Husky VMMD

Last updated
Husky VMMD
USMC-090120-M-8478B-004.jpg
Type MRAP
Place of origin South Africa
Service history
In service1970s–present
Production history
Manufacturer DCD Group
Critical Solutions International
Produced1970s–present
Specifications
Mass18,408 to 19,841 lb (8,350 to 9,000 kg) curb weight, 20,282 to 25,022 lb (9,200 to 11,350 kg) gross weight
Length24 ft (7.34 m)
Height10 ft (3.14 m)
Crew1
2 (G2 variant)

Engine Mercedes-Benz OM906LA 6.4L turbo diesel
Transmission5-speed automatic
Maximum speed 45 mph (72 km/h) top speed

The Husky VMMD (Vehicle-Mounted Mine Detection) is a configurable counter-IED MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle, developed by South African-based DCD Protected Mobility and American C-IED company Critical Solutions International. Designed for use in route clearance and demining operations, the Husky is equipped with technologies to detect explosive devices and survive blast damage. [1] [2]

Contents

The Husky VMMD detects and identifies land mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) using sensors and imaging systems. The Husky is equipped withcountermeasures like jamming systems and smoke generators that can be used to neutralize or disrupt IEDs. [1] The Husky VMMD's armor can withstand the effects of land mines and IEDs, while its suspension system enables it to navigate rough terrain while maintaining crew safety.

Development

The Husky traces its lineage to the Pookie, a Rhodesian mine clearance vehicle.

Originally used as the lead element of a mine removal convoy, the Husky was employed as part of the Chubby mine detection system. The early Chubby system comprised a lead detection vehicle (the Meerkat), a second proofing vehicle (the Husky) towing a mine detonation trailer, and a third vehicle carrying spare parts for expedient blast repair.

The Husky was initially deployed in the 1970s. During the South African Border War, the South African Defense Force used the Husky extensively to clear mines from military convoy routes in Namibia and Angola.

In the mid-1990s, DCD Group and Critical Solutions International planned to bring the technology to the U.S. and underwent a two-year foreign comparative test program with the United States Department of Defense and follow-on modifications and testing. In 1997, CSI was directed to produce and deliver production systems under the U.S. Army Interim Vehicle Mounted Mine Detection Program.

Over the next twenty years, the Husky underwent several iterations and upgrades. U.S. military clearance units currently train on and employ Husky vehicles as detection assets and clearance vehicles. [3]

Design

The Husky is part of a class of MRAP vehicles developed from South African blast protection designs. [1]

The sharp V-hull of the Husky reduces blast effect by increasing ground clearance and standoff from the blast, increasing structural hull rigidity, and diverting blast energy and fragmentation away from the platform and its occupants. [1]

The Husky is designed to break apart in a blast event, allowing energy to transfer to the detachable front and rear modules rather than the critical components of the vehicle or the occupants located in the cab. Its three main components (a center cab with front and rear wheel modules) are connected by shear pins.

Critical components are engineered to break apart predictably, preventing catastrophic damage and enabling users to quickly replace modules on site. This approach increases the lifespan of the vehicle and limits the need for recovery teams to evacuate the vehicle to maintenance facilities.

The cabin of the Husky is fitted with bulletproof glass windows. There is an entry hatch on the roof. [1]

The Husky Mk III and 2G are powered by a Mercedes-Benz OM906LA turbo diesel engine coupled with an Allison Transmission 2500 SP 5-speed automatic transmission. It can reach a maximum speed of 72 km/h and has a range of 350 km. [4] [1]

Variants

Husky Mk I

First Husky production model. Replaced by Husky Mk II.

Husky Mk II

Second Husky model. Replaced by Husky Mk III.

Husky Mk III

Modern single-occupant Husky model. The platform is integrated with pulse induction metal detector panels and overpass tires that enable operators to regulate tire air pressure in order to reduce the risk of initiating land mines without causing detonation. The Mk III, like other Husky models, is engineered in a modular, frangible configuration.

