Husky VMMD

The Husky VMMD (vehicle-mounted mine detection) family of vehicles are blast-survivable, mission-configurable wheeled platforms employed around the world by specialized route clearance teams operating in high-explosive threat areas. Defined by their unique design characteristics of survivability, frangibility, and reparability, Husky vehicles enable personnel and payloads to safely operate in close proximity to sub-surface explosive hazards.

Husky vehicle in Afghanistan

The Husky is manufactured in South Africa by DCD Protected Mobility and then integrated with clearance payloads, provided, and supported by U.S.-based C-IED company, Critical Solutions International.

Development

The Husky traces its lineage back to the Rhodesian mine detection vehicle, Pookie. 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 and used extensively by the South African Defence Force to clear military convoy routes of mines in Namibia and Angola during the South African Border War and it was during these first vehicle deployments that much of the early V-hull and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) technology evolved.

In the mid-90s, CSI partnered with DCD to bring the technology to the US and would later successfully navigate a two-year foreign comparative test (FCT) program with the US DoD as well as follow-on modifications and testing. In 1997, in an announcement given by US President Clinton, CSI was directed to produce and deliver production systems under the US Army Interim Vehicle Mounted Mine Detection (IVMMD) Program. CSI, in collaboration with its manufacturing partner DCD, delivered the Vehicle Mounted Mine Detection (VMMD) systems to the United States for incorporation with U.S. managed technologies.

Over the next twenty years, the Husky went through a number of iterations and upgrades to evolve into the modern Husky Mk III and Husky 2G currently offered by CSI. Today, U.S. clearance units employ Husky vehicles as their primary detection assets and lead clearance vehicles.

Modern production variants

Husky Mk III

The current Program of Record (M1231) for the U.S. Army. The Mk III is the 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 victim-operated, pressure-fused, anti-vehicle landmines without causing detonation. As with all Husky platforms, the Mk III has been engineered in a unique modular, frangible configuration. In the event of a mine or improvised explosive device detonation, vehicle components break apart in a predictable fashion, reducing damage to the platform and occupants, as well as facilitating fast in-field repairs using the system’s RedPack, a towable asset comprising front and rear modules as well as a battle damage repair tool kit.

Husky 2G

A two-occupant version of the Husky MK III vehicle. Development of the Husky 2G was prompted by the need to effectively conduct longer missions and employ multiple advanced detection systems. The Husky 2G was designed with the same protection, survivability, and mobility characteristics as the original Husky MK III, but integration of more sophisticated high sensitivity detectors, ground-penetrating radar, and video optics suites, and remote weapon stations created the need for a second operator to manage the additional workload.   

Production history

Variants
  • Husky Mk I
  • Husky Mk II
  • Husky Mk III
  • Husky 2G (2nd Generation) – 2 crew version

Design

The current iteration of the Husky is part of a class of MRAP vehicles developed from a South African blast protection design. The basic v-hull concept of modern MRAP vehicles, and the Husky, was an architectural innovation that fundamentally recast the nature of the vehicle’s resistance to explosive threats. As clearance techniques matured along with emerging technologies in order to respond to evolving threats, the unique tenants of the Husky design have endured.

Survivability: The sharp V-hull of the Husky dramatically 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.

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

Repairability: Critical components have been engineered to break apart in a predictable fashion, preventing catastrophic damage and enabling users to quickly replace modules on site. This approach increases the lifespan of the vehicle, maintains mission readiness, and limits the need for recovery teams to evacuate the vehicle to intermediate- or depot-level maintenance facilities.

The Husky VMMD Mk III and 2G are powered by a Mercedes Benz OM 906 LA 6.4L six-cylinder turbo diesel engine coupled with an Allison 2500 SP 5-speed automatic transmission. The operating weight of vehicle is 8,350kg, and the Husky can reach a maximum speed of 72km/h and has a range of 400km or 200km when equipped with mine-detonation trailer (MDT). The cabin of the Husky is fitted with bullet-proof glass windows and an entry hatch on the roof.

Payloads

The Husky’s versatility for application in dynamic clearance missions comes from both the vehicle design and the modularity provided by easy integration of tailored payloads.

Protection

The Husky can be equipped with protective payloads to help mitigate damage from enemy combatants.

Detection

The Husky is most commonly configured with payloads that enable operators to identify threats through visual scans and the focused application of optics and sensors.

  • Pulse Induction Metal Detectors
  • Ground-Penetrating Radar Ground-penetrating radar
  • Non-Linear Junction Detectors
  • Gunshot Detection

Interrogation

Husky vehicles are frequently integrated with attachments that enhance clearance units’ ability to confirm and classify a detected threat using remote, mechanical, or explosive means.

  • Interrogation arm
  • Blowers
  • Water Diggers
  • Thermal Cameras Thermal cameras
  • Optics Suite

Disruption

The Husky can be equipped with payloads to deliberately initiate or interrupt a suspected threat systems’ ability to function as intended by mechanical, electrical, or explosive means.

Mitigation

The Husky are often equipped with payloads designed to limit the severity of damage caused by undetected threats on friendly follow on elements through standoff subsystems and disruptive proofing

Operators

Husky 2G

Husky Mk III

Recognitions

U.S. Army’s Top Ten inventions of 2010[3]

gollark: A few hundred MW.
gollark: But the actual track is 1 way unsignalled. Very straight though.
gollark: I have power going about ⅓ of the way for our tactical radar grid.
gollark: The cool one.
gollark: Good news, we just won.

References
  • Stiff, Peter. Taming the Landmine.
  • Camp, Steve; Heitman, Helmoed-Römer. Surviving the Ride: A Pictorial History of South African-Manufactured Mine-Protected Vehicles.
  1. "Spain buys 6 Husky 2G for deployment in Afghanistan". 19 November 2012. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  2. "Engineers look for trouble on Kandahar roads". 27 September 2007.
  3. David McNally, RDECOM, "Army Announces Top 10 Greatest Inventions of 2010", Militaryspot.com, 12 September 2011

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