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Full-Text Articles in Other Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration

Survey Of Suspected Mined Areas From A Helicopter, Milan Bajic Oct 2003

Survey Of Suspected Mined Areas From A Helicopter, Milan Bajic

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

While awaiting the results of airborne remote sensing projects, available in a few years, a simpler solution is recommended. Remote sensing from a manned helicopter for the general survey of minefields and risk-suspected areas has already been developed and was operationally validated in 2002 and 2003 in Croatia.


Scientific Contributions To Demining Technology: Beliefs, Perceptions And Realities, Ian Mclean Oct 2003

Scientific Contributions To Demining Technology: Beliefs, Perceptions And Realities, Ian Mclean

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

At a four-day conference in Brussels, scientists and demining practitioners exchanged findings from their studies of old and new demining technologies. The following article discusses some of the key developments and implications from the conference.


Mine Action Technologies: Problems And Recommendations, M. Acheroy Oct 2003

Mine Action Technologies: Problems And Recommendations, M. Acheroy

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mine action research and development (R&D) is an ongoing process that has yielded many insightful and invaluable technologies. Future mine action R&D will require the collaboration of end-users, donors and technologists in order to develop equipment and tools based on real needs rather than assumed needs.


The Truth About Flails, Cisr Jmu Oct 2003

The Truth About Flails, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Developed in the 1940s for use in World War II Europe, the flail was designed and proliferated to satisfy the demining community’s hunger for faster, safer and more efficient clearance methods. Despite being the most widely used mechanical demining tool in the world, the flail has been labeled by many experts as overused and misrepresented. Still, others believe the flail is an indispensable part of their demining program.


Area Reduction: A Solution Whose Time Has Come, Bob Eaton Oct 2003

Area Reduction: A Solution Whose Time Has Come, Bob Eaton

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Collectively, the mine action community has spent over $1.7 billion (U.S.) since 1992, yet it remains uncertain how much closer we are to the goal of a mine-free or even a mine impact-free world.


Rest In Bosnia: A Pilot Test Of Detection Capability, Rune Fjellanger, Ian Mclean, Håvard Bach Oct 2003

Rest In Bosnia: A Pilot Test Of Detection Capability, Rune Fjellanger, Ian Mclean, Håvard Bach

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The following report discusses the results of a pilot study designed to investigate the possibility that Remote Explosive Scent Tracing (REST) technology can be used for area reduction in Bosnia-Herzegovina.


Priority Setting For Mine Action, J.J. Van Der Merwe Oct 2003

Priority Setting For Mine Action, J.J. Van Der Merwe

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Due to a lack of resources to enable all mine-affected communities to be cleared, countries must prioritize mine action activities. The following article addresses prioritization and suggests a new model to help improve the process.


Suspected Hazard Area Mapping In Non-Technical Landmine Surveys, Rune Engeset Oct 2003

Suspected Hazard Area Mapping In Non-Technical Landmine Surveys, Rune Engeset

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article is a reference for individuals who are planning on performing non-technical landmine surveys of suspected hazard areas or for those individuals who plan to use such data. The author brings the process to life through this detailed account from the description of suspected hazard areas to mapping the data, to storing the data and improving its method.


The Cost Capture Issue In Humanitarian Mine Action, Robert Keeley Oct 2003

The Cost Capture Issue In Humanitarian Mine Action, Robert Keeley

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The necessity of cost capture is often overlooked in the mine action community. A truly successful cost assessment must include clear and effective cost-capture mechanisms and even a standard structure used throughout different mine action programs.


Lessons-Learned: A Learning Process, Cisr Jmu Oct 2003

Lessons-Learned: A Learning Process, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

During the summer of 2003, we were tasked with soliciting information regarding experience and lessons learned from the mine action community while interning for the Mine Action Information Center (MAIC). We were highly enthusiastic throughout our project while learning the many rigors of data collection and information sharing.


Standardized Testing Of Metal Detectors, T.J. Bloodworth, A.J. Sieber Oct 2003

Standardized Testing Of Metal Detectors, T.J. Bloodworth, A.J. Sieber

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Stemming from initiatives to promote standardization within humanitarian mine action, a European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Workshop has been established to standardize the testing of metal detectors. This has produced a CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) that gives principles, guidelines and procedures for detector testing.


