Humanitarian De-mining

Abstract

Under the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (OASD SO/LIC), the Humanitarian Demining Research and Development (HD R&D) program element develops, demonstrates and validates new technologies for DoD-supported nations to detect and clear landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), and to contribute to US military countermine R&D. The HD R&D Program works closely with the Geographical Combatant Commands (GCC) and the Humanitarian Demining Training Center (HDTC) to identify, develop and implement mine/UXO detection and clearance technologies; speed improvements to technologies used by U.S. forces in support of USG operations; reduce the threat to host nation population and US forces; reduce insurgent access to explosives (landmines and UXO); enhance mine action capacity of non-governmental organizations and mine action centers in mine-affected countries; and provide engagement opportunities for DoD personnel in mine-affected countries. Evaluations of HD R&D Program-developed technologies in actual minefields are conducted by host nation demining partners (foreign military, non-governmental organizations and mine action centers) and provide valuable data for US military countermine R&D and next generation HD technology developments while directly contributing to world-wide mine and UXO clearance. Since 1995 the program has fielded technologies for 189 evaluations in 39 countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Zimbabwe, Iraq and Afghanistan. The program’s technologies have cleared 33.5 million square meters of the world’s toughest minefields; found or destroyed 159,000 mines and UXO; and provided 387,000 mine/UXO disposal charges with 50 tons of explosive recovered from stockpiles and abandoned munitions in PACOM. New technology requirements and areas of emphasis are identified and validated at a biennial Requirements Workshop and a biennial UXO Working Group Meeting held by OASD SO/LIC. The meetings involve representatives from Department of State (DOS), GCCs and mine-affected nations. The program element’s work is consistent with the Department of Defense’s strategic guidance to address instability and reduce the demand for significant US force commitments to stability operations; with DODI 3000.05 to foster security, economic security and development, and build indigenous capacity; and with § 407 and CJCSI 3207.01C to reduce the social, economic and environmental impact of landmines, unexploded ordnance and small arms ammunition.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2017
• Source ID: 920_0603920D8Z_4_0400_PB_2017

Tags

Readers

• Geochemistry
• Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.
• Munitions and Ordnance Engineering