MINEHOUND VMR2 is an advanced dual-sensor mine detector comprising a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) developed by Cobham Technical Services (UK) and an induction Metal Detector (MD) based on the VMH3 manufactured by Vallon GmbH (FRG).
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MINEHOUND VMR2 in kneeling configuration |
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MINEHOUND VMR2 in prone configuration |
MINEHOUND VMR2 is designed to meet worldwide demining operational user requirements for ease of use, ruggedness and functionality. Both the MD and GPR provide audio outputs, which give the operator information on the size of the target; the GPR also provides information on the depth and symmetry of the target.
As the GPR will only respond to targets with a significant radar cross-section, and hence, physical dimensions, sources of false alarm to the metal detector, such as bullets, casings and fragmentation are rejected. This results in a significant reduction in the false alarm rate that deminers typically suffer from when using a metal detector alone.
During trials in live minefields across three continents, MINEHOUND VMR2 detected every mine, and offered a potential reduction in false alarm rate of up to 7:1. The overall concept of using MINEHOUND VMR2 to follow up the indications of the indigenous metal detector was highly effective and was the safest method of assessing the performance of a new detector. The trials enabled optimisation of the production design and clearly demonstrated that new technology can be brought to mine clearance operations in a safe and controlled manner.