EDA launches IED detection programme
The European Defence Agency (EDA) has launched a new research and technology programme aimed at improving member states’ IED detection capabilities.
The IED Detection (IEDDET) programme is being carried out under a three year €14 million project by member states Austria, Belgium, The Netherlands, Poland, along with Norway.
The programme aims to develop, improve and field-test IED detection capabilities in order to better protect troops and increase armed forces’ operational freedom of movement.
Three main projects will be undertaken. The first is the Vehicle Mounted Early Warning of Indirect Indicators of IEDs (VMEWI3), which will focus on the detection of indirect indicators with forward looking camera systems. A technology demonstrator will be based on remotely operated unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) platforms with multi-camera head. The UGV platform will be controlled from a manned vehicle. The aim is to detect indicators of IED presence even while moving with a speed of at least 20-30km/h.
A UGV stand-off multi-sensor platform for IED component detection (MUSICODE) will also be developed to improve stand-off capabilities for detection of IED components by using remotely operated multisensory platforms.
The third project will be the Confirmation, Identification and Airborne Early Warning of IEDs (CONFIDENT). This will focus on the airborne (via UAS) confirmation and the identification of relevant components of IEDs including electronic parts, explosives and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear payloads prior to the release of the agents; and provide complementary early warning capability.
In order to ensure the coherence and interoperability between the projects, an offline detection map will be produced and shared to best explore the full set of information available for future route clearance operations and the programme will be concluded by a joint demonstration.
Countering IEDs was confirmed as a top priority in the EDA Capability Development Plan revision of 2014.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Estonia takes delivery of six HIMARS]()
Estonia takes delivery of six HIMARS
Estonia has taken delivery of six Lockheed Martin High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) weapons. The delivery comes only a month after Australia received its first system and the company outlined plans to improve missiles fired from the system.
-
![Thales to modernise Netherlands TACTIS combined arms trainer]()
Thales to modernise Netherlands TACTIS combined arms trainer
Thales will modernise the Royal Netherlands Army’s TACTIS simulation system over eight years with enhanced synthetic environments, new simulators for the CV9035NL, Boxer and Leopard 2 tanks.
-
![Hanwha contracted to develop radar for South Korean missile defence]()
Hanwha contracted to develop radar for South Korean missile defence
Hanwha will develop the multi-function radar of the Low Altitude Missile Defense (LAMD), work which is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2028.
-
![Anduril Industries unveils improved electromagnetic warfare system]()
Anduril Industries unveils improved electromagnetic warfare system
Pulsar-L has already entered service and weighs about 12kg with range of 5km. It was only in May last year that the company disclosed that earlier versions were already in service.
-
![Romania approved for additional $280 million Patriot Air Defence System buy]()
Romania approved for additional $280 million Patriot Air Defence System buy
The possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) from the US will cover the system and any related equipment with Lockheed Martin and RTX as primary contractors.
-
![Polaris to unveil new MRZR Alpha base vehicle at Modern Day Marine]()
Polaris to unveil new MRZR Alpha base vehicle at Modern Day Marine
The new platform was designed to provide 1KW of exportable power as standard and has been developed in partnership with the US Marine Corps (USMC).