Husky 2G

Project Type

- Mine clearance vehicle

Manufacturer

- DCD Protected Mobility

Crew

- Two

Operating Weight

- 9,200kg

Husky 2G is a two-seat variant of Husky MK III vehicle mounted mine detector (VMMD) designed and manufactured by South African firm DCD Protected Mobility (DCD PM). Equipped with a number of sensors, the vehicle is ideally suited for mine-clearing operations including detection, identification and destruction of improvised explosive devices (IED), landmines and other explosive materials.

Development of the Husky 2G was prompted by the need to conduct longer missions and employ multiple detection systems. The Husky 2G was designed with added high sensitivity detectors, ground-penetrating radar, video optics suites, and remote weapon stations. These additional components required a second operator to manage the additional workload, hence the required two occupants.

Equipment

The Husky is capable of carrying the following equipment and payloads:

Operators

Husky Mk III

Husky 2G

Recognitions

The Husky was listed on the U.S. Army’s Top Ten inventions of 2010. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Land mine</span> Explosive weapon, concealed under or on the ground

A land mine, or landmine, is an explosive weapon concealed under or camouflaged on the ground, and designed to destroy or disable enemy targets, ranging from combatants to vehicles and tanks, as they pass over or near it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Casspir</span> Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle

The Casspir is a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle that has been in use in South Africa since the 1980s. It is a four-wheeled, four-wheel drive vehicle, used for transport of troops. It can hold a crew of two, plus 12 additional soldiers and associated equipment. The Casspir was unique in design when launched, providing for passive mine defence. The main armoured steel body of the vehicle is raised high above the ground, so when a mine is detonated, the explosion is less likely to damage the crew compartment and kill the occupants. The cross-section of the hull is V-shaped (V-hull), directing the force of the explosion outwards, further protecting the occupants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RG-31 Nyala</span> Infantry mobility vehicle

The RG-31 Nyala is a 4×4 multi-purpose mine-resistant ambush protected infantry mobility vehicle manufactured in South Africa by Land Systems OMC and in Turkey by FNSS Defence Systems. It is based on the Mamba APC of TFM Industries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anti-tank mine</span> Type of land mine designed to destroy tanks

In anti-tank warfare, an anti-tank mine is a type of land mine designed to damage or destroy vehicles including tanks and armored fighting vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demining</span> Process of removing land mines

Demining or mine clearance is the process of removing land mines from an area. In military operations, the object is to rapidly clear a path through a minefield, and this is often done with devices such as mine plows and blast waves. By contrast, the goal of humanitarian demining is to remove all of the landmines to a given depth and make the land safe for human use. Specially trained dogs are also used to narrow down the search and verify that an area is cleared. Mechanical devices such as flails and excavators are sometimes used to clear mines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffalo (mine protected vehicle)</span> Light tactical military vehicle

The Buffalo is a wheeled mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) armored military vehicle built by Force Protection, Inc., a division of General Dynamics. It is the largest vehicle in Force Protection's line-up, followed by the Cougar MRAP and the Ocelot light protected patrol vehicle (LPPV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cougar (MRAP)</span> Mine-resistant infantry mobility vehicle, 2002

The Cougar is a mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) and infantry mobility vehicle structured to be resistant to landmines and improvised munitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infantry mobility vehicle</span> Wheeled armored personnel carrier

An infantry mobility vehicle (IMV) is a wheeled armored personnel carrier (APC) serving as a military patrol, reconnaissance or security vehicle. Examples include the ATF Dingo, Iveco LMV, Oshkosh M-ATV, AMZ Dzik, AMZ Tur, Mungo ESK, and Bushmaster IMV. This term also applies to those vehicles fielded as part of the MRAP program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MRAP</span> Armoured vehicle designed to survive IED explosion

Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected is a term for United States military light tactical vehicles produced as part of the MRAP program that are designed specifically to withstand improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and ambushes. The United States Department of Defense MRAP program began in 2007 as a response to the increased threat of IEDs during the Iraq War. From 2007 until 2012, the MRAP program deployed more than 12,000 vehicles in the Iraq War and War in Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medium Mine Protected Vehicle</span> US mine resistant vehicle

