (metal detector + ground penetrating radar), were selected for the detection trial.
The mechanical trial consisted of performance tests, AT mine survivability tests (machine and operator) and acceptance tests in real minefields. The mine detector trial included a series of tests determining the in-air and in-soil detection capability, as well as operational performance characteristics such as target location accuracy, resolution of adjacent targets tests, etc.
Detailed descriptions of the various tests and their results are available in the test reports published at the CMAC website (see below link) |
contact: Roath Kanith | | More info... |
|
| October 2008 | | August 2008 NDRF Summer Conference proceedings | | The Nordic Demining Research Forum (NDRF) 2008 summer conference took place from the 27th to the 29th of August 2008, in Skovde, Sweden. It was organised in co-operation with the University of Skovde and covered the following topics: operations, detections and techniques, education, training and awareness. The document given in the link below summarizes the conference programme and includes links to all presentations. |
contact: NDRF | | More info... |
|
| 21 October 2008 | | MineWolf Systems news | | The third 2008 issue of the MineWolf Systems Newsletter includes articles on the following topics:US Department of Defense Selects the Mini MineWolfMineWolf Receives UN Accreditation in AfghanistanTwo Mini MineWolfs Shipped to ArmorGroup in SudanNPA Deploys Second Mini MineWolf in Jordan with Enhanced Remote Camera SystemMineWolf Systems at the German Army Engineering CorpsTwo MineWolfs Arrive in Santiago, ChileMineWolf Systems Concludes Mechanical Workshop 2008. |
contact: MineWolf Systems GmbH | | More info... |
|
| 29 September - 1 October 2008 | | Vallon International Workshop - Detectors, Systems & Tools for Demining, EOD and IED | The 2008 International Vallon Workshop will take place from the 29th of September to the 1st October. The workshop will start in the evening of the 29th of September at 19.00 hrs with an official welcome. During the following two days Vallon GmbH will present their new products for detection of mines and UXO, as well as the tools of their subsidiary company Force Ware GmbH .
The workshop is free of charge. Participants have to pay for hotel accommodation and travel expenses. A registration form and more info on the workshop can be found at the link given below. |
contact: Jurgen Braunstein | | More info... |
|
| September 2008 | | Final report: Aresa TNT HUM | This report details the field trial carried out by Aresa Biodetection from September 2007 to January 2008. The trial was funded by the Danish Ministry of foreign Affairs and had as main objective to provide landmine TNT and TNT degradation product leakage data needed to finalise the RedDetect system. The ultimate aim of the latter system is to be a new operational tool for landmine technical survey and mine clearance quality control.
The work reported includes the results of soil sampling around landmines and UXO under near live conditions and under different environmental regimes (soil, climate). A total number of 332 samples from 6 test sites, 32 different mine types and 3 sampling rounds were taken. The effect of mechanical ground processing on the feasibility to detect landmines using TNT/TNT degradation products in the soil was also evaluated. |
contact: Kim Bretting | | More info... |
|
| September 2008 | | 2009 SPIE Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XIV (DS105)- Call for Papers. | This is a call for papers for the 2009 SPIE International Symposium on Defense, Security and Sensing - Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XIV. The conference will take place in Orlando (Florida, United States) from the 13th to the 17th of April 2009. Suggested topics for submissions are, amongst others, mine sensor technologies of all kinds, robotic technologies for mine detection, localization, and neutralization, new and emerging technologies for the detection and identification of minefields, evaluation tests of geophysical sensors for humanitarian demining landmines, and IED from airborne, and the effective analysis of the operator as a signal processing component in a detection system, cognitive engineering platforms.
Abstracts are due on the 29th of September 2008. | | No contact info available | | More info... |
|
| 8 -10 September 2008 | | Mine Action Technology Workshop 2008, Geneva, Switzerland | The Mine Action technology Workshop 2008, organised by UNMAS and GICHD will be held at the GICHD between the 8th and 10th of September. The workshop follows a similar event held in 2006, which brought together technology practitioners and experts to share ideas and experiences. The aim is to discuss technical issues relevant to demining.
The workshop is open to technical and operational staff from mine action programmes and mine affected countries as well as commercial companies and manufacturers.
The agenda will be wide ranging and cover technologies and methodologies currently used in demining. The specific aims are:To address technical issues, requirements and practices (detectors, road clearance and land release, T&E issues)To explain, exchange and share ideas and methods to improve efficiency To provide a forum where equipment requirements can be expressed and recorded.
The draft workshop agenda is now available. The final agenda will be distributed at the beginning of the workshop on the 8th of September 2008. |
contact: Erik Tollefsen | | More info... |
|
| 27-29 August 2008 | | Nordic Demining Research Forum (NDRF) Summer Conference 2008 | | The annual Nordic Demining Research Forum (NDRF) Summer Conference, will this year take place in Skovde, Sweden from the 27th to the 29th of August 2008. The participants are invited to present on-going work and activities related to mine clearance or with a bearing on development and improvement of mine clearance. In this way, NDRF wishes to stimulate research and development through qualified exchange of information. The summer conference will focus on four major issues: Operations, Detections and Techniques, Education, Training and Awareness, Improvised Explosive Devices |
contact: NDRF | | More info... |
|
| 18-20 August 2008 | | Workshop on Soil Magnetism - Multi-disciplinary Perspectives, Emerging Applications and New Frontiers, Cranfield University, UK | This workshop will bring together researchers and technologists from a broad spectrum of disciplines to discuss the theoretical base of soil magnetism and to identify emerging applications of soil magnetism in environmental, geological, and soil sciences. Keynote addresses will be given by specialists in a variety of fields, amongst which landmine detection, while break-out sessions will define the current state of understanding, identify knowledge gaps, and determine priority areas for research investment and technology development.
The workshop should benefit knowledge transfer between academia and the demining community by furthering the understanding of environmental drivers that result in the development of magnetic minerals temporally and spatially in soil systems and by finding solutions to optimize the detection capability of electromagnetic induction detectors in soil systems. |
contact: Remke van Dam | | More info... |
|
| July 2008 | | Publication of two new CEN Workshop Agreements | The CEN Workshop Agreements (CWA) on Follow-on processes after the use of demining machines (CWA 15832:2008) and on Quality Management - Quality Assurance and Quality Control for Mechanical Demining (CWA 15833:2008) have now formally been published by CEN. The GICHD chaired both Workshops which led to the finalisation of the CWAs in April 2008.
CWA 15832:2008 seeks to define the requirement for follow-on behind a demining machine. It does not describe the method of follow-on activities that are already well known and understood by the mine action community.
CWA 15833:2008 considers quality management in humanitarian demining in general as well as associated with demining machines. The agreement also focuses on specific actions for quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) in the use of demining machines at hazardous sites.
The CWA 15832 and CWA 15833 both include references to the CWA on Test and Evaluation of Demining Machines (CWA 15044: 2004). |
contact: Erik Tollefsen | | More info... |
|
| 21-25 July 2008 | | European Electromagnetics Conference, EUROEM 2008, Lausanne, Switserland, 21 - 25.07.2008 | The European Electromagnetics Conference (EUROEM) 2008 will be held at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne, Switzerland. The symposium is a forum within the international scientific and engineering community for Electromagnetics. The main themes are:High-power Electromagnetics (HPEM) / Nuclear Electromagnetics (NEM) and related topics,Ultra Wide Band (UWB) and related topics Target Identification (TID), Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and related topics Critical Infrastructure and related topics
The deadline for abstracts is the 31st of January 2008. |
contact: Farhad Rachidi | | More info... |
|
| 14-16 July 2008 | | U.S. Humanitarian Demining R&D Requirements Workshop, Virginia, USA, | | This workshop, which is by invitation only, will take place from the 14th to the 16th of July 2008 in Arlington, Virginia, USA. The goal of the workshop is to identify requirements that will assist the U.S. funded program in developing and improving mine and UXO detection and clearance technologies. Various demining organisations will brief on their programs with emphasis placed on equipment used for mine and UXO detection and clearance operations. The information they provide ensures that the U.S. program focuses on technology developments efforts that best meet the needs of the international demining comunity. | | No contact info available | |
|
| 7 July 2008 | | MineWolf Systems news | | The second 2008 issue of the MineWolf Systems Newsletter includes articles on the following topics:Chilean Army Procures MineWolfs for Border ClearanceUAE Land Forces Purchase two MineWolfs BACTEC Mini MineWolf Training and Accreditation in LebanonMini MineWolf Training in Afghanistan: Accreditation Achieved by Danish Demining GroupMineWolf Systems Opens Office in LebanonAir Mobility Trial with Mini MineWolf CompletedMineWolf Systems at Eurosatory 2008, Paris |
contact: MineWolf Systems GmbH | | More info... |
|
| June 2008 | | The GICHD invites contributions for the Metal Detectors and PPE Catalogue 2009 | The next version of the GICHD Metal Detectors and PPE Catalogue is to be released early January 2009. It will provide an overview of the detector equipment and PPE currently available to the demining industry. The Catalogue will describe five categories of tools:Hand-held detectors including dual sensor systems, ERW/UXO detectors, Wide array detectors, Vehicle-mounted detectors and PPE.
