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| Minelab F3 Compact mine detector |
Dulles, VA – Chemring Sensors & Electronic Systems (CSES), part of the Chemring Group (“Chemring”), announces that it will support its partner, Minelab Electronics, in an AUD $6.7 million innovation collaboration agreement received from the Australian Department of Defence. The collaboration will deliver a production-ready prototype of a new counter improvised explosive device (IED) handheld detector for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Minelab has been working with Australia’s Department of Defence since 2014 to develop a prototype handheld detector that meets the need for a smaller, lighter device to improve the quality and speed of detecting high risk explosive devices. The handheld detector will combine CSES’ advanced ground penetrating radar (GPR) with Minelab’s new multiple frequency continuous wave metal detection technology.
Chemring Sensors & Electronics is the world leader in the design, development and production of counter-IED ground penetrating radar systems for detection of buried hazards. The ultra-wideband GPR system has been used in more than 400 route clearance systems, most notably by the US Army and Marine Corps. CSES’ GPR technology has been ruggedized and designed to be scalable, allowing for countries and organizations to adapt the technology to meet their mission requirements.
Juan A. Navarro, President of Chemring Sensors and Electronic Systems, said “We are happy and proud to be working with our longtime partner, Minelab, to support the Australian Defence Force. Our goal is to provide superior detection technology on which the ADF and all our allies can rely.”
Minelab previously received funding from the Australian Department of Defence’s Rapid Prototype Development and Evaluation (RPDE) program to integrate their metal detection capability with CSES’s ground penetrating radar into a lightweight and compact form. Shortly after, RPDE provided additional funding to develop an advanced prototype of the handheld detector.