Chemring introduces new WASP IED disruptor
Chemring EOD has launched a new lightweight and rugged disruptor for the defeat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The system, called WASP, has been designed to reduce the soldier burden, particularly for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team members on dismounted patrol.
The WASP water-jet disruptor weighs less than 1kg when fully loaded and ready to use, and offers a 2kg weight saving compared to the current in-service Pigstick disruptor. WASP can also be easily carried and operated by a single person, making it ideally suited to both dismounted special forces and conventional EOD.
The system can be deployed using its own lightweight stand; or, using the supplied stand adaptor, can be mounted on conventional tripods or Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV). To increase operational flexibility, WASP has also been designed to work with a variety of cartridges. In addition to being compatible with existing Pigstick cartridges, WASP can be fired using the Chemring 12G cartridge; and this choice in initiation means existing or alternative stock can be used, mitigating potential supply issues.
WASP offers comparable performance to larger disruptors such as the Pigstick despite its lighter design. Since it uses the same water-jet technology that users are familiar with, adoption of WASP requires minimal training.
Mike Luedicke, general manager, Chemring EOD, said: ‘WASP has been specifically designed to meet the needs of EOD operators where the pace of operations requires a minimal weight burden, but still needs an effective and highly reliable IED disruption system. While WASP offers a significant size and weight advantage to users, it still maintains optimum disruptive effect for a wide range of IEDs.’
More from Land Warfare
-
Hero-120 loitering munitions to be made in US
Hero-120, a loitering munition system fitted with a 4.5kg warhead, has been designed to carry out strikes against mid-range targets. In June 2021, the US Marine Corps announced the Hero-120 had been selected for its Organic Precision Fire Mounted (OPF-M) programme.
-
Patria orders Kongsberg Protector’s for common APCs
Patria developed the Patria 6x6 APC, unveiled at the June 2018 Eurosatory exhibition, as a successor to the XA-series Pasi APC and was selected for the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme.
-
Germany orders more Patriot air defence systems
The US Army has acquired more than 1,100 launchers of which it has exported at least 200 launchers, while more than 10,000 Patriot missiles have been produced to date.
-
Rheinmetall receives EU funding to boost artillery production for Ukrainian war effort
Rheinmetall has contracts to produce hundreds-of-thousands of artillery shells for Ukraine and new funding from the EU will boost the company’s manufacturing capability.
-
General Dynamics to upgrade Ukraine-bound Spanish Leopards
The 120mm-armed Leopard 2 MBT was developed in the 1970s as a replacement for the German Army’s 105mm Leopard 1s. Spain's fleet of Leopard 2A4s were originally leased from Germany for five-years but eventually purchased in 2005.
-
AUKUS members seek solutions to integrate their ground capabilities
The three countries plan to explore technologies to strengthen their collaboration in various land-related areas including artificial intelligence, autonomy, cyber, EW, hypersonic, quantum computing and logistics.