Submission of contributions by manufacturers is requested by the 15th of July 2008. Details of the information to be supplied are available at the GICHD website. |
contact: k.kopppetsch@gichd.org | | More info... |
|
| 16-20 June 2008 | | Conference: Odour Detection by Animals - Research and Practice, Os, Norway | The GICHD, along with partner organisations, will hold a conference on Odour Detection by Animals: Research and Practice, aimed at bringing together a range of experts to discuss the efficiency of animal detection systems. The meeting will be held in Os, Norway and is being organised in cooperation with Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA), the Fellanger Dog Training Academy (FDTA), along with the Norwegian Military Defense Research Establishment (FFI) and the Norwegian Military Dog Training Centre (FHSK).
A common theme running through the programme will be the use of dogs and rats as detectors of landmines in humanitarian demining efforts. Although some of the presentations will relate specifically to humanitarian demining, the majority of presentations will describe research findings that are applicable across a range of animal species searching for a range of target odours. |
contact: Havard Bach | | More info... |
|
| 16-19 June 2008 | | 12th International Conference on Ground Penetrating Radar, Univeristy of Birmingham, UK, 15 - 19.06.2008 | The 12th International Conference on Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR2008) to be held at the University of Birmingham from the 15th to the 19th of June 2008 will include all the normal activities of a professional academic conference. It is supported by four GPR departments within the University of Birmingham and the GPR industry from both the UK and Europe. The conference programme is currently being finalised and details will be updated at the conference programme webpage as they are confirmed. Several pre-conference Workshops are taking place on the 15th of June 2008, amongst others, a Workshop on Soils.
The Pre-Conference Workshop on soils is intended to be of benefit to GPR researchers and field users alike. It will commence with a brief introduction to the electromagnetic parameters important to GPR use, including discussion of their variations with frequency and water content in dispersive soils. Following from this, available methods for measuring soil electromagnetic properties, both in the laboratory and in the field, will be introduced. This will include hands on assessment of soil properties, and use of simple electromagnetic measurement equipment, allowing the theory to be illustrated in practical terms. The workshop will conclude with short presentations detailing current research, followed by a discussion session that will provide the opportunity for GPR practitioners to propose future research directions that could fulfil their practical needs. | | No contact info available | | More info... |
|
| May 2008 | | Mine Action Technology Newsletter, Issue No. 8, May 2008 | | The eight issue of the Mine Action Technology Newsletter, produced by the UNMAS and the GICHD, includes workshop announcements, snippets of information for general interest as well as the following four short feature articles: Construction of demining machines in the Kurdistan region.A new UXO detector with a metal discrimination option.Bioprobe immuno-encapsulated microspheres with nanopore-based energetics.The results from trials in Angola of the ITEP magnetic clutter reduction efficiency project. |
contact: Noel Mulliner | | More info... |
|
| April 2008 | | Hyperspectral imaging landmine detection trials | | Scientists from DRDC Suffield completed a series of trials in Afghanistan examining the use of hyperspectral imagery to detect landmines in theatre. The objective of the experiments was to characterise the output and performance of shortwave and thermal hyperspectral imagers with the aim to improve the reliability of airborne detection of landmines. |
contact: John McFee | |
|
| 13-18 April 2008 | | Eleventh International Meeting of Mine Action Programme Directors and UN advisors, Ljubljana, Slovenia and Sibenik, Croatia | The Eleventh International Meeting of Mine Action Programme Directors and UN advisors is organised by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and the UN Mine Action Team, with the support of the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF) and the Croatian Mine Action Centre - Centre for Testing Development and Training (CROMAC - CTRO). It will start on the evening of 13th April in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and will continue from 15th to 18th April in Sibenik, Croatia.
This annual meeting is a significant one for the mine action community. It represents an opportunity for stakeholders to meet and assess the progress and challenges of the sector. The second part, to be held in Sibenik replaces the Humanitarian Demining Symposium 2008. On the 17th of April, CROMAC and HCR-CTRO will organize a field demonstration of demining machines in action. Other details of the programme are still under development. |
contact: Sanja Vakula | | More info... |
|
| 9 April 2008 | | MineWolf Systems news | | The first 2008 issue of the MineWolf Systems Newsletter includes articles about the following topics:A Busy 1st Quarter in Sudan for MineWolf SystemsMineWolf Systems Opens Office in Afghanistan Danish Demining Group Mini MineWolf Shipped to Afghanistan UN Purchases Mini MineWolf for Deployment to Southern Lebanon German Army Publishes Official Results of Mini MineWolf AP/AT Mine Trials New Fire Suppression System Available for the MineWolf Mechanical Training Course Held at MineWolf Systems New Manufacturing, Logistics and Training Centre |
contact: MineWolf Systems GmbH | | More info... |
|
| March 2008 | | Publication of the final report of the trial of Japanese GPR-EMI dual-sensor systems | From the 22nd to the 26th of October 2007, several dual-sensor mine detector systems developed by the Japanese Science and Technology Agency (JST) and were tested by the Croatian Mine Action Centre - Centre for Testing Development and Training (HCR-CTRO) in co-operation with the JST, and with data collection support from the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM). The main objective of the trial was to compare the performances of dual-sensor systems, consisting of a metal detector (EMI) and a ground penetrating radar(GPR), and stand-alone metal detectors. The dual-sensor systems tested were the hand-held Advanced Landmine Imaging System (ALIS) and the Minelab F3 together with the LAMDAR IV GPR on the Gryphon platform.
The final test report gives a description of the different dual-sensor systems tested and the Benkovac test site in Croatia. It further details the training and trial procedure adopted. The report also presents summary test results of the obtained Probability Of Detection (POD) and False Alarm Rate (FAR) for the dual-sensor systems as compared to the stand-alone metal detectors. Detailed data for each dual-sensor system tested are available in the annexes. |
contact: Nikola Pavkovic | | More info... |
|
| 28-30 March 2008 | | International Workshop on Robotics and Mechanical Assistance in Humanitarian Demining and Similar Risky Interventions (HUDEM 2008), 28-30.03.2008, Cairo, Egypt | The International Advanced Robotics Programme (IARP) HUDEM 2008 Workshop on Robotics and Mechanical Assistance in Humanitarian Demining will be held in Cairo, Egypt, from the 28th to the 30th of March 2008.
The objectives of the workshop are: to review and discuss the available robotics technologies, their limitations and their adaptability to different natural or artificial environmental calamities, and to discuss the development efforts to automate tasks related to demining, detection and other interventions using robotics systems.
The final programme was made available on the 14th of February 2008. |
contact: Prof Maki K. Habib | | More info... |
|
| 24-28 March 2008 | | Methods and Instruments for the Determination of Electromagnetic Properties of Soils and Materials, PIERS Symposium | This public session of the 2008 Progress In Electromagnetics Research Symposium (PIERS), to be held in China, will be dedicated to novel and improved methods for measuring and estimating electromagnetic properties of soils.
The deadline for submission of a paper is 7 October 2007, while the pre-registration deadline is 7 November 2007. |
contact: Lorenzo Capineri | | More info... |
|
| 16 - 20 March 2008 | | SPIE Defense and Security Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA | The SPIE Defense and Security Conference will take place from the 16th to the 20th of March 2008 in Orlando, Florida. The final conference program consists of 14 program tracks, amongst which the track on Battlespace Technologies includes the conference Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XIII. The latter conference covers the following sessions:
Electromagnetic Induction Sensing and Detection I and II, Sensing and Detection Potpourri, Littoral Sensing and Detection I and II, Optical Sensing and Detection, Environmental Effects on Sensing and Detection, Multisystem Sensing, EOIR Signal Processing, and GPR for Detection and Algorithm Fusion I and II | | No contact info available | | More info... |
|
| 5 March 2008 | | NDRF Workshop on Molecular and Odour Detection | | The Workshop is organised by the Nordic Demining and Research Forum (NDRF). It will take place at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense on the 7th of March 2008, and has as main goal to identify the most important reserach and development activities to be supported or initiated in order to improve the safety and efficiency of molecular and odour detection technologies and methods. |
contact: NDRF | | More info... |
|
| January 2008 | | Publication of the GICHD Mechanical Demining Equipment Catalogue 2008 | The 2008 version of the Mechanical Demining Equipment Catalogue describes three categories of machines: mine clearance machines, ground preparation machines and mine protected vehicles, as defined by the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) on Mechanical Demining 09.50. The catalogue also includes a checklist of guidelines for purchasing a mechanical demining machine.
