NationStates Jolt Archive


Sarzonia rolls out new 'land minesweeper'

Sarzonia
17-11-2005, 15:35
Z-29 'Hunley' mine detection/clearance vehicle

Background Among the problems encountered by world militaries was an issue of facing both hard-to-detect anti-personnel mines and improvised explosive devices (IED) in urban warfare and counterinsurgency warfare operations. The need to detect and eliminate such weapons in support of military operations in a vehicle that increases mobility and allows more efficient logistics support. The result of the development is the Z-29 'Hunley' tracked mine detection/clearance vehicle.

Detection Both micropower impulse radar and nuclear quadrupole resonance provide detection capabilities for anti-personnel mines generally made of plastic and for IEDs that that address the limitations of standard detection methods that may be effective against anti-tank mines often made of metals but are less able to detect common anti-infantry weapons employed by conventional enemies and insurgents. The nuclear quadrupole resonance in the Hunley detects nitrogen-rich compounds used in explosives, while micropower impulse radar is used to measure distances of objects in close proximity. The use of both systems makes the Hunley capable of detecting embedded ground threats without the disadvantages of using bomb sniffing dogs, namely, fatigue and smell masking that can fool dogs.

Defusing Instead of creating two vehicles, one for detection and one for defusing weapons, the Incorporated Ordnance Company chose to use the same vehicle to accomplish both missions. To accomplish this, the Hunley uses a Laser Ordnance Neutralisation Sytem (LONS), which consists of an industrial solid state laser engineers expect to use to ignite explosive devices from an outer range of 300 metres. The LONS is highly durable, able to fire up to 2,000 times per day, and is highly cost-effective, an advantage even for the most generous spending military units. In the event of device failure due to either system malfunction or ordnance damage, a Sherman Crab-type system uses a spinning disk that uses chains to swirl around, causing premature detonations and protecting military assets.

Protection The Hunley is not designed as a front-line combatant, but in a modern world, a minimally armed vehicle was not considered an option even though it is not intended to combat main battle tanks. As a compromise, IOC enginners employed the 60 mm autocannon it developed for the Z-34 'Bonham' MBT as the main weapon. This allows it to be employed effectively against enemy personnel and light-skinned combat vehicles. A 8.78 mm S-200 Quinn & Collins battle rifle provides a secondary weapon effective against personnel. In addition, the Hunley also uses 10 smoke grenades to enhance stealth qualities. Another aspect of the Hunley is its armour protection. The first layer of armour protection is electric reactive armour, which provides an effective first layer of defence against HEAT rounds. Bracing that layer is a Chobham armour scheme over a titanium/aluminum alloy honeycomb structure, providing excellent protection against most weapons systems. Ballistic ceramics make up the fourth layer and are intented to counter both kinetic energy and HE rounds. A layer of rubber and spectra provide a spall liner and provide limited utility against radiation.

SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 6.2 m; Height: 2.1 m; Width: 1.85 m
Weight: 12,900 kg
Armament: 1 x 60 mm autocannon; 1 x 8.78 mm S-200 Quinm & Collins battle rifle; 10 smoke grenades
Ground Clearance: 0.45 m
Protection (RHA Values/HE): Front: 350 mm
Sides: 210 mm
Rear: 175 mm
Top: 125 mm
Propulsion: One Alydar hybrid diesel-electric engine (1,100 hp)
Speed: 120 km/hr. road; 90 km/hr. (cross-country); 10 km/hr. (snorkel)
Operational Range: 550 km
Complement: Three (Commander; driver; technician/gunner
Price: $3.5 million
Sarzonia
17-11-2005, 20:52
bump
Sarzonia
18-11-2005, 05:23
*bump*