Now in different countries in service are several samples of reactive mine clearance systems with different characteristics. Attempts are being made to improve such tools, but not all new projects are justified. For example, over the past decades, the American industry has been engaged in the project of the ESMC / ESMB Mongoose reactive mine clearance system, but did not get the desired results. The characteristics of the resulting sample turned out to be far from desired, and its effectiveness did not ensure the proper security of the troops.
The development of a new model of engineering equipment designed for making passages in minefields was launched in August 1994. After analyzing recent conflicts, the Pentagon came to the conclusion that it was necessary to create a new demining system capable of making a large passage in a minimum time. In accordance with the terms of reference, it was required to create a towed system with a launcher and a new type of mine clearance. It had to make passages with a width of at least 4-5 m, leaving no more than 10-12 percent. untreated min.
The diagram of a trailer with a Mongoose container. Figure Fas.org
By that time, mine clearance systems based on towing missiles and elongated charges had become widespread. Calculations have shown that the reactive principle of setting a charge on a minefield is suitable for use in a new project. At the same time, it was necessary to abandon the traditional extended charge in favor of a more complex, but, as it seemed then, a more efficient system.
The development of a new sample was entrusted to BAE Systems. The mine clearance system was named Mongoose ("Mongoose") and two designations at once. Some documents refer to it as ESMC (Explosive Standoff Minefield Clearer), while others use the designation ESMB (Explosive Standoff Minefield Breacher). Moreover, both designations are equivalent. Due to the undefined status, the ESMC / ESMB system still does not have an official military designation.
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The main element of the Mongoose is a transport and launch container used to store and deploy a special ammunition system called ENS. The container is of medium size, corresponding to the capabilities of the supplying vehicles. With the help of a trailer, the container can be transported by various tractors.
For transporting the mine clearance system over long distances, it is proposed to use trucks of the 5-ton class. On the battlefield, a trailer with an ESMB / ESMC should go behind a tank or other protected vehicle. On the highway, towing speed is limited to 40-45 km / h; on rough terrain, it is recommended to maintain half the speed and avoid sudden maneuvers.
Launches the grid in the artist's view. Figure Saper.isnet.ru
The container is a rectangular box made of armored steel that can withstand bullets and shrapnel. The front wall of the drawer swings forward and downward, allowing all ENS components to escape. There is a tubular guide for the towing rocket under the roof of the container, the remaining volume is dedicated to the ENS product. After use, the Mongoose container should be returned to the rear for reloading, after which it can ensure that a new passage is cleared.
The container is installed on a support with drives that provide vertical guidance. Also, the product is equipped with a set of sensors that track the position of the trailer and container. Based on this data, the automation calculates the data for shooting.
The system is controlled by the operator panel. It is located on a towing vehicle and is connected to the container with a cable. The remote control provides processing of data from sensors and control of vertical guidance of a container with a guide. After installing the container at the desired angle, the console launches demining equipment. He is also responsible for undermining the ENS product. Depending on the need, the blasting can be performed immediately or at an arbitrary point in time.
The destruction of enemy mines is carried out using the ENS - Explosive Neutralization System ("Explosive neutralization system"). It is a nylon tape net. The length of the net is 82 m, the width is 5 m. The mesh cell has dimensions of 170 x 170 mm. At the intersection of individual belts, light shaped charges weighing about 100 g are placed. On one ENS grid there are 16354 such devices. Undermining is controlled using an electrical signal. The total weight of one ENS product is 2346 kg.
A shaped charge from the ENS composition, when detonated, forms a jet that penetrates the ground. The cumulative jet reaches a depth of 120 mm and is capable of striking objects in the ground. It is on this that the principle of operation of ENS and the entire Mongoose system is based.
"Mongoose" on trials. Photo Globalsecurity.org
The ENS network is retrieved from the transport and launch container using an unguided solid-propellant towing rocket weighing 270 kg. Before launch, it is located on the guide inside the container. The rocket through the lock is connected to the network using a cable. It also provides for the use of a brake cable connecting the network and the launch container.