The equipment listed in the GICHD catalogue has not been tested or evaluated by the GICHD, but where available test and evaluation reports or cited. Readers interested in these reports should either contact the manufacturers directly or refer to the ITEP website. |
contact: Erik Tollefsen | | More info... |
|
| December 2007 | | Preliminary announcement of the second UNMAS/GICHD Mine Action Technology Workshop, Geneva, 9-11.09.2008 | Following the first UNMAS/GICHD technology workshop in Geneva in February 2006 the participants attending recommended this to be an event to be repeated. The United Nations Mine Action Sevice (UNMAS) and the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) are now planning for a workshop with the tentative dates of the 9th to the 11th of September 2008.
The aim of the workshop is to put technology in mine action on the agenda and to create a vehicle for communicating ideas and sharing experiences between the research and development community, manufacturers and field users of technology. |
contact: Noel Mulliner | |
|
| December 2007 | | Info on Remote Explosive Scent Tracing (REST) Workshop in Morongoro, Tanzania | | The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), in cooperation with the Swedish Rescue Services Agency (SRSA) is conducting a research and development (R&D) project aimed at developing and validating the Remote Explosive Scent Tracing (REST) landmine detection technology. The advisory committtee of this REST project met in Morogoro, Tanzania from 21 to 24 October 2007, to review the research that has been conducted over the past 15 months. This meeting was combined with a meeting of the Steering Committee overseeing the Odour Signature Project, a closely related R&D project that seeks to artificially create the odour of buried mines. |
contact: Harvard Bach | | More info... |
|
| December 2007 | | Mine Action Technology Newsletter, Issue No. 7, December 2007 | | The seventh issue of the Mine Action Technology Newsletter, produced by the UNMAS and the GICHD, includes workshop announcements, snippets of information for general interest as well as four short feature articles related to mine action technology:Improved Discrimination in Metal Detection.What can environmentral searches contribute to the mine search?Extreme Variance in USSR PMN Mine Signal.Cairo Mine Detectors Test Trials |
contact: Noel Mulliner | | More info... |
|
| 19 December 2007 | | MineWolf Systems News | | The fourth 2007 issue of the MineWolf Systems Newsletter includes articles about the following topics:NPA Mechanical Mine Clearance in Bosnia and HerzegovinaDanish Demining Group acquires Mini MineWolf for Humanitarian Demining Projects in AfghanistanMini MineWolf Training held for Swedish Rescue Services AgencyRemote Video Guidance System proven in desert conditionsMineWolf Systems at Euro-NATO Training and Engineering Centre |
contact: MineWolf Systems GmbH | | More info... |
|
| October 2007 | | HCR-CTRO testing of Japanese dual-sensor detectors | From the 22nd to the 26th of October 2007, several dual-sensor mine detector systems developed by the Japanese Science and Technology Agency (JST) were tested by the Croatian Mine Action Centre - Centre for Testing Development and Training (HCR-CTRO) in co-operation with the JST. The trial was carried out at the Croatian detector test site Benkovac according to the current draft ITEP dual-sensor mine detector test protocol, originally compiled for the postponed ITEP dual-sensor detector trial (ITEP project 2.4.2.12). A 10 day training period preceded the trial.
Two items of the hand-held Advanced Landmine Imaging System (ALIS) dual sensor mine detector were tested by three Croatian deminers in three test lanes with different soil conditions. The Synthetic Aperture Radar - Ground Penetrating Radar LAMDAR IV was tested in a dual-sensor set-up mounted on the Gryphon platform, together with the MineLab F3 metal detector, mounted on a separate Gryphon platform. The latter dual-sensor set-up was tested in all six test lanes using Japanese operators. The same dual-sensor set-up was also evaluated with the CEIA MIL-D1 as metal detector mounted on the Gryphon, but only in a limited amount of test lanes.
Daily trial reports and pictures can be viewed at the trial webpage. The results are currently been analysed and will be available at the beginning of 2008. |
contact: Jun Ishikawa | | More info... |
|
| 9 October 2007 | | MineWolf Systems News | | The third 2007 issue of the MineWolf Systems Newsletter includes articles about the following topics:Mini MineWolf undergoes Extensive Testing by the German ArmyProductive Month for MineWolf in South SudanNPA adds 3rd Mini MineWolf to its Mechanical Demining FleetSRSA purchases Mini MineWolf to support Humanitarian Demining Operations WorldwideLatest Journal of Mine Action published MineWolf Systems exhibits at DSEi in London |
contact: MineWolf Systems GmbH | | More info... |
|
| October 2007 | | August 2007 NDRF Summer Conference proceedings | | The Nordic Demining Research Forum (NDRF) 2007 summer conference took place from the 22nd to the 24th of August 2007, in Varde, Denmark. It was organised in co-operation with the Danish Demining Center (DANDEC) and covered the following topics: Cluster Weapons, Detection and Systems, Mine clearance at Skallingen, Reclamation of Land Contaminated by Munitions Related Activity, and Operations. The document given in the link below summarizes the conference programme and includes links to all presentations. |
contact: NDRF | | More info... |
|
| September 2007 | | The report of the Experimental Cairo Trial of Mine and UXO Detectors is now available | In May 2007, a Mine and UXO detector trial was organised in Egypt in order to decide on the detectors to use for demining of the North Western Coast Region of Egypt. The trial was organised at a specially designed and prepared test field close to Cairo, and carried out by the UNDP Mine Action Program in Egypt, in close collaboration with the Cairo University and the Egyptian Armed Forces. Detectors from five manufacturers (CEIA, EBINGER, FOESRTER, MINELAB and VALLON) were tested according to the CEN Workshop Agreement CWA 14747 guidelines.
The trial report includes an overview of the tests, a discussion of the test results and conclusions. |
contact: Professor A. El-Nadi | | More info... |
|
| 27 - 30 August 2007 | | UXO / Countermine / Range Forum 2007 | The UXO/Countermine/Range Forum 2007, Countering Explosive Threats: Integrating Technologies and Forming Partnerships assembles the best researchers, developers, policy-makers, and program planners from industry, government, and contractors to showcase cutting-edge technologies, ideas, programs and partnerships. The most difficult challenges in countering explosive threats will be addressed in technical presentations, exhibits, speeches, and networking events at The Forum.
The program is planned to showcase the latest technologies, products, and services in the UXO, countermine, and range areas. Over 100 exhibitors from industry and government agencies world wide will present the latest products and services. The program further includes over 150 technical papers by military, government and contractor personnel covering amongst other the mission area of humanitarian demining. | | No contact info available | | More info... |
|
| 22-24 August 2007 | | Nordic Demining Research Forum (NDRF) Summer Conference 2007 | The annual Nordic Demining Research Forum (NDRF) Summer Conference, this year organised in co-operation with the Danish Demining Centre (DANDEC) will take place in Varde, Denmark from the 22nd to the 24th of August 2007. The participants are invited to present on-going work and activities related to mine clearance or with a bearing to development and improvement of mine clearance. In this way, NDRF wishes to stimulate research and development through qualified exchange of information.
The programme will cover the following major topics: cluster weapons, detection and systems, Skallingen, Reclamation of Land Contaminated by Munitions-Related Activity, and Projects, Organisations and Development. |
contact: Nordic Demining and Research Forum | | More info... |
|
| 21 - 28 August 2007 | | Special Session on Robotics, Sensors and Algorithms for Humanitarian Demining, ICAR 2007 Conference, 21-24.08.2007 | | The 13th International Conference on Advanced Robotics (ICAR 2007) will take place in Jeju, Korea from the 21st to the 24th of August 2007. Researchers and practitioners around the world are invited to attend ICAR 2007 to keep up with the recent advancement in the field of robotics and automation under the conference theme of Viable Robotic Service to Humans. The conference will cover a wide range of topics and will include a special session on Robotics, Sensors and Algorithms for Humanitarian Demining. More info on this special session is provided in the link below. |
contact: Maki K. Habib | | More info... |
|
| July 2007 | | Testing by ARESA during 2007 | | Aresa has received financial support from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs department of Humanitarian Assistance and NGO Cooperation (HUM) for the completion of a series of tests on leakage of TNT and TNT degradation products from different types of landmines in different types of soil and climatic conditions. |
contact: Aresa | | More info... |
|
| July 2007 | | Publication of the MV-10 demining machine test report | The MV-10 combined flail-tiller demining machine was tested by the HCR-CTRO in July – August 2005. The main trial aim was to gain information about the operational capabilities of the machine and its performance in test site conditions. The test report describes the performance of the machine, determined using a limited amount of AP and AT mines. It further provides information about the penetration depth and processing speed obtained in test lanes with three different soil types (Cerovac test facility) and in a mine suspected area.
