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Background — Improved Landmine Detection System (ILDS) Project

ILDS on 8-wheeled Scorpion 1 vehicle Infrared imager on an early Scout vehicle Improving the Remotely-Operated Landmine Detection System
DND's research [1] into landmine detection began in earnest in the mid-'80s resulting in the 'Remotely-Operated Metallic Mine Detector System' in 1993 (as part of Project JINGOSS) and the 'Improved Landmine Detection System' (ILDS) in 1998. ILDS is a multi-sensor, tele-operated detection and mineclearing system comprised of three vehicle types – two are remotely-controlled detection and clearing vehicles, the third houses the operators and control consoles for each remote vehicle.

Combat engineer at a ILPS control station Remote control station for Remote Detection Vehicle The remote operator and consoles can be housed in any CF vehicle – armoured or 'soft skinned'. The operators are combat engineers who 8x8 Bison outfitted as ILDS Control Vehicle drive using video images from the remote vehicles. Once in position for mine clearing, another combat engineer monitors remote sensor data, and records all detonations of hidden mines and boobytraps.

ILDS Remote Detection Vehicle - RDV Scorpion 2 vehicle ILDS Protection Vehicle - PV M113A2 vehicle "Robot Wars" – Remotely-Operated Components of ILDS
While the control consoles can be accommodated in a range of CF 'platforms', the remotely-operated vehicles are distinct to their roles. The Protection Vehicle ( PV, right ) is an M113 APC equipped with a mine plough, infrared imager, magnetic metal detectors and a marking system. The Remote Detection Vehicle (RDV, left, which follows the PV) also has IR imaging and metal detectors but adds ground-penetrating radar and a confirmation system which uses thermal neutron analysis to detect the nitrogen content found in all landmine explosives.

[1] The development of remotely-operated landmine detection technology has centred around DRES (the Defence Research Establishment Suffield). The models developed at Suffield were made available to industry which worked alongside DRES in prototyping and developing Advanced Demonstrator Models. Both Ontario Drive & Gear and General Dynamics Calgary have developed different CF remote vehicles. The mine-seeking sensors for ILDS come from a number of sources. See The ILDS In Detail pages for details on sensors and suppliers. DND purchased 4 ILDS in December of 2002. Operational use was expected in April 2001 but deployment did not occur until summer 2004.