Landmine Impact Survey: Measurement And Display Of Suspected Areas, Hemi Morete Oct 2003

Landmine Impact Survey: Measurement And Display Of Suspected Areas, Hemi Morete

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The purpose of a Landmine Impact Survey (LIS) is "to facilitate the prioritisation of human, material and financial resources supporting humanitarian mine action at the national, regional and global level." The LIS process provides a different approach by measuring the socioeconomic impact of landmines on affected communities. The global application of the LIS has successfully refocused attention away from a purely quantitative measurement of a mine and UXO threat to a qualitative assessment of impact on mine-affected communities.


Rest Sampling: Landmine Detection Using A Fido Device, Mark Fisher, John Sikes, Kip Schultz Oct 2003

Rest Sampling: Landmine Detection Using A Fido Device, Mark Fisher, John Sikes, Kip Schultz

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Using ultra-sensitive vapor detection sensor tools like Fido, Remote Explosive Scent Tracing (REST) techniques are bringing innovative and interesting developments to the mine action community. These tools could very well put greater technology in the field alongside conventional detection techniques.


Vegetation Clearance Equipment: Huge Potential In Productivity Improvement, Nathan Kunz Oct 2003

Vegetation Clearance Equipment: Huge Potential In Productivity Improvement, Nathan Kunz

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Upon development of its D-1 vegetation clearance vehicle, DIGGER DTR (Demining Technologies) has successfully responded to many of the demands of the demining community. The second generation, the D-2, will feature several new upgrades and is expected to appear on the market by 2005.


Can Honey Bees Assist In Area Reduction And Landmine Detection?, Jerry Bromenshenk, Colin Henderson, Robert Seccomb, Steven Rice, Robert Etter, Susan Bender, Phillip Rodacy, Joseph Shaw, Nathan Seldomridge, Lee Spangler, James Wilson Oct 2003

Can Honey Bees Assist In Area Reduction And Landmine Detection?, Jerry Bromenshenk, Colin Henderson, Robert Seccomb, Steven Rice, Robert Etter, Susan Bender, Phillip Rodacy, Joseph Shaw, Nathan Seldomridge, Lee Spangler, James Wilson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Honey bees have recently received considerable attention from the popular press as an innovative method to detect a variety of explosives, landmines and UXO. Many of these reports are inaccurate and may encourage individuals and demining groups to “sell” a service that they poorly understand or lack the experience to properly apply. As the developers of this technology, we offer the following summary about the current status of this alternative for landmine detection, including its strengths and limitations.


Pigs: A Demining Tool Of The Future?, Jennette Townsend Oct 2003

Pigs: A Demining Tool Of The Future?, Jennette Townsend

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

“Pigs are one more means of fighting against the garbage of the war,” says Giva Zin, an animal trainer from Israel whose research on the landmine detection capabilities of pigs is receiving widespread recognition from the mine action community. This article highlights his research on the use of pigs for mine detection.


Priority Setting For Mine Action, Lutful Kabir, Emil M. Hasanov Oct 2003

Priority Setting For Mine Action, Lutful Kabir, Emil M. Hasanov

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Due to a lack of resources to enable all mine-affected communities to be cleared, countries must prioritize mine action activities. The following article addresses prioritization and suggests a new model to help improve the process.


It’S A Bird, It’S A Plane—It’S The Mineseeker Airborne Mine Detector!, Cisr Jmu Oct 2003

It’S A Bird, It’S A Plane—It’S The Mineseeker Airborne Mine Detector!, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Partnering with QinetiQ and The Lightship Group, the Mineseeker Foundation is developing a system to revolutionize mine detection. By deploying the first operational airborne landmine survey system, the foundation aims to provide the mine action community with a quicker and more efficient survey tool. Additionally, the Mineseeker has the potential to be useful in a number of other areas necessary for development in mine-affected countries.


Imsma V3.0: Experiences From The ”Imsma Diaspora”, Mohammed Qasim, John Walker Oct 2003

Imsma V3.0: Experiences From The ”Imsma Diaspora”, Mohammed Qasim, John Walker

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) V3.0 was released June 2003, and early experience with the system has been positive. Salient features are summarized, including geographic information system (GIS) capabilities based on ArcView GIS. Recommendations include operations-oriented training focusing on reporting information from IMSMA. The following article describes the new version and discusses local customization. The authors also describe upgrading to IMSMA V3.0 based on experience as IMSMA administrators and trainers within their organizations.


Bozena 4 Mine Clearing Flail System, Marián Zimmermann Oct 2003

Bozena 4 Mine Clearing Flail System, Marián Zimmermann

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The new BOZENA 4 Mine Clearing Flail System is one-of-a-kind in many aspects, from the tracking of AP and AT mines to the lightweight and small design that enables BOZENA 4 to be easily transportable.