A full performance test of the MV-10, according to the CEN Workshop Agreement CWA 15044 test protocol, was carried out in Autumn 2006. The associated test report will be published in the coming months. |
contact: Ivan Steker | | More info... |
|
| 28 June 2007 | | MineWolf Systems News | | The second 2007 issue of the MineWolf Systems Newsletter includes articles about the following topics:Next Generation MineWolf Bagger Provides Demining Capabilities in Difficult Terrain,MineWolf Systems Achieves Outstanding Results at the Humanitarian Demining Symposium,NPA Purchases 2nd Mini MineWolf for Demining Tasks in Bosnia-Herzegovina,MineWolf Withstands Multiple AT Mine Blasts at EOD Trial in Vienna, U.S. Department of State Shortlists MineWolf Systems For Support Funding in the Balkans andMineWolf Systems Exhibits at IDEF 2007 in Turkey. |
contact: MineWolf Systems GmbH | | More info... |
|
| May 2007 | | Publication of report on Test Methodology for Protection of Vehicle Occupants against Anti-Vehicular Landmine Effects | The Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) published a technical report on Test Methodology for Protection of Vehicle Occupants against Anti-Vehicular Landmine Effects. The report was compiled by the Human Factors and Medicine Panel (HFM) Task Group as a response to the identified lack of suitable information for injury assessment of the anti-vehicle mine threat, and the request to develop an injury assessment methodology for the qualification of the protection of light-armoured and logistic vehicles from (blast) landmines. The work is restricted to the biomechanical effects on vehicle occupants caused by the mechanical loading and overpressure effects occurring during an AP or AT (blast) mine detonation under a vehicle.
The report consists of 5 chapters amongst which a chapter on injury criteria and tolerance levels (chapter 3), and on test methods an procedures (chapter 4). It further includes annexes with detailed supplementary information as well as a test protocol for occupant safety measurements and injury assessment (annex I). | | No contact info available | | More info... |
|
| June 2007 | | The HCR-CTRO tested a new demining machine. | | A new demining machine CASPER-SMT-01 was tested by the HCR-CTRO in May 2007 at the Cerovac test-site. The machine, which is equiped with a tiller, was produced in 2007 and has not been used in demining yet. |
contact: Ivan Steker | | More info... |
|
| 24 - 27 April 2007 | | International Symposium on Humanitarian Demining 2007 - Mechanical Demining, Sibenik, Croatia | The Croatian Mine Action Centre (CROMAC) and the Centre for Testing, Development and Training (CTDT/CTRO) will host the 2007 International Symposium on Humanitarian Demining at Sibenik, Croatia.
The central theme of the 2007 event will be mechanical demining, and will mainly look at the following core issues that are of special interest to the mine action community: Area Reduction, Risk Management and Cost Effectiveness. Increased emphasis will be placed on sharing experiences and promoting the use of machines in all geographic regions.
In addition, there will be live demonstrations of equipment by machine manufacturers, and displays of other mine action equipment, including detectors, protective and logistical support equipment. |
contact: Sanja Vakula | | More info... |
|
| 9-13 April 2007 | | SPIE Conference on Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets XII, Orlando, Florida, USA | | The SPIE Conference on Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets XII will take place from the 9th to the 12th of April 2007 in Orlando, Florida. The final conference program includes sessions on the following topics:Acoustics,Electromagnetic induction, Radar,Littoral Studies,Spectral Sensing, Multi-Sensor Systems and Testing, Explosive Detection, andSignal Processing. |
contact: SPIE | | More info... |
|
| 29 March 2007 | | MineWolf Systems News | | The MineWolf Systems newsletter is intended to keep everyone interested in the subject regularly up-to-date about the latest developments. The current issue includes articles about the following topics:Latest CROMAC Test of the Mini MineWolf,MineWolf arrives in Wau, Sudan, Norwegian People Aid Mini MineWolf supports operations in Bosnia- Herzegovina, MineWolf Systems debuts at IDEX 2007 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, MineWolf passes Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing, Opening of MineWolf Systems East Africa, MineWolf Systems to demonstrate three machines at the Humanitarian Demining Symposium in Sibenik, Croatia |
contact: MineWolf Systems GmbH | | More info... |
|
| 3 March 2007 | | Publication of the GICHD Metal Detectors and PPE Catalogue 2007 | | The GICHD Metal Detectors and PPE Catalogue 2007 provides a comprehensive directory of detectors and personal protective equipment (PPE) under one cover. The catalogue includes: Commercial off the shelf metal detectors and multi-sensor detectors incorporating a metal detector for land mine and explosives remnants of war detection,Commercial off the shelf personal protective equipment, Annexes on the most recent test and evaluation of commercial of the shelf metal detectors (STEMD project), detector purchasing guidelines, and the CEN Workshop on test and evaluation of PPE. |
contact: Erik Tollefsen | | More info... |
|
| February 2007 | | Publication of the Mini MineWolf demining machine test report | During October-November 2006, the HCR-CTRO tested the Mini MineWolf mine clearance machine in order to gain information about its operational capabilities and its performance in test site conditions. The report describes the performance of the machine, determined using a limited amount of AP mines, and provides information about the penetration depth and processing speed obtained in test lanes with three different soil types (Cerovac test facility). It further gives an assessment of the Mini MineWolf vegetation cutting capability.
A full CWA 15 044 performance test of the Mini MineWolf is planned to be carried out by Germany under the ITEP banner in the course of 2007 |
contact: Ivan Steker | | More info... |
|
| January 2007 | | A first draft of IMAS 09.50 on Mechanical Demining is now available | IMAS 09.50 has been produced to provide guidelines and specifications that promote the safe, efficient and effective use of machines in demining operations. It forms the introductory standard to a series of IMAS that relate to mechanical demining.
The term mechanical demining operations refers to the use of machines on demining operations and may involve a single machine employing one mechanical tool, a single machine employing a variety of tools or a number of machines employing a vaiety of tools. The machines used on demining operations are divided in three categories: mine clearance machines, ground preparation machines, and Mine Protected Vehicles.
The draft document also includes a section on Testing and Evaluation. |
contact: UNMAS | | More info... |
|
| 13 December 2006 | | MineTech International News | | This is the second edition of the MineTech International Newsletter. It announces, amongst others, a new custom-designed lightweight armoured vehicle (Lightweight Detection Platform) developed for deployment in mine affected areas with the flexibility to carry a full range of mine detection technologies. |
contact: MineTech International | | More info... |
|
| 4 December 2006 | | MineWolf Systems News | | The MineWolf Systems newsletter is intended to keep everyone interested in the subject regularly up-to-date about the latest developments. The current issue includes articles about the following topics:Minefield Clearance Capacity build-up in Southern Sudan, MineWolf System delivered for Jordanian-Israeli border clearance project,Mini MineWolf proves its capabilities in the field, Continuous high-output demining operations in Croatia, and German Engineering Corps (Bundewehr) visit MineWolf Systems manufacturingsite. |
contact: MineWolf Systems GmbH | | More info... |
|
| 14 November 2006 | | Announcement of two CEN Workshops on Mechanical Applications in Humanitarian Demining. | The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) is chairing two CEN workshops that will meet three times over the period November 2006 to November 2007: Workshop 28 - Post Mechanical Clearance Requirements. The objective is to develop widely accepted and applied guidelines for follow up procedures to obtain improved efficiency in mechanical demining. More information can be found on the CEN Workshop 28 WebsiteWorkshop 29 - Evaluation Methods for Quality Control (Sampling) after Mechanical Demining. The objective of this workshop is to develop widely accepted and applied Quality Control and Quality Assurance Procedures so increasing confidence that the machine use is safe, reliable and fit for purpose. Details are available on the CEN Workshop 29 Website.
The first business plan meetings will be held in Brussels at the CEN Management Centre on 14 November 2006, and the first technical meetings in Croatia during the period 17 to 20 April 2007.
