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Seventh Mine Action Technology Workshop: A Space For Innovation, Arsen Khanyan, Inna Cruz
Seventh Mine Action Technology Workshop: A Space For Innovation, Arsen Khanyan, Inna Cruz
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The 7th edition of the Mine Action Technology Workshop, a biennial event organized by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), took place from 7–8 November 2019 in Basel, Switzerland. Titled Remote Sensing and Robotics in Mine Action, the workshop welcomed 165 participants from forty-nine countries, representing eight-five organizations.1 It offered a platform to discuss and share ideas and experiences that promote the efficient use of innovation and technology in humanitarian mine action (HMA). This unique event is aimed at bringing together mine action professionals, manufacturers, national authorities, operators, and representatives from the United Nations as well as …
Catholic Relief Services: Information And Communication Technology In Monitoring And Evaluation, Nguyen Tuan Phong, Ta Thi Hai Yen
Catholic Relief Services: Information And Communication Technology In Monitoring And Evaluation, Nguyen Tuan Phong, Ta Thi Hai Yen
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In February 2015, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Vietnam initiated a new project to support the reintegration and rehabilitation of survivors of accidents involving landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). With funding from the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA), CRS’ Access and Reintegration (A&R) project takes a comprehensive approach to serving the needs of 3,219 survivors of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces. Through collaboration with the Government of Vietnam’s provincial Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA), CRS provides survivors …
21st Century Survey In Eastern Ukraine And The Use Of Technology In Insecure Environments, Nick Torbet, Patrick Thompson
21st Century Survey In Eastern Ukraine And The Use Of Technology In Insecure Environments, Nick Torbet, Patrick Thompson
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The conflation of humanitarian and military spheres has long been a feature of modern conflict, restricting access to areas in which the need for humanitarian assistance is greatest. However, the advent of mobile technology has provided novel opportunities to circumvent old problems. In Ukraine, The HALO Trust’s (HALO) ability to conduct nontechnical survey is restricted in certain areas, and the security environment means this is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, HALO pioneered a number of techniques that allowed for systematic assessments of the region, painting a general picture of contamination that will facilitate pro-active non-technical survey once …
Flail Technology In Demining, Ashish Juneja
Flail Technology In Demining, Ashish Juneja
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
With the use of rollers, tillers and chain flails, the focus of minefield clearance has shifted since the early 1980’s from military to humanitarian demining. These machines can clear 200–300 mm of soil depending on the speed of the vehicle and its configuration, the soil type and the terrain. Unfortunately, heavy machines are difficult to operate at these slow speeds unless large amounts of power are available to run and rotate the flails. Moreover, recent literature cites the use of modern technology in demining (e.g., infrared imaging, ground penetration radar, thermal neutron activation and X-ray tomography). Mechanical machines, however, are …
Technology Research In Mine Action: Enough Is Enough, Russell Gasser
Technology Research In Mine Action: Enough Is Enough, Russell Gasser
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Twenty years ago I started work on a doctorate thesis asking the question: “Why has research into new technologies for mine action had so little success?” My research discovered that about one billion dollars had been spent by the year 2000 on fundamental and applied research to produce new technologies to solve the mine problem. The resulting benefit for humanitarian mine action was indeed very small. Since then, large-scale spending has continued with limited success. Researchers and their funders have not learned from continued, expensive failure. There is clear cause and effect at work, which means that many research projects …
The Mine Action Technology Workshop, Nicole Neitzey
The Mine Action Technology Workshop, Nicole Neitzey
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Sponsored by the United Nations Mine Action Service and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, the Mine Action Technology Workshop is a biannual event held in Geneva, Switzerland in early September. The 2010 event featured theoretical and practical discussions, as well as a newly added opportunity to see technology in action. This article highlights the events and outcomes of the workshop.
Qr Hits A Homerun: Landmine-Detection Systems Based On Quadrupole Resonance Technology Show Progress, Peter Turner, Caroleen L. Williams
Qr Hits A Homerun: Landmine-Detection Systems Based On Quadrupole Resonance Technology Show Progress, Peter Turner, Caroleen L. Williams
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This study explains how quadrupole resonance technology in mine-detection systems improves with use and drastically reduces false alarms and deminer fatigue.
Roadmap For Mine Action Robotic Technology Development, Pedro Santana, António Mestre, José Barata, Luís Flores
Roadmap For Mine Action Robotic Technology Development, Pedro Santana, António Mestre, José Barata, Luís Flores
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This paper presents some of the AMI-02 project preliminary work. The project is being developed by Integrators for Robotic Systems (IntRoSys) with funding from the Portuguese National Defence Ministry. The strong bond between Portugal and some African countries (i.e., former Portuguese colonies) is the main drive for the application of this project.
Where Technology And Field Information Meet: The Metal Detector Handbook, Dieter Guelle, Andy Smith, A.M. Lewis, T.J. Bloodworth
Where Technology And Field Information Meet: The Metal Detector Handbook, Dieter Guelle, Andy Smith, A.M. Lewis, T.J. Bloodworth
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Metal Detector Handbook for Humanitarian Demining explains what all operators need to know about modern metal detectors. If trying to test, select or simply use a detector to its optimal ability, this handbook will show the user exactly what is needed. The handbook is in pocket A5 format and is resistant to field use.
Serving Mine Action With Technology, Pehr Lodhammar
Serving Mine Action With Technology, Pehr Lodhammar
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Swedish Rescue Services Agency (SRSA) is a Swedish governmental organization. It maintains a high level of emergency preparedness so that, with short notice, it can assist during international relief operations with specialist personnel and equipment. SRSA involvement in international mine action mainly supports Mine Action Coordination Centers (MACCs) through the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS), where SRSA personnel hold positions within the MACC. SRSA has been contributing to research and development of new mine detection and clearance technology by concentrating on two specific projects: BIOSENS and DEMAND.
