Testing mines / Surrogate mines

Dummy testing mines are used by military forces, companies and organizations involved in mine clearance operations, in order to test mine detection and mine clearance systems. During the developmental stages of different mine detection and clearance systems, it is necessary to use mines in order to test the systems’ performance. Naturally, it is very problematic to use live mines for these experiments. Using mines containing explosive material without a mechanism also poses a problem. Therefore, it is necessary to use special mines for testing that will best simulate live mines within the following criteria:

• The shape of the mine
• The mechanism structure
• The shell material
• The metal contents in the mine
• The explosive material inside the mine

For the last 15 years, Cortex Engineering has been specializing in developing and manufacturing dummy testing mines. The mines are widely used by companies engaged in developing different mine detection systems and mine clearance systems, and among others, companies that develop systems in the following

technologies:

• Mechanical systems for mine clearance that work under tilling or milling or flail principle.
• Mine detection systems with GPR – Ground Penetration Radar.
• Different systems for photographing minefields from the air.
• Metal-detector-based mine detectors.

Properties

• Metal mechanism based on the same material, type, size and shape of the parts in live mines.
• Filling material (a special wax) that is dielectrically identical to that of explosive materials, such as RDX, C4, TNT, and Comp. B.
• Thermal diffusivity is similar to the one in a live mine.

Applications

• Testing and comparing mine detection systems.
• Training forces in mine detection techniques.
• Testing and examination of mechanical systems for mine clearance.

Advantages

• Using testing mines instead of live mines for training and testing detection systems.
• Enables placing a mine in the ground for an extended period of time (in order to create a testing area with conditions as close as possible to a real minefield), which eliminates the need for the usual precautions required when handling live mines.
• Reduces testing costs of detection systems.
• Enables simulating a variety of mines while using a single kit.

Technical Specification

• Enclosure: ABS plastic
• Filling material: wax
• Mechanism: steel, 6 different sizes
• Size:
  • AT, 30cm' diameter, 10cm' height
  • AT, 25cm' diameter, 8cm' height
  • AT, 20cm' diameter, 6.5cm' height
  • AP, 12cm' diameter, 6cm' height
  • AP, 9cm' diameter, 4.5cm' height
  • AP, 6cm diameter, 4cm' height

ATM – Advanced Training Mine

The Advanced Training Mine (ATM) is based on the body and mechanism of a live mine, but does not contain explosives.

Instead of explosive material, a special mechanism is installed inside the mine that activates a buzzer upon activation of the mine mechanism (mine fuze).

The mine’s mechanism is similar in properties and structure to a live mine; therefore the same amount of pressure will set it off.

The ATM was developed for the purpose of improving the training level of soldiers, by simulating a tangible indication for the activation of the mine in case it is stepped on, or in case of negligent treatment.

The Advanced Training Mine, developed by Cortex Engineering, is different from dummy mines (other training mines that are used around the world). Regular dummy mines only simulate a live mine’s external shape, but do not provide an indication to the deminer’s success in handling the mine, apart from discovering it in the ground. The ATM will provide immediate indication, in the form of a siren, the moment the mechanism is activated in a situation where the mine was not discovered but only stepped on or in a situation where the mine was discovered but was mishandled by the deminer and as a result the mechanism was activated.

Inside the body of the mine, where the explosive material is located in a live mine, there is an electronic system that includes the following components:

• Main power switch
• Electrical circuit
• Micro switch
• Buzzer/siren
• Voltage output
• Battery housing and battery

The mine’s mechanism is identical in its properties to a live mine mechanism. When the mechanism is activated (by stepping on the mine), the electrical circuit is closed, which activates the siren and discharges voltage to the voltage output in the mine. The voltage output in the mine can be connected to any pyrotechnical device in order to simulate a noise effect of a real explosion. Obviously, the pyrotechnical accessory must be placed at a safety distance from the mine, in accordance with the safety instructions of the accessory.

