Scientists and engineers at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) are at the forefront of groundbreaking research into new drone technology that could revolutionise mine clearance operations. This innovative development aims to enhance the safety and mobility of Armed Forces personnel by clearing mined areas faster and more safely.
Surface laid mines, explosives, and buried munitions pose significant threats to the freedom of movement and mission effectiveness of the Armed Forces. To address this, the Dstl team, in collaboration with industry partners, conducted trials with NATO allies in Spain and at the Suffield Research Centre in Canada. By combining advancements in unscrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and low size, weight, and power (SWaP) sensing, the team developed innovative concepts for explosive threat detection.
James Cartlidge MP, the Minister for Defence Procurement, emphasised the importance of this research, stating, “We’ve all seen the threat to safety and military advancement that mines can still pose. The UK and our NATO allies are spearheading research into this technology, which has the potential to not only enhance protection for our Service Personnel but also speed up battlefield progress.”
Matt Chinn, the Chief Delivery Officer of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, highlighted the potential of this technology, saying, “Converging the latest drone and sensing technologies could give us the ability to detect and destroy deadly mines and explosives without putting lives at risk. It could also give us the ability to clear mined areas better, quicker, and cheaper – allowing military operations or humanitarian missions to proceed.”
The research on mine-detecting drones has the potential to revolutionise land warfare by significantly reducing the threat and effectiveness of ground mines. Early detection of these threats can be crucial in determining the next course of action on the battlefield.
Dr Paul Hollinshead, the Chief Executive of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, praised the collaboration between Dstl, UK industry, and international partners. He stated, “This is Dstl working with UK industry and international partners at its best. Highly innovative, developing new concepts, sharing expertise, and harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to save lives.”
The recent two-week NATO trials provided international and academic organisations with the opportunity to showcase their UAV-mounted sensor concepts. Through these trials, a range of modified, novel, and bespoke sensing technologies were demonstrated. The UK system performed well, and the results will be used to prioritise the next stages of research and development. The project will be developed over the next decade as part of the Ground Area Reconnaissance and Assurance (GARA) project, funded by the front-line command.
