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Once the program plan is approved, the design and development of prototype technology begins.
HD R&D identifies new technologies and uses several sources to meet requirements, including commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and countermine technologies. International market surveys can assist in identifying commercially available items for landmine detection, landmine and vegetation clearance, neutralization, and individual protection. Commercially available technologies are often modified to improve their speed, safety and efficiency, or to adapt their mission to demining.
If no existing equipment is suitable, the technology is developed through proposals or solicitations to the commercial sector, or the Prototyping and Fabrication Facility may design and build a prototype.
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Equipment assembly at the Prototyping and Fabrication Facility. |
