Tests of BULLDOG Demining System in Afghanistan Completed Successfully

MINE DOG MINE BULL

 Tokyo, March 10, 2005 – Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. today announced that it has confirmed that its humanitarian demining system BULLDOG is safe and effective after a series of tests in Afghanistan. The antipersonnel landmine remover consists of the MINE DOG, a six-channel detection vehicle with a landmine sensor; the MINE BULL, a clearance vehicle with digging drum to excavate and detonate landmines, and a machine to collect iron fragments; and remote control and operation devices. The system can efficiently detect and swiftly remove landmines planted in moderately flat residential areas, fields, roads and airport surroundings while ensuring the safety of the operators.

 In the tests, conducted in a minefield near Kabul International Airport, MINE DOG was able to detect objects buried 1.5 m below the surface and MINE BULL detonated 32 antipersonnel mines in 20 minutes in a 2 m x 50 m field using a remote control system.

 After a post-detonation inspection showed the demining vehicle suffered no damage, the United Nations, the Afghan government and local NGOs gave the system high ratings for its operability, blastproof design and safety. Kawasaki plans to use the data collected to speed up the system's development and will continue working on improvements this year to achieve early application in minefields.