Improvised Electronic Devices
Introduction
This paper will focus on hardware and software systems that are used in The clearance of IEDs. The researcher will focus more in the hardware and software used in the clearance of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). This is because this is the area where the researcher understands. Most of the software and hardware that the researcher will focus on will be those that are used for clearing IEDs. The fight against IEDs has been an issue of concern for many bodies including the GAO and the Department of Defense. There are many deaths of the military which have been reported due to the IEDs they encounter. With this trend, there has been a concern to eradicate these fatalities with innovation and systems to counter these deaths. There are millions of dollars that have been spent in the fight against IEDs but little has been achieved. There are systems that have been developed to aid in this process.
This is software that is used to interfere with the signals of the enemy radar. It is produced at Syracuse Research of New York. It is used at individual and group level. It is used at individual level because it is installed on each of the vehicle that is used in the army. It is used at group level because it enables the people working together communicate and understand which IED has been jammed and whether the mission was successful. Soldiers have been equipped with vehicles which have been integrated with Duke V3 software. The system has been developed so that it is enhanced than earlier systems like Warlock which were active throughout until the operator would turn the system off. The Duke system will do both listening and learning from the environment. This way, it is possible to understand if the IED is still there or not. It understands when to stop listening. The system has automatic ignition system which will turn the Duke on of there is something that is abnormal that comes into scene. This is noted when there is a light that goes on in the system. One software issue is that there is a lot of interference with the internal radios that the solders use. The jamming will also interfere with the radio signals from the soldiers. Another challenge is interference that is out-of-band.
The device is also able to generate cleaner and linear waves for the system. There is also the future capability to include efficient tower amplifiers. With these capabilities, the system is found to be a reliable device that is used to sense any form of interruption.
Hardware – The Duke system is made of two boxes. The system sits on a rack inside the military vehicle. The system sits on three bands which are labeled band A, B, and C. this is the location where active and reactive systems. The aim of the military is to ensure that the jammers remain relevant as much as possible. This will ensure that the communication with the enemy is kept in check as long as the system is still working and kept in check.
The system is also used at the enterprise level. This is because there are provisions that enable the system to be installed in the enterprise software system, so that it is used for monitoring. IED clearance team is able to understand what is needed in the process. The planning team is able to monitor the frequencies from a central place and plan for the attack and the counter of the frequencies (Barbero, 2012).
Husky Mine Detection System
This equipment is operated by two people. It is used to aid in IEDs clearance and patrols. It is a defense system that is used to aid in clearing the minefield. It is integrated on vehicles which are used to undertake patrols in minefields which are suspicious of underground explosives. With the integration of these devices, the vehicles are able to explore the area that they are installed to check whether there are improvised explosive devices within the vicinity.
The equipment has two variations. There is the NIITEK Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and there is also the robotic arm. There is also the integration of R-VISOR robots which have been integrated with NITEK GPR and a metal detector that is used for detection.
Docking MD4
This is a hardware that is used to reduce the chances of a soldier stepping on an IED. This is a vehicle which looks like a miniature vehicle. This device is operated through the use of a remote by a soldier who is either walking on foot or by an armored vehicle behind the device. This way, the soldier will decrease the chances of stepping on an IED. This hardware is important because if there is an explosive, the device will detect this explosive first before the soldier reaches that spot. The life of the soldier shall have been saved with the use of this device. This is a robot which has several components.
Hardware – the equipment has flail, mine roller, and blade. The device is about three feet high and approximately seven feet long. These devices are four in the army and are used every time there is a battalion. The hardware is controlled by an individual and is therefore used at an individual level. With the use of this device, the individual who controls the equipment will get alerts about the safety of the environment (Ruchfield, 2011).
Minewolf vehicles for IED clearance
This is a vehicle that is used by military to detect Improvised Explosive Devices from the enemies. The vehicles are equipped with tools and systems which are used to clear explosives which might have been installed on the way. This way, the groups that are operating in a given area will have the assurance that they are operating in a safe environment. The good thing with this aspect is that the group is able to move without fear of the unknown in the other areas. The vehicles provide enhanced flexibility so that the sensors are able to sense the other areas of the vicinity.
Electronic data collection systems
With this system, the fight against IED will be simplified. This is because there is enough data to monitor the threat. There is development of tools that will be used to collect data for the purposes of combating the fight against IED. This system can be used at group and enterprise level. This is because there is collaboration with the use of these tools so that there is knowledge on how the data is used in the system.
References
Barbero, M. (2012). Counter-improvised explosive device: Strategic plan. JIEDDO
Ruchfield, P. (2011). Innovative tools advance fight against IEDs. Defence Systems. 1-4
