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Field evaluation of Chubby informs future systems

A recent field evaluation of the Chubby, Rapid Route and Area Mine Neutralisation System (RRAMNS) will help inform future capability design work of Army RRAMNS systems as well as point the way for improvements to currently in-service vehicles.

The trial, conducted by 1st Brigade's Combat Engineer Regiment (1CER) and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), had three aims:

• To gather baseline data on Australia's current route clearance system in Australian conditions
• To use the data to inform future acquisition programs for RRAMNS (Project Land 133), and
• The evaluate the systems performance for the 1CER.

The week long trial was conducted in the heat and humidity of Darwin's build up to the wet season where ambient temperatures of 36oC resulted in dismounted soldiers working in black bulb temperatures of 53oC reflected from the ground. The relative humidity varied between 40 and 70 percent.

Army acquired the Chubby systems from South Africa. They have been in service for more than a year now. Chubby is comprised of one detection vehicle, one detection and towing vehicle which are capable of driving over mines without setting them off, and three trailers which are designed to check (proof) a route to ensure that the mines have been removed, before the route is used by other vehicles.

Equipment in the lead vehicle (called a 'Meerkat') provides a visual and audible signal to the operator when the presence of a metallic object is indicated. The sensors are accurate to less than a square metre. Hand-clearing, or manual neutralisation, is then used to confirm the presence of a mine and to remove or destroy it.

A second detection vehicle (called a 'Husky'), similar to the lead vehicle but towing three mine detonating trailers, is then used to proof the cleared route. The three trailers proof the route by detonating non-metallic and anti-personnel mines by the weight of the trailers (about 22.5 tonnes). The Husky has the detection capability of the Meerkat however being larger and heavier it is only used in this role in an emergency.

The 'Chubby' system is able to detect mines at speeds of up to 35 km/hr. Both the vehicles and trailers have been engineered to withstand the blast of anti-tank mines. Chubby has been successfully used in Bosnia and Uganda
In terms of the system performance aspects of the trial, DSTO gathered data to determine the system's strengths and limitations to inform development of doctrine for its use by Army engineer units. This advice will aid in the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for route/area clearance. Workload, work stress, and possible solutions such as cooling vests, as well as ergonomics were important aspects of the trial. DSTO is also undertaking complementary work with armoured vehicle crews however the Chubby environment is somewhat unique.

DSTO Countermine Research Task Manager, Dr John Haub conducted a two-day investigation of the detection capability of the Chubby vehicles. Dr Haub's analysis of this work is a key part of the development of Army doctrine and SOP.

Heat-stress and its management was also an important area of research in the trial. Core body temperature measurements were made on soldiers driving the vehicles and wearing bomb suits as they conducted manual mine clearance tasks. DSTO investigated the use of ice-gels on core body temperature. Worn in pouches around the torso, the gel packs cool the body as they melt. Core body temperatures were carefully monitored by DSTO's Dr Mark Patterson and Mr Mark Jaffery in coordination with 1CER Snr First Aider SPR Scott Credlin.

Lieutenant Ryan Oswin, Troop Commander of Construction and Resources Troop, 23 Support Squadron, 1 CER, said constant hydration was vital while working on jobs like main supply route clearance tasks.

"While the gel pack was just one of a number of possible alternatives, the cooling effect did aid in improving the comfort of vehicle operators and mine handling specialists," he said.

"Scientific evidence supports the finding that keeping operators cool increases their endurance in the heat," said DSTO researcher Mr Graham Schliebs. Dismounted soldiers, tasked with simulated 'hand clearing, or manual neutralisation' of mines 'discovered' during the trial, wore the gel-packs one day and worked without them on the other in order to determine whether these changed soldier performance.

Heat inside the vehicles was also a factor examined under the ergonomic aspects of the trial. A louvred window system for cabin windows was found to reduce heat transfer in the non-air-conditioned vehicles.

A DSTO specialist in industrial design and ergonomics formed part of the trial team. Stan Livissianos had spent a career designing cockpits for rail carriages and lent his knowledge to the evaluation of dashboards and the interior environment of the Chubby cabins.

"We found that the louvred windows will make up to a 5°C difference," Mr Livissianos said.

DSTO will prepare a series of reports for Army after analysis of data obtained is complete.

Further information:

Manager, Defence Science Communications (Edinburgh)

Mr Steve Butler
Defence Science Communications

DSTO Edinburgh
PO BOX 1500
Edinburgh
South Australia 5111

Phone:

(08) 8259 6923

Fax:

08 8259 6191

Email:

stephen.butler@dsto.defence.gov.au

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is part of Australia's Department of Defence. DSTO's role is to ensure the expert, impartial and innovative application of science and technology to the defence of Australia and its national interests.

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