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To make a passage in a minefield, the tractor must bring the trailer with the ESMC / ESMB container to a predetermined position, after which the operator prepares to launch the grid with charges. At the command of the operator, the rocket leaves the container and pulls the net behind it. At a distance of about 150 m from the starting position, the brake cable forces the rocket to unhook the net, after which it lies on the field. All charges are detonated automatically or at the command of the operator.
16354 cumulative jets, forming at a distance of no more than 150-170 mm from each other, are capable of literally digging up the ground and hitting objects in it in an area comparable to the size of the ENS grid. It was argued that this method of demining has significant advantages over the traditional extended charge and other means of clearing minefields.
The developers assumed that the cumulative jet is capable of destroying a mine lying in the ground or, if it hits its charge, cause detonation. Thanks to this, the ENS system could deal with mines of different types and for any purpose. Also, guaranteed destruction of explosive devices with a diameter of more than 170-200 mm was ensured: regardless of its position, such a mine would fall under one or two shaped charges.
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The development of ESMC / ESMB Mongoose was completed only in 1999. After that, the project moved to the stage of construction and testing of prototypes. The first stage of field tests was carried out by 2000-2001, and after it a decision was made to refine the existing system. In 2002, new inspections took place, as a result of which "Mongoose" was included in the field manual FM 20-32, which describes the means and methods of combating mine-explosive obstacles. The adoption of the system for service was planned for 2004-2005.
ENS mesh in flight. Photo Globalsecurity.org
After the first stages of testing and refinement, the Mongoose mine clearance system and the ENS network were accepted into trial operation, which began in the middle of the last decade. The US Army received a small number of new systems intended for the engineering companies of the heavy engineering battalions. Each company was to operate six Mongoose installations - two in each platoon from its composition.
According to reports, the ESMC / ESMB reactive demining system has not yet been adopted for service and retains the status of a promising model undergoing military tests. Apparently, "Mongoose" will never be adopted and put into production. The available samples will use up their resource and will be written off as unnecessary in the foreseeable future. Replacement of other demining systems is out of the question.
The reasons for this result are well known. Even at the stage of the first tests, problems arose that, in all likelihood, could not be solved with the further development of the project. ESMC / ESMB has two inherent disadvantages directly related to the ENS network design. Without eliminating them, obtaining the desired characteristics is simply impossible.
The first problem is that it is extremely difficult to properly lay the soft net with charges. If this product does not unfold correctly in flight and does not lie flat on the surface of the ground, the dimensions of the cleared area will be less than necessary. In addition, creases and unnecessary bends of the mesh are not excluded, which interfere with the correct stacking of cumulative ammunition.
The principle of destruction of min. Figure Saper.isnet.ru
During the tests, it was found that a cumulative jet, even with a direct hit, cannot always destroy or disable a mine in the ground. With a direct hit of the jet into the fuse, the mine was rendered harmless. The defeat of the detonator provoked an explosion; the same thing happened with a minimum distance between the mine and the charge of the grid. The latter worked as a consignment note, destroying the mine with a shock wave and provoking its charge undermining. The defeat of the hull and the main charge of the mine with a cumulative jet did not always lead to detonation.
According to available data, after using one ENS network, about 10-15 percent remained on the test minefield. explosive devices in an operational state. This did not meet the requirements of the military, and therefore the project was repeatedly refined in order to increase efficiency. As it is now clear, BAE Systems, even after a long process of fine-tuning, was unable to fully resolve all issues and get rid of the identified shortcomings.
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The development of a promising reactive mine clearance system ESMC / ESMB Mongoose started almost a quarter of a century ago. The trial operation of this system has been going on for 15 years. With all this, "Mongoose" has long had no chances to officially enter service and ensure the rearmament of all engineering units of the American army. In fact, all the problems of this system appeared at the beginning of the last decade, and then there were reasons for negative forecasts.
The situation has not changed over the years, and Mongoose has retained all its flaws. This system will not be able to go out of trial operation, and in the future, the manufactured samples will only be decommissioned and disposed of. The new original method of demining turned out to be too complicated for normal implementation and closed the way to the troops for an interesting sample of engineering equipment.
