Design and Implementation of Intelligent EOD System Based on Six-Rotor UAV

Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) robots can replace humans that work in hazardous environments to ensure worker safety. Thus, they have been widely developed and deployed. However, existing EOD robots have some limitations in environmental adaptation, such as a single function, slow action speed, and limited vision. To overcome these shortcomings and solve the uncertain problem of bomb disposal on the firing range, we have developed an intelligent bomb disposal system that integrates autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigation, deep learning, and other technologies. For the hardware structure of the system, we design an actuator constructed by a winch device and a mechanical gripper to grasp the unexploded ordnance (UXO), which is equipped under the six-rotor UAV. The integrated dual-vision Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) pod is applied in the system to monitor and photograph the deployment site for dropping live munitions. For the software structure of the system, the ground station exploits the YOLOv5 algorithm to detect the grenade targets for real-time video and accurately locate the landing point of the grenade. The operator remotely controls the UAV to grasp, transfer, and destroy grenades. Experiments on explosives defusal are performed, and the results show that our system is feasible with high recognition accuracy and strong maneuverability. Compared with the traditional mode of explosives defusal, the system can provide decision-makers with accurate information on the location of the grenade and at the same time better mitigate the potential casualties in the explosive demolition process.

Real magnetic stripping method in unexploded ordnance detection and remediation – a case study from Rohožník military training range in SW Slovakia

In this contribution we present results from a case-study, which was performed in collaboration between geophysicists and explosive ordnance disposal technicians at the Rohožník military training range in SW Slovakia. The aim of this study was to locate a deep-penetrated unexploded Mk-82 aerial bomb using high-definition digital magnetometry. The location where this bomb had entered the ground was known but its final position needed to be determined so that a safe excavation and disposal could be conducted. However, the detection of this unexploded ordnance object was complicated by the presence of intense magnetic interference from a number of near surface ferrous items including non-explosive test bombs, fragmentation and other iron junk. These items contributed a localised, high amplitude of magnetic clutter masking any deeper source. Our strategy was to approach the problem in three stages. First, we used magnetic data to locate the near surface items. After the detection and before the excavation of the searched objects, two quantitative interpretation methods were used. These involved an optimised modelling of source bodies and the application of a 3D Euler deconvolution. Both methods yielded acceptable results, but the former was found to be more accurate. After the interpretation phase, many of the items were then safely excavated and removed individually. A second magnetic mapping was then performed and from this data which was now significantly less cluttered, we were able to identify but not quantify, two deep source items and to confirm that all remaining near surface items were significantly smaller in size than a Mk-82 bomb. As the remaining near surface sources were interpreted as being contained within the surface one metre of soil and being small they could be assured to be non-explosive, it was considered most practical to mechanically excavate and remove this soil and the remaining objects contained.

Military Exposures Predict Mental Health Symptoms in Explosives Personnel but Not Always as Expected

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to determine the unique and combined associations of various military stress exposures with positive and negative mental health symptoms in active duty service members. Materials and Methods We investigated 87 male U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians (age M ± SE, range 33.7 ± 0.6, 22-47 years). Those who endorsed a positive traumatic brain injury diagnosis were excluded to eliminate the confounding effects on mental health symptoms. Using a survey platform on a computer tablet, EOD technicians self-reported combat exposure, deployment frequency (total number of deployments), blast exposure (vehicle crash/blast or 50-m blast involvement), depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, perceived stress, and life satisfaction during an in-person laboratory session. Results When controlling for other military stressors, EOD technicians with previous involvement in a vehicle crash/blast endorsed worse mental health than their nonexposed counterparts. The interactions of vehicle crash/blast with deployment frequency and combat exposure had moderate effect sizes, and combat and deployment exposures demonstrated protective, rather than catalytic, effects on negative mental health scores. Conclusions Military stressors may adversely influence self-reported symptoms of negative mental health, but deployment experience and combat exposure may confer stress inoculation.

Women Managing Weapons: Perspectives for Increasing Women’s Participation in Weapons and Ammunition Management

This report explores women’s participation in the field of weapons and ammunition management, particularly their lived experiences in WAM technical roles, such as stockpile managers, armourers, ammunition and technical experts, explosive ordnance disposal specialist. The purpose is to unpack the challenges faced by these women and identify good practices for further inclusion of women in WAM. It also provides ideas for states, international organizations and disarmament stakeholders to improve gender diversity in implementation of arms control commitments, such as the UN PoA and its relevant instruments.

Women Managing Weapons: Perspectives for Increasing Women’s Participation in Weapons and Ammunition Management

UNIDIR’s new study Women Managing Weapons: Perspectives for Increasing Women’s Participation in Weapons and Ammunition Management seeks to fill this gap by exploring women’s participation in the field of weapons and ammunition management, particularly their lived experiences in WAM technical roles, such as stockpile managers, armourers, ammunition and technical experts, explosive ordnance disposal specialist. The purpose is to unpack the challenges faced by these women and identify good practices for further inclusion of women in WAM. It also provides ideas for states, international organizations and disarmament stakeholders to improve gender diversity in implementation of arms control commitments, such as the UN PoA and its relevant instruments.

Dynamic Analysis and Simulation of the Hydraulic Control System on the Remote-Controlled Explosive Ordnance Disposal Machine

The remote-controlled explosive ordnance disposal machine, an important device used in the military, has been developed in many countries. It has become more intelligent and multi-functional due to being integrated with many functional components. New generations have been equipped with a completely remote-controlled system and high-resolution cameras. In bomb disposal work, this integrated machine can be used to replace other single-operating machines which allow to reduce greatly consuming time and labor effort as well as safety for operators. There are significant distinctions in design among well-known manufacturers. One of important components of this machine is hydraulic system that drives operating equipment of the machine. This paper focuses on analyzing and simulating dynamic model of the hydraulic system during the bomb laying process. The main target of this study is to meet the requirements for controlling a remote-controlled explosive ordnance disposal machine with high specific power, low hysteresis, high precision control, which ensures precision operation and safety.

Characteristics of Homemade Explosive Materials and the Possibilities of their Identification

One of the greatest challenges for explosive ordnance disposal operators is the disarming process of an improvised explosive device. These dangerous devices are often made from homemade explosive. Committing a bomb attack in urban areas is a basic weapon of terrorists, which may claim civilians’ lives. The main aim of experts is to avoid any lethal attack and to stop terrorists who endanger our life. Identifying homemade explosives may also help during the fight against terrorism since information may be provided this way, which is essential for professionals who work in the areas of operations. Usage of high-tech equipment provides stable and reliable background in the field of explosives’ analysis.

Development and Evaluation of the Traction Characteristics of a Crawler EOD Robot

Today, terrestrial robots are used in a multitude of fields and for performing multiple missions. This paper introduces the novel development of a family of crawling terrestrial robots capable of changing very quickly depending on the missions they have to perform. The principle of novelty is the use of a load-bearing platform consisting of two independent propulsion systems. The operational platform, which handles the actual mission, is attached (plug and play) between the two crawler propulsion systems. The source of inspiration is the fact that there are a multitude of intervention robots in emergency situations, each independent of the other. In addition to these costs, there are also problems with the specialization of a very large number of staff. The present study focused on the realization of a simplified, modular model of the kinematics and dynamics of the crawler robot, so that it can be easily integrated, by adding or removing the calculation modules, into the software used. The designed model was integrated on a company controller, which allowed us to compare the results obtained by simulation with those obtained experimentally. We appreciate that the analyzed Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robot solution represents a premise for the development of a family of EOD robots that use the same carrier platform and to which a multitude of operational platforms should be attached, depending on the missions to be performed.