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Vehicle landmine protection validation testing JD REINECKE A , IM SNYMAN A , R AHMED A , FJ BEETGE B A CSIR Defence, Peace, Safety and Security, PO Box 395, Pretoria, 0001 Email: [email protected] – www.csir.co.za B Armscor, Acquisition, Landward Systems, Erasmusrand, Pretoria, South Africa Email: [email protected] INTRODUCTION Most military vehicle acquisition programmes require that any products offered must have their landmine protection level independently verified in accordance with an internationally-accepted test standard. Currently, two open test standards for vehicle landmine protection are being applied by South Africa The South African RSA-MIL-STD-37 Issue 3 NATO test standard AEP-55 Volume 2 Edition 1, which is based on STANAG 4569 threat requirements. South Africa was the first to issue an open test standard in 2000 and it has subsequently been updated three times. The NATO test standard was only issued in September 2006. TEST STANDARDS RSA-MIL-STD-37 Issue 3 wheeled landmine protection validation the threat to be tested against is specified as well as details concerning equipment, methodology, reparability, data processing and the report format specifies three levels of test platforms specifies one threat level. AEP-55 Volume 2 Edition 1 (based on STANAG 4569) wheeled and tracked landmine protection provides a framework (i.e. a minimal set of common requirements tests) specifies a representative vehicle specifies four threat levels. NATIONAL AUTHORITY TEAM The CSIR’s landward sciences area and Armscor are the South African National Test Authority with respect to vehicle validation testing. The CSIR is responsible for the execution of independent validation tests and as such is the custodian of the test standard as well as the equipment required to execute validation tests. Armscor is responsible for the verification of the test item and compliance to the test standard and test instruction. TEST METHODOLOGY The first step is the verification of the test item and its suitability for blast testing: the test item is physically inspected the supplier communicates the protection levels offered. The next step is the drafting and approval of the test instruction by the test team. Prior to the test all the surrogate charges are manufactured and checked. All the test equipment and facilities are prepared and the human response equipment is drop tested. For AEP-55 Volume 2 tests, soil pits are filled with new soil and compacted. For RSA-MIL-STD-37 tests, the Detonics, Ballistics and Explosives Labo- ratory (DBEL) soil is consistent and only a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) test is executed. On the day of the test the supplier must ensure that all documentation related to the test item is supplied along with an independently-verified mass certificate and Certificate of Conformance for the test item. For the test all the equipment is installed by the CSIR and is verified by Armscor in accordance with the test instruction and detailed check list. Once the test set up is approved, a booster test using approximately 200 g of explosive is executed. Should any critical measurement not be functioning, the test is delayed until it is resolved. After the booster test, the main test is executed with the specified surrogate charge. Once the test area is declared safe, only the test team is allowed forward and the required test data are downloaded and analysed on the range. The test team then proceeds with a full damage inspection of the test item. On completion of the damage assessment, the test item will be either removed or repaired by the supplier at the range. After the required repairs, the test item will be inspected and verified as safe to continue by the test team, if further tests are to be conducted. After all the tests, the test data are again reviewed and all critical parameters are compared to other data that have been measured to verify the results and ensure that there are no anomalies between measurement equipment used. The second last step is the compilation, review and finalisation of the test report. After the report is approved, the RSA-MIL-STD-37 officer in Armscor will request Armscor QA to issue validation test certificates for the test item if it passes. LOAD CRITERIA The most important (and the most controversial aspect of validation testing) are the specified load criteria. The final evaluation of all protection systems is simply the loads on the human occupant. Load criteria are obtained from injury criteria. Injury criteria are developed from various sources including post-mortem human surrogate (PMHS) testing. Most of the data used for landmine (and IED) protection standards are based on work executed in the motor industry. TEST MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION (TME) EQUIPMENT The pass/fail criteria are based on the human response inside the vehicle. Anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) are used to measure the human response. Currently, the Robert Denton 50th Percentile Hybrid III ATD is used as a test standard. Armscor developed a surrogate leg. This device, which weighs approximately 75 kg, enables all seats in a vehicle to be occupied. It provides additional information with respect to the loading of the crew compartment and structure. The CSIR has developed robust data acquisition systems that are placed inside the test vehicle and can survive most of the loads. Most NATO countries position their data acquisition units outside of the vehicle and can thus measure at higher sampling rates. IMPACT South African National Defence Force (SANDF) this research is directly applied to the development and testing of vehicle landmine protection technology for the SANDF this research will directly impact on the safety of deployed soldiers and enable mobility in hostile and dangerous environments this research is being applied to the SANDF acquisition projects. Local industry as a national authority, the CSIR is able to independently test local products, thus enabling the local suppliers to compete internationally in addition to validation testing, the CSIR also provides the facility for local industry to execute development tests. CSIR the creation and maintenance of this capability has required that a number of young scientists be appointed in the landward sciences area strong international involvement results in these young scientists being exposed to international review and mentoring, greatly accelerating their development as scientists the ongoing research and tests enable the area to continually improve and grow the research and test capabilities through acquisition of additional equipment and the development of the required techniques and methods the international involvement has led to the acceptance of the CSIR as a foremost research institute, executing relevant and applicable research. CPO-0074 Robert Denton 50th % Hybrid III ATDs as positioned during a test Surrogate legs and ATDs positioned in vehicle For troop mobility and safety in combat situations, protection against landmines in combat zones is key. CSIR researchers are measuring blast impact to determine better and safer mine resistant vehicles.

