Objective
To safely clear light to medium vegetation and some tripwire fuzed mines, as well as assist in area reduction as a precursor to manual clearance.

Description
The Tempest is a radio-controlled ground based system designed to clear vegetation and neutralize some tripwire initiated AP mines from off-road areas inaccessible to large area mine clearers. The Tempest system consists of a diesel powered hydraulically driven chassis, a radio control subsystem, and a 1.2 meter wide horizontal chain flail with vegetation cutting tips. The "V" shaped chassis and sacrificial wheels overcome AP landmine threats and provide some protection against AT mines. To encourage local sustainability, the Tempest can be manufactured in mine affected countries and is easily maintained and repaired by indigenous users. Machines are currently manufactured in Cambodia as well as the United Kingdom.

The Tempest system has demonstrated the capability of clearing up to 1000 m²/hour of light vegetation (75 cm high grass, occasional small bushes) and up to 630 m²/hour of medium vegetation (100 cm high grass, 2 m high bushes at a density of 2/m²), and up to 450 m²/hour of moderate to heavy vegetation (100 cm high grass, 2-3 m high bushes at a density of 3/m², and occasional 4-5 m tall trees), and can cut 20 cm diameter, 5 m tall conifers to 2 m above ground and mulch foliage in less than 4 minutes.

The survivability of the system was tested by exposing the flail and chassis to live mine blasts. Live mines of 0.25 kg (8.5 oz.) were detonated under the flail, skids, and wheels. Damage consisted of broken skids and bent cleats on the wheels. The blasts did not affect the operational capability of the system and repairs took only minutes to perform. Large bounding fragmentation landmines of 0.521 kg (18.4 oz.) were detonated in front of the flail and under the wheel. The vehicle could be driven out of the minefield, and repairs of approximately 2 hours duration were required before operations could resume.

Demonstration of 
Tempest vegetation
clearance capability at
Fort A. P. Hill, VA.

• Not intended to be used in areas where AT mines are present.
• The steel wheels provide limited traction in muddy conditions, but increase system survivability.
• Requires line of sight operation.

Status