Putting Sea Mammals To Work: Dolphins Help Coalition Forces In Iraq, Nicole Kreger Aug 2003

Putting Sea Mammals To Work: Dolphins Help Coalition Forces In Iraq, Nicole Kreger

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In the first moth after arriving in Iraq, the dolphin teams achieved a number of successes, including unofficial clearance of 913 nautical miles of water, investigation of 237 objects, and recovery and/or destruction of over 100 mines.


From Kosovo To Afghanistan, Cluster Bombs Again, Fernando Termentini Aug 2003

From Kosovo To Afghanistan, Cluster Bombs Again, Fernando Termentini

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Cluster bombs have created problems in several countries, as they are one of the many unexploded hazards often left behind after a conflict. This article gives an overview of the threat and shows how the organization Intersos has been working to help clear up the problem.


Multicriterial Analysis Application In Mine Action, Damir Gorseta Aug 2003

Multicriterial Analysis Application In Mine Action, Damir Gorseta

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The author proposes how multicriterial analysis should be used to select areas where demining will have the strongest impact on risk reduction, return of displaced persons, and revitalisation of economic and social life.


In The Name Of Humanity, Eddie Banks Aug 2003

In The Name Of Humanity, Eddie Banks

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A recent study of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) mine action programme concentrated on the effective use of donations from political, financial and productivity perspectives. The premise of the study was that similar tasks, undertaken by a similar work force, with similar training and equipment, in the same time period, should be achieved with comparable timeframes and costs. Results and analysis of the BiH programme from the past several years are discussed below.


Opportunities For Regional Cooperation In Mine Action In Southeastern Europe, Ian Mansfield Aug 2003

Opportunities For Regional Cooperation In Mine Action In Southeastern Europe, Ian Mansfield

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The goal of addressing landmine problems in southeastern Europe (SE Europe) with a regional approach entails the cooperation of countries on a number of complex issues. The following article discusses some of the primary issues involved in the process of incorporating a regional approach to landmine problems in SE Europe.


Gis Helps Harvest The Dragon Seed, Jim Baumann Aug 2003

Gis Helps Harvest The Dragon Seed, Jim Baumann

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In an effort to establish regional coordination of demining activities in southeast Europe, the European Commission (EC) prepared and proposed a Geographic Information System (GIS) project called the “Geographical Information System for Mine Action in Southeast Europe” (GISMASE). The goal of the project is to create high-definition maps that will include the identification of mined areas and their socio-economic and security implications, as well as the development of GIS training capabilities so that the project can be locally supported.


Logistics-Explosives-Safety, Rolf Oechslin, Jørgen Schneider Aug 2003

Logistics-Explosives-Safety, Rolf Oechslin, Jørgen Schneider

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Cost, safety, and compliance with international regulations are among the most important factors with respect to shipping explosives. The following article gives detailed insight into the transport and storage of explosives necessary for destroying mines and UXO.


Use Of Multi-Criteria Analysis In Allocating Eod Teams In Humanitarian Mine Action, Robert Keeley Apr 2003

Use Of Multi-Criteria Analysis In Allocating Eod Teams In Humanitarian Mine Action, Robert Keeley

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In this article, the author aims to set out how a standard economic planning tool, multi-criteria analysis (MCA), can be used to help plan allocation of mobile explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams between regions in a humanitarian mine action program and solicit comments on how the model could be developed.


Imas And Ppe Requirements, Andy Smith Apr 2003

Imas And Ppe Requirements, Andy Smith

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This paper explains the personal protective equipment (PPE) that a demining group must use in order to comply with the United Nations’ International Mine Action Standards (IMAS). The author was an active member of the User Focus Group advising the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) when they made the current IMAS revision. He continues as an elected member of the IMAS Review Board. The author has also maintained a database of demining accidents for five years, and uses the evidence of real accidents to inform his views on protection needs.


Manual Demining In Lebanon, Max Dyck Apr 2003

Manual Demining In Lebanon, Max Dyck

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

MineTech International has been tasked with clearing 1,300 square kilometres of land in southeast Lebanon. In the space of nine months, MineTech deminers have disarmed and destroyed 23,300 mines, clearing 2.2 million of the total three million square metres of land. As MineTech approaches completion of this first major task in Lebanon, MineTech Project Manager Max Dyck and Team Supervisor Moses Sibanda present their individual perspectives on the challenge.