Training Level Improvement

Using the Advanced Training Mine significantly improves the level of training. The trainees reach a much higher level, in a shorter period of time. By using the ATM, the ability to provide a real indication to the trainees’ success in detecting the mines contributes to the training’s success in various ways:

• The trainee is required to be very focused and cautious, since any mistake will cause the mine to activate.
• The training session is more realistic and tangible.
• The instructor in charge receives an unequivocal indication of a trainee’s ability to handle a mine.
• The trainees’ motivation level increases; now they are fully aware that any of them can activate the mine while everyone else is watching.
• Using regular dummy mines will prevent the trainee from develop the required sensitivity to handle a live mine. While handling the ATM, the trainee will receive a real and immediate feedback on his detection skill level.

Properties of the Advanced Training Mine

• Based on the type of mine defined by the client.
• The mine’s case/body and mechanism are identical to a live mine.
• Arming and activation are identical to a live mine.
• Activation threshold is identical to the required pressure in a live mine.
• Multiple uses; resetting the mechanism within a few seconds.
• A powerful siren.
• Voltage output to connect pyrotechnical accessories for explosion simulation.
• Voltage source: 9V battery.

Training Mines Surrogate Mines –AP (Anti-Personnel) Mines \ AT (Anti-Tank) Mines

Cortex Engineering LTD develops and manufactures different types of AT and AP mines for various applications. Training mines have several purposes and uses:

• Training soldiers and mine clearance teams in mine detection.
• Arming and neutralizing the mine’s mechanism.
• Anchoring and trapping mines.
• Practicing minefield crossing or minefield breaching techniques.
• Testing mechanical systems for mine clearance.
• Training using a mine detector.
• Testing Ground Penetration Radar – GPR and advanced mine detection systems.

There are several levels of training mines, which are determined by the purpose of their use.

Basic Level – Dummy mines that are of the same external appearance as live mines. These mines are mainly used for testing mechanical mine clearance machines.

Level 1 – Dummy mines that have identical body build and color as live mines. They are used mainly for introductory training with mines, and for detection and clearing training with a prodder, shovel and digging tools.

Level 2 – Dummy mines that have identical body build and color as live mines, and they also have an identical amount and type of metal as in a live mine. These mines are mainly used for practicing mine detection with metal detectors/mine detectors.

Level 3 – Dummy mines that have identical body build and color to live mines, and also contain the same mechanism (fuze/fuse) as in a live mine. These mines are primarily used for high-level training practices of mine detection and neutralization by using a combination of techniques with metal/mine detectors, prodders and manual digging tools. These mines can be used for practicing mine fuze neutralization

Level 4 - The highest level – Dummy mines that are similar to live mines in build and color, they contain the same mechanism as in a live mine, and also contain a substance that simulates the physical characteristics of a real mine’s explosive. These mines are used mainly for high-level training practices of mine detection and neutralization by using a combination of metal/mine detectors, GPR (ground-penetration radar), probes and manual digging tools. They are also used for testing different systems that identify the explosive material inside the mine, in addition to identifying the mine case and mechanism materials.

Training mines manufactured by Cortex Engineering are widely used by different military forces around the world, to train combat engineering forces, infantry forces and automotive forces in mine detection and clearance techniques. In addition, the mines are used by mine action centers, mine clearance companies and organizations, as well as organizations that develop and test tools and special systems for mine detection and mine clearance. These organizations use the training mines to test their equipment under conditions similar to real minefield conditions.

Thanks to the use of Cortex Engineering training mines, users reach a higher readiness and operational level to handle live mines in the field, whether it’s clearing minefields in post conflict areas or entering a minefield during a military operation.

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Services

Cortex provides various consulting services in its areas of expertise. The services are provided by the company's team of employees, who possess years of operational experience and knowledge in developing dedicated tools, in operating them and testing their performance in the field.

The company offers consulting services in the following fields:

•  Mine detection
•  Detecting and identifying explosive devices
•  Removal and destruction of UXO (Unexploded Devices)
•  Treating IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices)
•  Mine clearance machines
•  Establishing experimental fields for munition and landmines testing
•  Explosion containment chambers
•  Demolition
•  Participation in development teams of manufacturing companies in the fields above.