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RHINO Earth Tiller
Objective
Provide a capability to clear large areas of AP and AT mines.
Description
The RHINO Earth Tiller demining system is a remotely controlled
vehicle equipped with a device to crush both AP and AT mines as well as
other debris, while surviving a maximum AT blast with minimal repair.
The earth tiller consists of: (1) the RHINO vehicle equipped with
a grader blade, (2) a demining unit with automatic depth control, (3)
a dozer blade, (4) a remote control system, (5) a set of tools, (6) data
collection and transmission subsystem, and (7) protective shields for
the driver cabin and other sensitive components. The vehicle has a crawler
chassis and is powered by a commercial Caterpillar diesel engine. The
video monitored remote control unit allows operation from up to 1,000
meters from the vehicle. The earth tiller demining system is designed
to explode landmines as the tiller drum's tungsten carbide chisels strike
them on the ground, or to crush them between the upper and lower tiller
drums.
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Contractor/Developer
MAK Systems
Gesellschaft mbH
Falckensteiner Strabe 2
24159 Keil
(Postfach 9333, 24157 Keil)
Germany
ATTN: Horst
Schön/ Manfred Jöhnk
Phone: +49-431-3995-440/443
Fax:
+49-431-3995-430
Email: rdeise@pc.maksystemgmbh.de
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Performance
A successful prototype demonstration
of the RHINO System took place in December 1997. The RHINO
has been tested against mine surrogates representing PMN, PSM1,
OZM3, POMZ, and DM21 mines buried from 0 - 50 cm in depth, and in
areas of sandy soil mixed with stones, grassy areas, and locations
with small trees. No damage to the tiller unit occurred. The RHINO
was also tested against live AP (DM11) and AT (DM21 and TM62P) mines.
No damage occurred from the DM11 mine blast. Minor damage occurred
from both the DM21 and TM62P mine blasts. The RHINO's
ability to bring buried mines to the surface makes it very effective
at reducing suspected minefields. There are two additional modules
available: a forest unit for removal of vegetation and wood; and
a mixer unit for burying and mixing plants, bushes, brush, lime
or fertilizers into the soil. These units feature quick-connect/disconnect
installation.
Limitations
- May not be effective
against small AP mines such as the PFM1 (butterfly) mine.
- Total system weight
is 56 metric tons.
- Packed mud and dirt
may accumulate in the lower drum, reducing the effectiveness
of the chisels.
- After crushing mines,
the RHINO may leave potentially hazardous landmine
components in its wake, necessitating a follow up inspection
of the cleared path.
- The RHINO requires
a substantial logistics and maintenance infrastructure to
support successful demining operations.
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During the
demonstration with
buried mine
surrogates, the tiller
exhibits its capability
of crushing stones
and bringing buried
mines to the surface.
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After the explosion of
Stet AT mine, DM21,
minor damage to the
demining unit
occurred as shown
here.
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Status
One system is in operation in
Croatia; a second system was purchased by Korea. The German Government
loaned a third RHINO for use in Cambodia. The U.S. tested its system
in Jordan and may conduct a test in Israel in 2001. To discuss the possibility
of obtaining this item for field testing through the U.S. Humanitarian
Demining Program, contact the DoD point of contact
listed on page 65 of this catalog.
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| Specifications
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| General: |
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Maximum Clearing Depth: 50
cm |
| Size: |
410
cm W x 101.10 cm L x 315 cm H |
Speed of Tiller
Drum:
30-120 rpm |
| Total
Weight: |
56 metric tons
(Basic vehicle - 40
tons; demining unit - 16 tons)
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Hill
Climbing
Ability: max. 24°
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| Working Speed:
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0-1.3 km/h |
Vehicle Maximum Speed: 4.0
km/h |
| Working Width:
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340 cm |
Fuel
Consumption:
60-100 l/h
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Manufacturer’s Sggested Price:
$1,795,000 |
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Humanitarian Demining
Developmental Technologies 2000 - 2001 |