Please register using the online registration form on the corresponding CEN Workshop Websites. |
contact: Alan Macdonald | | More info... |
|
| 6 November 2006 | | The Proceedings of the August 2006 NDRF Summer Conference are now available. | | The Nordic Demining Research Forum (NDRF) summer conference took place from the 23rd to the 25th of August 2006, In Trondheim, Norway. It was organised in co-operation with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFT) and covered the following topics: Situation and Environment (international agreements and conventions), Operations (humanitarian demining, military training field clearance, etc.), Detection and Systems, and Risk and Liability. The document given in the link below summarizes the conference programme and includes links to all presentations. |
contact: NDRF | | More info... |
|
| 17 - 18 October 2006 | | Asymmetric Warfare 2006 Conference, Arlington, VA, US | The 2006 Conference - Enhancing Knowledge, Responsiveness, and Technology to Counter Asymmetric Threats - aims at bringing together government, military, academia, and industry to discuss information on existing capabilities, ongoing and future research and developments, requirements for explosives detection, avoidance and removal technologies.
The Conference includes a session on Humanitarian Mine/UXO Clearance Technology. More details on the two day programme can be found at the below link. | | No contact info available | | More info... |
|
| 26 - 27 September 2006 | | Vallon International Workshop on Systems and Tools for UXO and Mine Detection, Eningen, Germany. | Vallon is a manufacturer of mine and UXO detectors and sponsors an annual workshop to showcase new products and provide a venue whereby users and the manufacturer can exchange experiences. During the workshop the new Vallon products for detection of mines and UXOs will be presented, as well as the demining and EOD/IED tools of a subsidiary company. The final agenda is available at the link below.
The workshop is free of charge. Participants have to pay for hotel accommodation and travel expenses. A registration form can be found at the Vallon website. |
contact: Sonja Brucksch | | More info... |
|
| 23 - 25 August 2006 | | Nordic Demining Research Forum (NDRF) Summer Conference 2006 | The annual Nordic Demining Research Forum (NDRF) Summer Conference, this year organised in co-operation with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), will take place in Trondheim (Norway) from the 23rd to the 25th of August 2006. The participants are invited to present on-going work and activities related to mine clearance or with a bearing to development and improvement of mine clearance. In this way, NDRF wishes to stimulate research and development through qualified exchange of information.
The programme will cover the following four major topics:Situation and Environment OperationsDetection and SystemsRisk and Liability
The registration deadline is the 25th of June 2006. |
contact: Nordic Demining research Forum | | More info... |
|
| 17 - 20 July 2006 | | 2006 Requirements Workshop - Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia, US | | This workshop, which is by invitation only, has as goal to identify requirements that will assist the US Humanitarian Demining Research and Development Program. Emphasis is placed on equipment used for mine neutralization, detection and clearance. One day of the program is devoted to a demonstration and display of equipment that has been developed or is undergoing development. | | No contact info available | | More info... |
|
| 10 - 13 July 2006 | | UXO/Countermine/Range Forum 2006, Supporting the Warfighter, Las Vegas, US | The UXO/Countermine Forum is the preeminent conference on technology, programs, and partnerships organised by the United States Department of Defense. The theme for the 2006 conference is Supporting the Warfighter.
The mission areas to be addressed at the 2006 conference are: Improvised Explosive Devices Defeat, Countermine, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Munitions Response, Humanitarian Demining, Range Sustainment and Outreach. Over 150 technical presentations are currently being scheduled with as topics: detection and discrimination technologies, chemical-filled UXO identification and disposal, neutralization, protection (personnel and platforms), clearance, clearance using heavy equipment, disposal, location and mapping, and underwater specific technologies.
The preliminary programme, and all other information is available at the webiste given in the link below. |
contact: UXO Countermine Forum | | More info... |
|
| June 2006 | | Publication of the Guidebook on Detection Technologies and Systems for Humanitarian Demining | The aim of this GICHD publication is to provide the mine action community, and those supporting mine action, with a consolidated review and status summary of detection technologies that could be applied to humanitarian demining operations. It is meant to be used by a wide variety of readers. Where possible, technical specifications for the systems are given together with a list of relevant publications and contact information.
A significant feature of the Guidebook is the assignment of a technology readiness level, which is an assessment of how close the system is to actual deployment into mine action operations. |
contact: Al Carruthers | | More info... |
|
| 27 June 2006 | | MineWolf Systems News | | The MineWolf Systems newsletter is intended to keep everyone interested in the subject regularly up-to-date about the latest developments. The current issue includes articles about the following topics:Mini MineWolf undergoes accreditation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, More than 560 000 square metre cleared in one month in Croatia, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) emergency response tasks in Sudan, and an overview of MineWolf Systems exhibitions. |
contact: MineWolf Systems GmbH | | More info... |
|
| 19 - 21 June 2006 | | IARP Workshop RISE 2006 on Robotics for Risky Interventions and Environmental Surveillance, Royal Military Academy, Brussels, Belgium | The general objective of the International Advanced Robotics Programme (IARP) is to encourage development of advanced robotics that can dispense with human work for difficult activities in harsh, demanding or dangerous environments.
The RISE 2006 worshop will review and discuss the available robotics related technologies along with their limitations. The agenda also includes presentations on robotics related tools for humanitarian demining applications. |
contact: Yvan Baudoin | | More info... |
|
| June 2006 | | The 2006 version of the GICHD Mechanical Demining Equipment Catalogue is available now. | The aim of the GICHD Mechanical Demining Equipment Catalogue is to inform the field-based mine clearance community about the choice of machines currently or potentially available on the international market. It is the fifth edition of the publication produced by the GICHD and the information is accurate as at the end of December 2005. It includes a succint presentation of available equipment, an indication of the costs involved and the level of manufacturer logistical support that a programme could expect to receive for each particular machine. Contact details of the machine producers are also provided.
The equipment listed in the catalogue has not been tested or evaluated by the GICHD. However, whenever available test and evaluation reports are cited. In certain cases the experiences of field users with a particular machine are also cited. A comparative analysis of machines by category is provided at the end of each section.
|
contact: Klaus Koppetsch | | More info... |
|
| 2 -5 May 2006 | | Seventh International Symposium on Technology and the Mine Problem, 2-5 May 2006, Monterey, CA | | The scope of this symposium includes emerging technology of mines, fuses, and explosives; naval mine countermeasures; land countermine including minefield breaching, neutralisation of improvised explosive devices (IED), humanitarian demining, and site remediation of areas contaminated with unexploded ordnance (UXO) also known as the explosive remnants of war (ERW). |
contact: Al Bottoms | | More info... |
|
| April 2006 | | The Proceedings of the UNMAS GICHD Technology Workshop are now available. | A Technical Workshop that was co-sponsored by UNMAS and GICHD, was held at GICHD from the 15th to the 17th of February 2006. A total of 15 mine affected countries were represented along with six Non-Governmental Organizations and four commercial demining companies. The attendees were those at the operational level who were familiar with the current technical issues of demining operations.
Sessions that were conducted throughout the workshop included metal detectors and dual-sensor detectors, road clearance, manual demining, mechanical demining, personal protective equipment, neutralization devices, information management, communications, and surveys.
The proceedings of the workshop (including a summary of the discussions, recommendations and requirements) as well as the presentations are available at the GICHD link listed below.
|
contact: Al Carruthers | | More info... |
|
| 24-26 April 2006 | | Third International Symposium Humanitarian Demining 2006 on Mine and UXO Detection, Sibenik, Croatia. | The symposium, organised by HCR-CTRO d.o.o. and CROMAC, aims at contributing to the broader mine action community and to share experiences, especially in the following thematic fields: Use of metal detectors and dogs in mine and uxo detection, Demining methods and techniques – strengths and weaknesses, Efficiency assessment and field norms (metal detectors, dogs, demining machines), Testing, evaluation and accreditation of metal detectors, dogs and handlers, Protective equipment standards for deminers and support staff, New detection methods, Manufacturers, dog schools and demonstration of metal detectors and use of dogs.
The final deadlines for the submission of papers and conference registration are the 24th of February 2006 and the 17th of March 2006 respectively.. |
contact: Nikola Pavkovic | | More info... |
|
| 17-21 April 2006 | | SPIE Conference on Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets XI, Orlando, Florida, USA | The detection of mines, minefields and unexploded ordnance is a challenging problem because of the variability in target shape and size, material, color, and backgrounds and because they can undergo changes once deployed. In general, mine detection is hampered by problems of low detector signal under common environmental conditions. Detection frequently occurs in the presence of significant amounts of both natural and anthropogenic clutter. In order to increase the effectiveness of mine detection it is essential to develop technically superior sensor modalities, better understand environmental effects on sensors, implement innovative uses of sensors, and enhance sensor fusion and data fusion capabilities.