The Medium Mine Protected Vehicle (MMPV) is a class of armored vehicles being procured by the US Army, similar to the MRAP program, which is being pursued by the US Army and the US Marine Corps. The Army's MMPV executive summary states: "The Medium Mine Protected Vehicle (MMPV) is a blast protected, wheeled vehicle platform that will operate in explosive hazardous environments to support emerging Future Engineer Force (FEF) Clearance Companies in route and area clearance operations, Explosive Hazards Teams in explosive hazards reconnaissance operations, and EOD companies in Explosive Ordnance Disposal operations." According to a US Army spokesperson: "What separates these programs are different schedules and sustainment requirements, resulting in different acquisition strategies and source selection criteria priorities. The MMPV... and MRAP have been in close coordination, especially from a hardware perspective."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">V-hull</span> Vehicle armor design

The V-hull is a type of vehicle armor design used on wheeled armored personnel carriers (APCs), infantry mobility vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and MRAPs. The design originated in the 1970s with vehicles such as the iconic Casspir used extensively during the South African Border War, Leopard security vehicle used in the Rhodesian Bush War and South African armored vehicle company Land Systems OMCs and Buffels.

The Meerkat is the lead vehicle in the Interim Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector VMMD system, which evolved from a system known as Chubby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ocelot (vehicle)</span> British armoured vehicle

The Force Protection Ocelot is a British armoured vehicle that replaced the United Kingdom's Snatch Land Rover with British forces. It received the service name Foxhound, in line with the canine names given to other wheeled armored vehicles in current British use such as Mastiff, Wolfhound, and Ridgeback, which are all variants of the Cougar.

DCD Group Ltd. is a South African manufacturer and engineering company focusing on the rail, mining, energy, defence, and marine sectors. It is based in Vereeniging, South Africa.

The Mahindra Mine Protected Vehicle-I (MPV-I), is an Indian MRAP-type armored personnel carrier manufactured by Defense Land Systems, a joint-venture of Mahindra & Mahindra Limited and BAE Systems, the first vehicle made under the venture. It is an improved Casspir variant built under licence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iraqi Light Armored Vehicle</span> Weapon

Iraqi Light Armored Vehicle or International Light Armored Vehicle is an armored fighting vehicle based on the Cougar and manufactured by Force Protection Industries, BAE Systems and General Dynamics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Counter-IED equipment</span>

Counter-IED equipment are created primarily for military and law enforcement. They are used for standoff detection of explosives and explosive precursor components and defeating the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) devices themselves as part of a broader counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, or law enforcement effort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Route clearance (IEDs)</span>

Route clearance is a routine part of counter-IED efforts performed by military forces around the world. The purpose of route clearance is to secure an important route and render it for safe transport. This mission relies on the use of Sapper and EOD forces to accomplish this task. Although mines have been used in warfare for years, the rise of IEDs in current conflicts has led to the development of the current route clearance doctrine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ordnance Factory Board Mine Protected Vehicle</span> Light tactical military vehicle

The Ordnance Factory Board Mine Protected Vehicle is a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected-type vehicle used by the Indian Army and the Central Reserve Police Force as an armored personnel carrier to transport personnel with protections from explosives and small arms fire. The MPV’s construction was based on the Casspir Mk II, which India used in the 1990s.

The VP22 is a family of armored, MRAP transport and patrol all-terrain vehicles, manufactured by China North Industries Corporation (Norinco). It is the 6x6 derivation of the BeiBen Truck Kaijia 8x8 MRAP vehicle. The intended role for VP22 is to operate in high threat areas that requires mine protection capability. It can transport troops and cargo in the armored cabin. The VP22 has a modular design. Several mission modules can be fitted onto the chassis, including troop transport, command post, and armored ambulance.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Husky Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector".
  2. Siemandel, Joseph (25 May 2021). "National Guard Engineers train on Husky Mine Detection Vehicle". www.army.mil. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  3. "National Guard Engineers train on Husky Mine Detection Vehicle". www.army.mil. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  4. "Husky 2G Mine Detection Vehicle - Army Technology". www.army-technology.com. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  5. "Engineers look for trouble on Kandahar roads". Toronto Star . 27 September 2007.
  6. "Spain buys 6 Husky 2G for deployment in Afghanistan". 19 November 2012. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  7. David McNally, RDECOM, "Army Announces Top 10 Greatest Inventions of 2010", Militaryspot.com, 12 September 2011