Vehicle landmine protection validation testing

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Vehicle landmine protection validation testing

JD REINECKEA, IM SNYMANA, R AHMEDA, FJ BEETGEB

A CSIR Defence, Peace, Safety and Security, PO Box 395, Pretoria, 0001Email: [email protected] – www.csir.co.za

B Armscor, Acquisition, Landward Systems, Erasmusrand, Pretoria, South AfricaEmail: [email protected]

IntRODuCtIOnMost military vehicle acquisition programmes require that any products offered must have their landmine protection level independently verified in accordance with an internationally-accepted test standard.Currently, two open test standards for vehicle landmine protection are being applied by South Africa

the South African RSA-MIL-StD-37 Issue 3nAtO test standard AEP-55 Volume 2 Edition 1, which is based on StAnAG 4569 threat requirements.

South Africa was the first to issue an open test standard in 2000 and it has subsequently been updated three times. the nAtO test standard was only issued in September 2006.

tESt StAnDARDSRSA-MIL-StD-37 Issue 3

wheeled landmine protection validation the threat to be tested against is specified as well as details concerning equipment, methodology, reparability, data processing and the report format specifies three levels of test platforms specifies one threat level.

AEP-55 Volume 2 Edition 1 (based on StAnAG 4569)wheeled and tracked landmine protection provides a framework (i.e. a minimal set of common requirements tests)specifies a representative vehicle specifies four threat levels.

nAtIOnAL AuthORIty tEAMThe CSIR’s landward sciences area and Armscor are the South African national test Authority with respect to vehicle validation testing.the CSIR is responsible for the execution of independent validation tests and as such is the custodian of the test standard as well as the equipment required to execute validation tests.Armscor is responsible for the verification of the test item and compliance to the test standard and test instruction.

tESt MEthODOLOGyThe first step is the verification of the test item and its suitability for blast testing:

the test item is physically inspectedthe supplier communicates the protection levels offered.

the next step is the drafting and approval of the test instruction by the test team.Prior to the test all the surrogate charges are manufactured and checked.All the test equipment and facilities are prepared and the human response equipment is drop tested. For AEP-55 Volume 2 tests, soil pits are filled with new soil and compacted. For RSA-MIL-StD-37 tests, the Detonics, Ballistics and Explosives Labo-ratory (DBEL) soil is consistent and only a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) test is executed.On the day of the test the supplier must ensure that all documentation related to the test item is supplied along with an independently-verified mass certificate and Certificate of Conformance for the test item.For the test all the equipment is installed by the CSIR and is verified by Armscor in accordance with the test instruction and detailed check list.Once the test set up is approved, a booster test using approximately 200 g of explosive is executed.Should any critical measurement not be functioning, the test is delayed until it is resolved.After the booster test, the main test is executed with the specified surrogate charge.Once the test area is declared safe, only the test team is allowed forward and the required test data are downloaded and analysed on the range.the test team then proceeds with a full damage inspection of the test item.On completion of the damage assessment, the test item will be either removed or repaired by the supplier at the range.After the required repairs, the test item will be inspected and verified as safe to continue by the test team, if further tests are to be conducted.After all the tests, the test data are again reviewed and all critical parameters are compared to other data that have been measured to verify the results and ensure that there are no anomalies between measurement equipment used.The second last step is the compilation, review and finalisation of the test report.After the report is approved, the RSA-MIL-STD-37 officer in Armscor will request Armscor QA to issue validation test certificates for the test item if it passes.

LOAD CRItERIAthe most important (and the most controversial aspect of validation testing) are the specified load criteria.The final evaluation of all protection systems is simply the loads on the human occupant.Load criteria are obtained from injury criteria.Injury criteria are developed from various sources including post-mortem human surrogate (PMhS) testing.Most of the data used for landmine (and IED) protection standards are based on work executed in the motor industry.

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tESt MEASuREMEnt AnD EVALuAtIOn (tME) EquIPMEntthe pass/fail criteria are based on the human response inside the vehicle.Anthropomorphic test devices (AtDs) are used to measure the human response.Currently, the Robert Denton 50th Percentile hybrid III AtD is used as a test standard.Armscor developed a surrogate leg. this device, which weighs approximately 75 kg, enables all seats in a vehicle to be occupied. It provides additional information with respect to the loading of the crew compartment and structure.the CSIR has developed robust data acquisition systems that are placed inside the test vehicle and can survive most of the loads. Most nAtO countries position their data acquisition units outside of the vehicle and can thus measure at higher sampling rates.

IMPACtSouth African National Defence Force (SANDF)

this research is directly applied to the development and testing of vehicle landmine protection technology for the SAnDFthis research will directly impact on the safety of deployed soldiers and enable mobility in hostile and dangerous environmentsthis research is being applied to the SAnDF acquisition projects.

Local industryas a national authority, the CSIR is able to independently test local products, thus enabling the local suppliers to compete internationallyin addition to validation testing, the CSIR also provides the facility for local industry to execute development tests.

CSIRthe creation and maintenance of this capability has required that a number of young scientists be appointed in the landward sciences area strong international involvement results in these young scientists being exposed to international review and mentoring, greatly accelerating their development as scientiststhe ongoing research and tests enable the area to continually improve and grow the research and test capabilities through acquisition of additional equipment and the development of the required techniques and methodsthe international involvement has led to the acceptance of the CSIR as a foremost research institute, executing relevant and applicable research.

••

••

••

CPO-0074

Robert Denton 50th % hybrid III AtDs as positioned during a test

Surrogate legs and AtDs positioned in vehicle

For troop mobility and safety in combat situations, protection

against landmines in combat zones is

key. CSIR researchers are measuring blast

impact to determine better and safer mine

resistant vehicles.