The final conference program includes sessions on the following topics:Electromagnetic induction, Spectral Sensing, Environmental effects,Acoustics, Littoral studies, Explosives Detection, Radar, Multisensor and Signal processing.
Results of the 2005 ITEP dual-sensor test campaigns and of the soil characterisation work that was carried out under the ITEP umbrella will also be presented (see detailed conference agenda). | | No contact info available | | More info... |
|
| March 2006 | | MineTech International News | | This is the first edition of the MineTech International Newsletter. It covers two product developments (Mine Detection Vehicle Pookie, Medium flail MT140) enhancing both mine detection and ground clearance. It also looks at the difficulties facing clearance teams in Laos and reports on how lessons learned in mine clearance are helping global security services. |
contact: MineTech International | | More info... |
|
| 9 March 2006 | | MineWolf Systems News | | The MineWolf Systems newsletter is intended to keep everyone interested in the subject regularly up-to-date about the latest developments. The current issue includes articles about the following topics:MineWolf opening up roads in Sudan, MKA*DemING MineWolf team clears 1, 400,000 m2 in 2005, MineWolf supporting NPA to implement Task Assessment and Planning (TAP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mini MineWolf completes the MineWolf product range. |
contact: MineWolf Systems GmbH | | More info... |
|
| 15-17 February 2006 | | Pre-liminary announcement of a UNMAS/GICHD technical workshop on mine clearance, February 2006 | The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), with the generous assistance of the Government of Canada, will co-host a Technical Workshop on mine clearance to consider a range of current practical issues. The Workshop will take place at the GICHD in Geneva from the 15th to the 17th of February 2006. Attendance will be on invitation only.
The specific aims of the Workshop are: To address technical issues, requirements and practices, at the operational level.To explain, exchange and share ideas and methods to improve efficiency.To provide a forum where equipment requirements can be expressed and recorded.
While the Workshop will concentrate on ways to improve mine clearance, including manual and mechanical methods, requirements and suggestions about any supporting area of mine action may also be addressed. |
contact: Noel Mulliner | | More info... |
|
| February 2006 | | Publication of the report Development of a Pyrotechnic Torch for Mine Destruction and Capable of Local Manufacture. | The report summarizes the results of a study funded by the UK Department for International Development (DfID) and carried out by Disarmco Ltd and Cranfield University. The aim of the study was to provide a cheap, readily available alternative to high explosives used during mine clearance that also could be manufactured by local workers.
Different compositions were tested on their penetration capability. The best composition was then selected for further testing on simulated (in UK) and live (in Lebanon) AP mines. Other tests including sensitiveness of the torch components and sensitivity of the torch to temperature, impact and humidity were also performed. In-country trials (in Cambodia) were carried out to test the mobile factory and the concept of local workers manufacturing the torches.
The project has shown that it is possible to manufacture a pyrotechnic torch that can be filled safely using a water slurry as a filling medium. It was further demonstrated that local workers could use the mobile factory and manufacture torches that performed as required. Currently, a set of 1200 torches (marketing name: Dragon) are being produced in Cambodia and test fired by mine action organizations in the country against a wide range of UXO. Full details of these tests will be available in May 2006. |
contact: Alistair Craib | | More info... |
|
| 1 February - 9 March | | Test and evaluation of Japanese mine detection devices at the HCR-CTRO Benkovac test site and associated workshop. | On the 30th of November 2005 a Co-operation Agreement was signed between the Croatian Mine Action Centre - Centre for Testing, Development and Training (HCR-CTRO) and the Japanese Science and Technology Agency (JST) on the test and evaluation of four mine detection devices (sensor systems + support vehicles). The trial will be conducted from the 1st of February to the 9th of March 2006 at the Benkovac test facility. The main aim of the joined Croatian - Japanese trial is to confirm the performance of dual-sensor systems (metal detector combined with ground penetrating radar) in comparison with existing metal detectors.
Within the framework of the trial, HCR-CTRO and JST will also organise a workshop (16th of February 2006), in order to present the mine detection systems undergoing testing and discuss preliminary test results. |
contact: Nikola Pavkovic | | More info... |
|
| December 2005 | | Publication of the CEN Workshop Agreement on EOD Competency Standards | The CEN Workshop Agreement CWA 15464 covers the conventional munitions disposal part of EOD in mine action. The purpose of this CWA is to provide an accurate assessment tool to enable appropriate recognition of the professional competence of an individual. The use of it should allow Mine Action Programs to enhance the capacity building process by providing a tool for planning and assessing the personal development of staff.
The CWA 15464 consists of a general requirements document, a competency matrix and three additional documents with the competency requirements for EOD level 1, EOD level 2 and EOD level 3 respectively. This CWA should be used to define the competency required by different categories of staff on technical matters related to mine action activities. |
contact: Christer Karlsson | | More info... |
|
| 30 November 2005 | | Second call for workshop on Inventory and analysis of operationally validated results related to mine action space - and airborne surveys | | This one day workshop is planned to take place in Zagreb, on the 30th of November 2005. The main goal of the workshop is a critical inventory of the current state of the art of mine action space - and airborne survey techniques and an analysis of past projects from the point of view of the end-user, i.e. the mine action community. |
contact: Milan Bajic | | More info... |
|
| 29 November 2005 | | MineWolf Systems News | | The MineWolf Systems newsletter is intended to keep everyone interested in the subject regularly up-to-date about the latest developments. The current issue includes articles about the following topics:Sudan: MineWolf enters the field in Yei, Kenya: Demonstrations at Nairobi Demining School, Balkans: Review on Minewolf Operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and People: Paul Collinson joins MineWolf Systems. |
contact: MineWolf Systems GmbH | | More info... |
|
| 29 November 2005 | | Independent presentation of mine action technologies during the 6th Meeting of the States Parties (6MSP) | The event, which will take place on the margin of the 6MSP on the 29th of November 2005 (1 - 3 pm, Kumrovec Hall), aims at showing end-users and donors that demining technologies have made substantial progress and that new tools are ready to be fielded.
The agenda includes: Dual-sensor detectors, lessons learned during trials in Angola, by David Daniels (ERA Technology), 25 min Mechanical technologies: performances, lessons learned, advantages and drawbacks, by Chris Weickert (director of CCMAT), 25 min Information technologies: the new IMSMA version and its possible link with other systems, by GICHD, 25 min Lessons learned on mine action technologies, by Dennis Barlow (director of MAIC), 25 min. |
contact: Marc Acheroy | | More info... |
|
| November 2005 | | Publication of the full report on the 2004 comparative trials of manual clearance techniques in Mozambique. | The report describes a series of trials that were held to gain data for the GICHD Study of Manual Mine Clearance. The trials pitted varied manual demining techniques against each other in a common environment in order to assess their relative efficiency in terms of speed and safety. Eight manual demining systems were compared in terms of speed, safety to the deminer, safety to the end-user, comfort and confidence. The trials compared entire systems (not just the tool variations) including area-marking and internal quality assurance. The methods/systems tested were: - standard metal-detector use with signal-investigation tools
- standard metal-detector use with magnet attached to signal-investigation tools
- standard metal-detector use with signal-investigation tools and a magnet Brush-rake
- area-excavation using an enxada (mattock) and conventional investigation tools
- area-excavation using a conventional garden spade and conventional investigation tools
- area-excavation using an NPA excavator and conventional investigation tools
- area-excavation using a rake-based system (REDS)
- prodding, using standard low-friction prodder and conventional investigation tools
|
contact: AVS Mine Actions Consultants | | More info... |
|
| November 2005 | | Publication of a summary report on trials with the ZEUS-1 demining machine | | The report summary provides an overview of the results obtained during testing of the ZEUS-1 tiller, carried out by the Croatian Centre for Testing Developement and Training (CTDT/CTRO). Results include operational performance parameters such as average area treated per hour and treatment depth. Furthermore, they also include results of testing with a limited number of AP pressure activated mines, AP fragmentation mines and an AT mine. |
contact: Ivan Steker | | More info... |
|
| October 2005 | | First call for workshop on space- and airborne surveys in the area of mine action. | The one day workshop is planned to take place in Zagreb, Croatia between the 28th of November and the 2nd of December 2005. The objectives of the proposed workshop are to inventory and analysis operationally validated results related to mine action space and airborne surveys, and to extract lessons learned, recommendations and suggestions for standardisation.
