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Canadian Forces Armour
— EROC Husky Route-Opening Vehicle |
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Update Dec 2011: Four of the six EROC Huskys are loaned to the Australian Army for use in
Afghanistan – not two as previously stated. This loan (along with two EROC Cougars) is an interim
arrangement to allow the ADF to buy its own vehicles through Project Ningaui.
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RSD's Husky – Pointing with the EROC Sniffer Dog
The Husky, made in South Africa by the Rolling Stock Division of DCD-Dorbyl, is the buried IED /
landmine detection component of the Expedient Route-Opening Capability. The Husky has two detection pans
(shown retracted, at left ) mounting X-ray and metal detectors. The
Husky is a large vehicle but ground pressure can be reduced by lowering tire inflation. Huskys can then
roll over most anti-vehicle mines without triggering a blast. The driver's cabin is armoured to withstand any
splinters from smaller mines and the 'V'-shaped hull deflects any larger blast effects.
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A Trail of Destruction – the Mine Detonation Trailer System
As the Husky travels its route, any detected threats are marked with ink for investigation and
neutralization by the EROC team. While the Husky is meant to travel unmolested over landmines, it tows a series of trailers specifically
designed to detonate any missed mines. Dubbed Duisendpoot/Millipede in South Africa, the Mine
Detonation Trailers exert enough ground pressure to trigger any pressure-plate operated mine/IED in their 3m
swath. Both vehicle and MDTs are designed to lose wheels and suspensions to blast. A spares trailer
carries parts for quick field repairs. [1]
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RSD (DCD-Dorbyl) Husky
Specifications
| Powerplant: |
5.7 litre 6-cyl Daimler Euro III turbo-diesel [2] |
| Trans.: |
Allison S2000-series five-speed automatic[2] |
Pressure:
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49.8 psi ground pressure (tire inflation 29 psi)
23.4 psi ground pressure (tire inflation 9 psi) |
| Equipment: |
detection pans, detonation & spares trailers |
| Crew: |
1 (driver only) |
| Range: |
200 km (125 mi) per day at operating speed |
| Performance: |
optimum operating speed: 35 km/h (22 mph) |
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The Husky itself is a large and simple 4x4. This vehicle has been compared with road graders but that
misses a key point – unlike graders, the Husky has no chassis. Instead, the armoured cab is suspended
between two lattice-work suspension mount frames. When a mine is triggered, the blast passes through this spindly
framework. If the IED is large enough, as was the case on 25 Oct 2007, [3] the entire frame complete with axle
assembly separates from the cab. Generally, the driver suffers no more than a strong headache and that suspension
assembly is quickly repaired and reattached on site so that the Husky can return to its vital work.
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[1] This is why the makers refer to Husky as a Towing Mine Detecting Vehicle (T/MDV). See Background on RSD Husky for an image of Husky vehicles towing
the Duisendpoot MDT system and the SWM Spare Wheel Module, the trailer-mounted spare parts and
repair kit. The Mine Detonation Trailers are ranked as First (F/MDT), Second (S/MDT), and Third (T/MDT) MDTs in
the order that they are towed.
[2] The drivetrain is part of an US upgrade named IVMMD MKII (which also replaces the lighter Meerkat
vehicle with a second Husky to simplify supply and training). The early South African-assembled Husky
components (mechanically-controlled Mercedes diesels built by Atlantis Diesel Engine and Astas
6-spd standard transmissions) are replaced by Daimler-built Mercedes diesels and an Allison automatic.
[3] On 25 Oct 2007, two Husky were scanning Route Foster, west of FOB Masum Ghar. At a narrowing
of this track, the second Husky hit a large, buried IED. As per design, the front suspension
parted company with the vehicle but the driver, Cpl Pierre Brule, was unharmed.
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