Scalable Mine Deployment System for Non-Persistent Tactical Obstacles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current anti-vehicle minefield deployment systems are not compliant with modern landmine policies and international treaties due to their persistent nature, necessitating a system that can create non-persistent minefields for tactical purposes without residual risks.

Innovation Solution

A scalable mine deployment system comprising hand-emplaced deployment pods, munitions control units, and a remote control station that allows for the formation of non-persistent anti-vehicle minefields by storing and deploying anti-vehicle munitions in response to control signals, enabling adjustable density and area coverage, and interoperability with other munition systems like the M7 Spider Networked Munition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional persistent minefield systems are used, then effective anti-vehicle obstacle coverage is achieved, but compliance with international treaties and safety standards deteriorates due to residual risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompliance with international treatiesVSAvoidresidual risks from persistent mines
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static persistent mines to dynamic deployable pods that can be activated and deactivated. The pods contain mines in a stored state and only deploy them when tactically required, allowing the system to adapt between safe storage mode and operational deployment mode, thereby eliminating residual risks while maintaining treaty compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables recovery and reuse of deployment pods after mine deployment. The pods can be retrieved, reloaded with new mines, and redeployed, replacing the need for persistent fixed installations. This recoverable approach eliminates long-term residual risks while maintaining operational effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Adaptability or versatility

If hand-emplaced deployment pods are used, then flexibility and adaptability improve, but deployment time and labor requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in minefield configurationVSAvoiddeployment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the minefield into modular deployment pods that can be independently emplaced and configured. Each pod is a self-contained unit that can be hand-carried and positioned flexibly, allowing rapid assembly of minefields of various sizes and configurations without requiring complex coordinated deployment of entire systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If remote control capability is implemented, then safety and operational control improve, but system complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a remote control station as an intermediary between the operator and the deployment pods. This intermediary provides wireless communication and control capabilities, allowing operators to safely deploy and control mines from a distance while managing system complexity through a dedicated control interface that abstracts the underlying complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable density deployment is enabled, then tactical versatility improves, but control precision requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactical versatilityVSAvoidcontrol signal precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables different deployment densities in different areas by allowing selective activation of individual pods or canisters. The control system can specify precise deployment parameters for each pod, creating zones of varying mine density tailored to specific tactical requirements, with each pod independently controllable to achieve local optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10330450B1Scalable mine deployment system
Publication Date: 2019.06.25 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THE AS REPRESENTED BY THE SEC OF THE ARMY
  • US10330450B1 patent drawing
  • US10330450B1 patent drawing
  • US10330450B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A scalable mine deployment system establishes a close range tactical anti-vehicle obstacle. The scalable mine deployment system includes a deployment pod, a munitions control unit and a remote control station. The deployment pod deploys anti-vehicle munitions in response to a control signal received at the remdte control station and relayed via the munitions control unit. The deployment pods are arranged according to desired field properties and are configured to deploy one or more munitions at a selectable density.