More background information on the planned workshop can be found in the third issue of the Mine Action Technology Newsletter. |
contact: Milan Bajic | | More info... |
|
| October 2005 | | The full trial report on comparing alternative manual drills in Sudan is now also available. | | The report describes a series of trials that were held to gain data for the GICHD Study of Manual Mine Clearance. Experimental drills designed to minimise time lost to watering of indications in sun-hardened Sudanese soil are compared with the standard drill. The objectives of the trial were: to explore all aspects of the dynamics of the drills, and to investigate the effects of watering on clearance rates for each drill. |
contact: Tim Lardner | | More info... |
|
| September 2005 | | Publication of the GICHD Study of Manual Mine Clearance | | The study into manual mine clearance has been managed by the GICHD and consists of five sub-studies of key aspects of manual mine clearance. The study examines in detail the drills, techniques, equipment and procedures used for manual mine clearance, and reviews the management of operations. It seeks to define a set of parameters that affect the efficiency of manual mine clearance and to develop a series of benchmarks or planning figures for operations, including clearance rates and costings. It also analyses the issues of risk in relation to both the process and the product of manual mine clearance.
|
contact: Tim Lardner | | More info... |
|
| September 2005 | | The Proceedings of the August 2005 NDRF Summer Conference are now available. | The conference was organized by the Nordic Demining Research Forum (NDRF) and the Swedish EOD and Demining Centre (SWEDEC) from the 24th to the 26th of August 2005. The presentations, which are all available in pdf format, cover three major topics: Humanitarian Demining - Systems, Detection and OperationsIED, Improvised Explosive Device, and Clearing of UXO-contaminated land and the transfer thereof to civilian use.
Several presentations also covered ITEP and its ongoing dual sensor trials of the HSTAMIDS (see ITEP Work Plan , Project Nr. 2.4.2.6 ) and the MINEHOUND (see ITEP Work Plan , Project Nr. 2.4.2.4). |
contact: Ole Nymann | | More info... |
|
| September 2005 | | Airborne Remote Sensing and Remote Sensing for Humanitarian Demining, 15-17 September 2005, Zagreb, Croatia | | The session on Airborne Remote Sensing and Remote Sensing for Humanitarian Demining is a special session of the Fourth International Symposium on Image and Signal Processing and Analysis. The aim of the session is to present the technology development in the area of system, platform and sensor identification, calibration, algorithms, and implementations. It further aims at providing a platform for discussions about current issues and research directions for airborne remote sensing and remote sensing for humanitarian demining purposes. |
contact: Milan Bajic | | More info... |
|
| 24-26 August 2005 | | Nordic Demining Research Forum (NDRF) Summer Conference 2005 | The annual NDRF Summer Conference, this year organised in co-operation with SWEDEC, will take place in Stockholm from the 24th to the 26th of August 2005.
The programme is divided into four sessions:Improvised Explosive Devices, Transfer of land from military to civilian use,Biosensor technologies status and development (incl. chemical detectors), and Detection and signal processing. |
contact: NDRF | | More info... |
|
| June 2005 | | The 2005 version of the GICHD Metal Detector and PPE Catalogue is available now. | The Catalogue provides information on most detectors currently available to the humanitarian mine clearance market. Independent performance tests on a range of detectors presented in the catalogue are available from the project Systematic Test and Evaluation of Metal Detectors (STEMD) executed by the European Commission Joint Research Centre, together with other partners under the umbrella of the International Test and Evaluation Project for Humanitarian Demining (ITEP Project Nr. 2.1.2.3).
The GICHD Catalogue further features a chapter on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and includes an annex giving information on various detection technologies currently in development. |
contact: Al Carruthers | | More info... |
|
| 21-23 June 2005 | | International Workshop on Robotics and Mechanical Assistance in Humanitarian Demining (HUDEM2005), 21-23 June 2005, Tokyo, Japan | | The 6th IARP (International Advanced Robotics Programme) Workshop on Robotics and Mechanical Assistance in Humanitarian Demining will be held in Tokyo from June 21st through 23rd, 2005, just after the International Advanced Robotics Programme - Joint Coordinating Forum meeting. The objective of this workshop is to encourage development of systems, which dispense humans from demining operation in harsh and demanding or dangerous environment, to meet strong operational needs of robotic and other advanced technologies for more reliable, more efficient and safer demining operation. |
contact: Yvan Baudoin | | More info... |
|
| 2-4 May 2005 | | Symposium on Advanced Sensor Payloads for Unmanned Air Vehicles, 2-3 May 2005, Lisbon, Portugal | | The symposium is organised by the Sensors Electronics Technology Panel of the NATO Research and Technology Organisation (RTA). It will focus on advanced and innovative sensor technology and associated elements applicable to Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) payloads which can respond to emerging concepts and new requirements within the NATO community. Whilst the symposium will cover a broad class of UAVs a particular focus will be micro and mini UAVs (with payloads up to 10 kg). | | No contact info available | | More info... |
|
| 25 - 28 April 2005 | | Second Expert Symposium Humanitarian Demining 2005 - Use and Testing of Demining Machines, 25 - 28 April 2005, Sibenik, Croatia | The symposium is organised by CROMAC and CROMAC-Centre for Testing, Development and Training Ltd. (CROMAC-CTDT). It aims at contributing to the wider mine action community and exchange experiences, especially in the following thematic fields:Position and role of demining machines in humanitarian demining, Testing and awarding compatability grade of such machines, Development of demining machines and combination with other methods.
In addition there will be exhibits from machine manufacturors and demonstration of machines at work. |
contact: Nikola Pavkovic | | More info... |
|
| 2 - 4 May 2005 | | 3rd International Workshop on Advanced Ground Penetrating Radar, 2-4 May 2005, Delft, The Netherlands | | The 3rd International Workshop on Advanced Ground Penetrating Radar will be held at the Delft University of Technology (Delft, The Netherlands) during May 2-4, 2005. The Workshop is devoted to the development and applications of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) techniques in surface and subsurface investigations. The goal of the workshop is to spread knowledge about GPR technology and its use in applications, amongst others humanitarian demining, as well as to provide a possibility for all participants to exchange ideas about the advances in their work and latest results. |
contact: SĂ©bastien Lambot | | More info... |
|
| April 2005 | | Preliminary announcement of Seventh International Symposium on Technology and the Mine Problem, May 2006 | | The symposium is planned to take place from the 1st to the 4th of May 2006, in Monterey, CA. The scope of the symposium includes emerging technology of mines, fuzes, and explosives; naval mine countermeasures; land countermine including minefield breaching, neutralization of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), humanitarian demining, and site remediation of areas contaminated with unexploded ordnance (UXO) also known as the explosive remnants of war (ERW). |
contact: Albert Bottoms | |
|
| 3-7 April 2005 | | 18th Annual Symposium on the Application of Geophysics in Engineering and Environmental Problems (SAGEEP), Atlanta, Georgia, USA | | The symposium will include a special session on soil properties/characteristics and their relevance to geophysical surveys. The latter session aims at bringing together scientists from varied backgrounds, to present and discuss recent studies dealing with the effects of soil properties on geophysical sensors and surveys. Theoretical, data processing, experimental, and case studies will be included.