Bridging The Gap Between Users And Developers, Jennette Townsend
Bridging The Gap Between Users And Developers, Jennette Townsend
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Has the communication between demining technology users and developers improved over the last 10 years? Most agree that while there have been improvements, the need for further improvement overshadows the positive developments.
Technology's Promises, Cisr Jmu
Technology's Promises, Cisr Jmu
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Every technology under development makes big promises. Here are five projects that may someday impact the world of mine action.
Mine Action Technology Now And In The Future: Is It Realistic To Expect Great Leaps Forward In Technology?, Håvard Bach
Mine Action Technology Now And In The Future: Is It Realistic To Expect Great Leaps Forward In Technology?, Håvard Bach
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
In order to realistically predict the future of demining techniques and technologies, past and present technology must first be examined and critiqued.
National Mine Action: Problems And Predictions, Vernon Joynt
National Mine Action: Problems And Predictions, Vernon Joynt
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
I recently received an e-mail with real good bait on the line so I would commit to sticking my neck in the noose once more. The questions included: Will technology ever improve speed and safety in Humanitarian Demining (HD)? What is the comparative efficiency among commercial, military and NGO clearance? Will dogs be more or less integrated into HD programs? When will land use priorities determine clearance priorities? Is "donor fatigue" a reality? If so, how do we fix it? These questions are right in the middle of my current pet struggle to give technology its rightful role and place …
Technology And Its Use In The Mine Field, Geoff Coley
Technology And Its Use In The Mine Field, Geoff Coley
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Canadian Center for Mine Action Technologies (CCMAT) outlines a cycle of development and testing which should help more useful technologies make it to mine fields. In this article, three products are introduced that successfully follow this cycle.
On The Cutting Edge Of Landmine Technology, Cisr Jmu
On The Cutting Edge Of Landmine Technology, Cisr Jmu
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The tools and technology of the demining world are constantly developing and improving. This article briefly describes several new instruments and techniques currently being developed that will hopefully aid in future demining activity.
The Human Touch, Russell Gasser, Terry Thomas
The Human Touch, Russell Gasser, Terry Thomas
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Biting insects, inaccessible terrain, impenetrable bamboo thickets and thorn bushes. Mine clearance in Cambodia is a hot, sweaty business at the best of times. Because tripwires hidden in the undergrowth could trigger explosions, the vegetation has to be cleared by hand before mine detection can start. It is a tedious matter and can occupy two-thirds of a mine clearer's working day.
Conquering The Insurmountable, Stephanie Schlosser, Virginia Saulnier
Conquering The Insurmountable, Stephanie Schlosser, Virginia Saulnier
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Canadian Center for Mine Action Technologies (CCMAT) is a partnership of resources from the Department of National Defense and Industry Canada. The Center is co-located with the Defense Research Establishment Suffield (ORES) at Canadian Force Base Suffield in Alberta.
Geomines: Exploring Manual Demining Techniques, Geo Velez
Geomines: Exploring Manual Demining Techniques, Geo Velez
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Since its creation, Geomines has assumed an active role in the demining community. Accredited by the United Nations, the European Commission and the BHMAC of Sarajevo, Geomines is the result of the combined efforts of marine-oriented Geocean Solmarine and the mine clearance-oriented E.O.D. NewTechnologies.
The Actuator: Demining Innovations, Lee Felsenstein, Steven E. Saunders
The Actuator: Demining Innovations, Lee Felsenstein, Steven E. Saunders
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
This approach to humanitarian demining differs from generally accepted methodology. It has not yet been tried, and the purpose of this article is to ensure that the general concept is placed in the public domain, where it may be debated and modified without considerations of intellectual property. Interval Research Corporation, where this idea originated, is not in the business of mine clearance, or of manufacturing mine clearance systems, so the idea is being passed along to the community best capable of analyzing it.
Developing New Technology For Humanitarian Demining, Russell Gasser, Terry Thomas
Developing New Technology For Humanitarian Demining, Russell Gasser, Terry Thomas
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
Despite the spending of hundreds of millions of dollars on high-tech research over the last few years, local humanitarian deminers still use traditional prodders and metal detectors. The biggest recent technical innovation has been mechanical vegetation clearance which was mostly developed in the field and bypassed the research route.
Boys With Toys Chase Silver Bullet, Joe Lokey
Boys With Toys Chase Silver Bullet, Joe Lokey
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
One of those wonderful little anecdotes in the mine action community that everyone quotes and misquotes allegedly came from a 13-year old school girl in Halifax, Nova Scotia. When hearing of the technical challenges in locating and destroying antipersonnel mines she asked, "Why is it that we can run a mechanized shoe box around the surface of Mars but can't seem to locate a dangerous tin can just a few centimeters below the surface of the earth?" Out of the mouths of babes...
International Pilot Project For Technology Cooperation, George Zahaczewsky
International Pilot Project For Technology Cooperation, George Zahaczewsky
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
After a year of preparation and soliciting international support, the United States entered into agreement with Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the European Commission to conduct a project to test metal detectors suitable for humanitarian demining applications. This effort is seen as a pilot project for future international cooperation in demining technology development, and is a critical first step in formally establishing a functional, broadly based international program to test and evaluate humanitarian demining technology.
Demining: Enhancing The Process, Colin King
Demining: Enhancing The Process, Colin King
The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction
There is a good deal of frustration surrounding the demining component of mine action; much stems from the sneaking suspicion that technology to improve the process already exists. Almost everybody recognises that humanitarian demining is slow and dangerous, and most see a need to enhance it. But despite years of research, little has changed in the field: what's going wrong?