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Background  —  ILDS Project  —  ILDS  Remote Detection Vehicle

RDV Scorpion  –  Remote Detection Vehicle Once the ILDS Protection Vehicle has finished clearing surface munitions and shallow-buried mines from the field, the little Remote Detection Vehicle takes over.  Unlike the armoured, track- driven PVs, RDVs rely on a featherweight foot- print  [1]  to avoid  mine-damage.  In operation, the RDV moves at a leisurely 3km/h over a path marked by the PV that is working 500m in front.

Of course, the point of  RDVs is to limit a combat engineer’s direct  exposure  to  mines. [2] The RDVs don’t eliminate the mines but they do reduce the guesswork involved  in mine- clearing.  The vehicle itself  is straightforward.  Its engine is mounted at the front,  flanked by electronics bays. Arms at the front and back carry metal detector arrays and a marking system, respectively. Immediately in front of the forward wheels is a ground-penetrating radar antenna (as wide the vehicle) and, above that, an infrared imager mounted on extensible arms.

Working ahead of the RDV, a PV will have detonated all surface mines and identified many of the hidden dangers. The function of the RDV is to confirm the locations of those mines. The RDV’s metal detectors are a more sensitive version of those used on the PV. Radar is used to find the buried non-metallic mines missed by the PV. Once the presence of non-metallic mines has been sensed,  their location is confirmed using a ‘Thermal Neutron Activation’ system which detects unnaturally high concentrations of nitrogen in the soil – an indicator of exposives in the ground nearby.  See: ILDS Background for more on sensor operations.

[1] Conceptually, the RDV’s large, low-pressure tires date back to ’70s.  In their conflict with ZANU,  white Rhodesians experimented with mine-detector vehicles using VW Beetle running gear and fitted with broad under-inflated racing car tires (gleaned from Formula 1 races in South Africa). The most successful variant, Pookie (which was anything but cute!) also inspired a range of blast-resistant patrol vehicles. [2] Although the ILDS (which are operated by 4 Engineering Support Regiment, CFB Gagetown) reduce the dangers of landmine clearing, this remains a labour-intensive activity.  ILDS is a huge advance but probes, metal detectors, mine suits, etc. will remain tools of the trade.