|
contact: Remke van Dam | | More info... |
|
| 28 Mar. -1 Apr. 2005 | | SPIE Conference on Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets X, Orlando, Florida, USA | | Next to a wide variety of topics on new and enhanced mine sensor technologies, multi-sensor fusion techniques, modelling and image processing, the conference will also feature a dedicated session on the effects of the dynamic soil processes and environmental conditions on landmine signatures. | | No contact info available | | More info... |
|
| 16 March 2005 | | Test and Evaluation of Mine Detection Sensor Systems (prototypes), organised by the Japanes Science and Technology Institute. 16 March 2005, Sakaide City, Japan | | The Japanes Science and Technology Institute (JST) will be conducting a field demonstration of dual sensor mine detectors (Ground Penetrating Radar - Metal Detector) on the 16th of March 2005. The demonstration is organised during a test and evaluation campaign of the GPR - MD systems, developed by the JST. The test and evaluation is planned to start in February 2005 and will take over a month. More than 200 dummy mines will be used in seven test courses, including rough terrain surface, a lane simulating soil conditions after mechanical demining and damp soil. |
contact: Yun Ishikawa | | More info... |
|
| November 2004 | | The first issue of the Mine Action Technology Newsletter is now available. | | The Newsletter, produced by the UNMAS and the GICHD, aims at collecting the sources of information on technology and alerting operators to some new ideas and thoughts. The Newsletter will be produced on a quarterly basis, if possible, but will depend on the reaction and needs of the readers. The Newsletter will not deliberately duplicate work being done by other organisations, or media, but will attempt to assist by advertising these facilities and sites, with some useful comment. Readers are invited to provide their own comment on the Newsletter and to make constructive suggestions to the Editors. |
contact: Noel Mulliner | | More info... |
|
| November 2004 | | A report on Performance Tests of Demining Machines, executed by SWEDEC, has been published. | | The report describes the performance tests that have been executed by SWEDEC during 2001 on three different pieces of mechanical demining equipment: Scanjack 3500 (double flail), Hydrema MCV 910 (single flail) and the Mine-Guzzler (tiller). The reports have been translated into English by the Scandinavian Demining Group AB (SDG) and full responsability for the translation lies with them. |
contact: Ola Modigs | | More info... |
|
| 24-26 November 2004 | | Second Technical Conference of the Angolan Geophysical Society on the Contribution of Geophysics to Humanitarian Demining | | A first conference was held two years ago. This year, the conference will consist of six thematic workshops of which one workshop will be dedicated to humanitarian demining (Workshop 4). The main objective is to bring together geophysicists and governmental institutions, international organisations and NGOs concerned with humanitarian demining issues in Angola, in order to discuss the potential contribution of geophysical methods to the humanitarian demining task Angola is facing. |
contact: Buca | | More info... |
|
| 16-17 November 2004 | | Advanced Countermine Technology Conference, Washington, DC. | | The Advanced Countermine Technology Conference features in-depth sessions on detection and sensor technologies that are advancing the cause of countermine efforts. Although this two days conference, organised by the US Institute for Defense and Government Advancement, is mainly focussed on countermine issues, it also includes a small session Perspectives on Humanitarian Demining. | | No contact info available | | More info... |
|
| 5-6 October 2004 | | EUDEM2 Final Workshop: Is Humanitarian Demining Technology a Broken Promise? | | The Workshop aims at providing information on the current state and future trends in humanitarian demining and related efforts in research and development. The Workshop will bring together donors, humanitarian demining organisations, and technology developers in order to analyse what has happened to date and sketch future trends. |
contact: Karin de Bruyn | | More info... |
|
| 28-29 September 2004 | | Vallon International Workshop 2004, Systems & Tools for UXO and Mine Detection | | The Workshop was planned to be held on the 28th and 29th of September 2004. However, due to a delay with the production of the dual-sensor (Vallon VMH3 and ERA Ground Penetrating Radar) the Workshop has been postponed. It will probably be held during February 2005. The main topics to be included are:- Dual Sensor Mine Detector (Hand-held Metal Detector Vallon VMH3 and ERA Ground Penetrating Radar for the detection of mines with and without metal content) - Combined Multi Sensor Array (Metal Detector and Magnetometer) - Metal Detector with Software for Object Depth Calculation - New Software VALLON EVA2000 2.X - New Force Ware Products - International Guest Speakers and Live Demonstrations - Exchange of Experience with International Participants | | No contact info available | | More info... |
|
| 25-27 of August 2004 | | Nordic Demining Research Forum (NDRF) Summer Conference 2004 | | The Conference will take place from the 25th to the 27th of August 2004 in Frederikshavn, Denmark in co-operation with the Navy in Frederikshaven. The main agenda topics will be: - Combined Detection methods, - Mines and UXO in Sea Environment and - Detection, Signal and Image Processing |
contact: Ole Nymann | | More info... |
|
| 27-30 July 2004 | | Workshop on Scent Detection | | Recent technological developments in vapor detection indicate a huge potential for this technology in a wide range of applications. Both direct detection, but even more remote sensing by sniffer animals is a technology, which has not yet been fully utilized. This workshop aims to bring together experts from different fields of applications to look at strategies for further development and implementation of scent detection. The venue is the Institute for continued education at the Sokoine University of Agriculture, where APOPO has been developing its technology using sniffer rats for explosives detection. Conference results will be compiled on a CD. |
contact: Christophe Cox | | More info... |
|
| June 2004 | | New Report on Risk Management and Landmine Clearance | | The report describes a generic risk management methodology for mine clearance. Aspects of the generic approach were then used to develop risk management strategies for Cambodia and Bosnia, countries presenting different problems and hence requiring very different approaches. Other issues discussed in the report include acceptance of non-negligable risk by all stakeholders and implications for manual demining. |
contact: Julian Williams | | More info... |
|
| 16-18 June 2004 | | International Workshop on Robotics and Mechanical Assistance in Humanitarian Demining | | The general objective of the International Advanced Robotics Programme (IARP) is to encourage development of advanced robotic systems that can dispense with human work for difficult activities in harsh, demanding or dangerous environments, and to contribute to the revitalization and growth of the world economy. The working group HUDEM of IARP is organizing its fifth international workshop, after successful workshops. In cooperation with the European Networks EUDEM-2, CLAWAR-2 and EURON, this WS gives also the opportunity to extend the possible use of Robotics Systems in Humanitarian Demining to similar outdoor risky interventions, and consequently introduce a fruitful discussions on the OUTDOOR Robotics challenges. |
contact: Yvan Baudoin | | More info... |
|
| May 2004 | | Publication of the updated study: Metal Detectors for Humanitarian Demining: a Patent Search and Study | | The second revision of the study, which was carried out under the EUDEM2 Project, represents a major improvement with respect to the previous releases: a large number of patents have been added (nearly 200), with about 20 of them directly related to metal detectors for demining aplications.Furthermore, all patents are available online as pdf files linked to the main document. A CD-ROM version, which also contains all patents, will be available shortly. |
contact: Karin de Bruyn | | More info... |
|
| 9-13 May 2004 | | MINWARA - SIXTH Monterey Demining Symposium | | The Sixth Monterey International Symposium on Technology and the Mine Problem is planned for May 9-13, 2004. We will continue our primary emphasis on technology and technical research, contributing to major systems applications in mine technology, naval mine warfare, land mine warfare, humanitarian demining, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) site remediation. |
contact: Suzanne Wyatt | | More info... |
|
| 21-23 April 2004 | | International Symposium "Humanitarian demining 2004" - Šibenik, Croatia | | The aim of the Symposium is to exchange experiences in the field of humanitarian demining, to improve humanitarian demining by implementing positive achievements, as well as bring together all experts, scientists, equipment producers and other mine action participants. In addition, the Symposium is intended to serve as the platform for exchanging experiences, ideas, making new contacts. However, it is also important to bring up new issues between experts, scientists and equipment producers through the presentations, exhibitions, in the area of humanitarian demining. Mine Action Center representatives that are dealing with planning, preparing and organizing humanitarian mine clearance are specially invited to make this symposium even more successful through the presentations, papers and by sharing their experience in the area of humanitarian demining with others. |
contact: mivanusic@hcr.hr | | More info... |
|
| 12-16 April 2004 | | Defense and Security Symposium 2004 | | The Defense & Security Symposium is designed to meet the technical, educational, and business needs of the engineers and scientists who develop and utilize electro-optical, digital, and microwave technologies for sensor-related defense and security applications. Discussions of both "spin-on" and "spin-off" commercial applications of defense- and security-related technologies helps keep members of the scientific and technical community at the cutting edge of their professions. |
contact: Bonnie Peterson | | More info... |
|
| March 2004 | | Publication of NATO RTO HFM TG-024 report Test Methodologies for PEE Against Anti-Personnel Mine Blast | | This report presents the results of TG-024. It provides background information about mine explosions and the injuries they inflict on their victims. This sets a reference against which the reader can assess the discussion on test methodologies. This discussion is broken down in three sections. The first describes the basic elements that a test methodology must have. The second addresses methods designed to test PPE that protects the lower extremities. The third is focussed on PPE that protects the upper body. Following this discussion, the report presents the TG recommendations with respect to test methods for the assessment of PPE performance against AP blast and fragmentation mines. Finally, conclusions are presented along with a brief recommendation for future work. The report is supplemented with several annexes that contain information relating to mines, past experience of the participating nations, mine injuries, etc., which were too detailed for inclusion in the main text. | | No contact info available | | More info... |
|
| 2010-05-04 | | MineWolf Systems news | | The May 2010 issue of the MineWolf Systems Newsletter includes articles on the following topics:New MineWolf Product – the Medium MineWolf (MW330)Mini MineWolf in the Democratic Republic of Congo Additional capacity for AngolaMedium MineWolf Machine shown at Military Engineering SummitMineWolf Systems working in CyprusMineWolf machine moves to the Blue Nile state in Sudan MineWolf deploys to Uganda MineWolf Systems to exhibit at Eurosatory in Paris. |
contact: MineWolf Systems | | More info... |
|
|
|
|
|
Recent Entries
| Vallon International Workshop - Detectors, Systems & Tools for Demining, EOD and IED | | more info... |
| Mine Action Technology Workshop 2010, Geneva, Switzerland | | more info... |
|
|
|
Other Event Calendars
GICHD
MAIC
|
|
|
