Leveraging new technology for a mine-free future

The devastating legacy of armed conflict – often marked by the indiscriminate use of landmines, improvised explosive devices and other explosive ordnance – poses a significant humanitarian challenge. Innovation in mine action With over 25 years of experience, UNOPS has Read More …

Wuhan lab samples hold no close relatives to virus behind COVID

After years of rumours that the virus that causes COVID-19 escaped from a laboratory in China, the virologist at the centre of the claims has presented data on dozens of new coronaviruses collected from bats in southern China. At a Read More …

An autonomous microbial sensor enables long-term detection of TNT explosive in natural soil

Engineered microbes can sense target chemicals and respond with programmed actions, using cell sensors to detect specific chemicals and genetic circuits to convert regulatory signals into observable outcomes1,2,3. Microbial sensors have the potential to carry out autonomous, long-term environmental monitoring Read More …

CBRN Dismounted Reconnaissance System Reaches FOC

The Joint Project Manager for CBRN Sensors team completed fielding of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal variant of our CBRN Dismounted Reconnaissance System (CBRN DRS) to the U.S. Army in October 2024. The CBRN DRS provides detection, decontamination, and protective equipment Read More …

India: Digital University Kerala researchers develop mine-detection technology

A team of researchers from the Digital University Kerala (DUK) have come up with a technology to detect buried explosives with minimum human involvement. The technology can be put to use even in the most rugged and forested areas, thereby, Read More …

U.S. DOD Developing CHAPPIE for CBRN Defense

The Department of Defense has introduced CHAPPIE, a quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicle, or QUGV, being developed for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear—a.k.a. CBRN—field operations. The U.S. Space Force said Tuesday CHAPPIE is one of two QUGVs at the Buckley Space Force Read More …

Laser vibration sensing technology can detect landmines faster than previous techniques

Enough landmines are buried underground worldwide to circle Earth twice at the equator, but the identification and removal of these explosives is costly and time-consuming. Vyacheslav Aranchuk, principal scientist in the National Center for Physical Acoustics, presented his research on Read More …

Kenya: Two university students innovate robot IED detector to help in war on terrorism

Two Technical University of Mombasa students have innovated a bomb detector robot that can be used in insecurity prone areas like Lamu. The innovation is such that the robot car, which can be remotely controlled, can be used as a Read More …

AI’s Role in Mine Action, A Glimpse Into the Future

Attending the recent Innovation Session: Artificial Intelligence for Mine Action in Geneva the previous week, hosted by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), was both humbling and inspiring. As experts from across the globe gathered to share insights, Read More …

Munitions Modernization: The Family of Drone Munitions

The Army Modernization Strategy outlines how the Service will become a multidomain force capable of operating across land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains by 2035. As part of the strategy to deliver a force capable of multidomain operations, the Read More …

UNDP identifies most promising innovative approaches to financing mine action in Ukraine

The issuance of thematic bonds linked to sustainable development and result-oriented public-private partnerships are the most promising innovative tools for financing mine action in Ukraine. This is stated in a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) based on Read More …

NATO Chief Scientist launches Grants Programme to foster global security innovation

NATO has officially launched its Chief Scientist Grants Programme, dedicated to fostering excellence in science and technology research. In total, 500,000 euros will support research projects focused on advancing science and contributing to global security. Researchers from NATO member countries Read More …

U.S. Navy EOD develops IED exploitation capabilities with NATO Allies and partners at Northern Challenge 2024

KEFLAVIK, Iceland – Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 8 operated alongside 17 NATO Ally and partner nations at Exercise Northern Challenge 2024, Sept. 26-Oct. 9, 2024. Northern Challenge demonstrates the United States’ commitment to NATO Allies and partners by Read More …

Landmine Detection Using Electromagnetic Time Reversal-Based Methods

In this paper, the researchers present a review and classification of the published works on the use of Electromagnetic Time Reversal (EMTR)-based methods to locate landmines. Different approaches for landmine localization using EMTR are investigated. Specifically, the classical time-domain EMTR, Read More …

How Ukraine turned mobile phone microphones into an air defence network

The proliferation of cheap, deadly uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) into conflicts around the world has presented a new challenge for military leaders. While modern air defences are designed to effectively target limited numbers of large, highly-capable fighter and bomber aircraft Read More …

DEVCOM CBC Innovates and Integrates through Autonomous Technologies

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) is paving the way and helping the Army transform into a multi-domain force through its modernization and priority research efforts that are linked to the National Defense Strategy Read More …

National Robot Rodeo ropes in emerging EOD technologies

Military and civilian explosive ordnance disposal experts tried out the latest Explosive Ordnance Disposal technologies and robotics in the 2024 National Robot Rodeo competition, Aug. 26-30. The week-long event, managed by the United States Bomb Technician Association, brought EOD bomb Read More …

Ukraine’s long-range drones using Western tech to hit Russia

Western technology and finance are helping Ukraine carry out hundreds of long-range strikes inside Russia. That is despite Nato allies still refusing to give Ukraine permission to use Western-supplied munitions to do so – mostly because of fears of escalation. Read More …

Israel: The ‘brain’ that uncovers Gaza’s tunnels, both in and off the field

Since Oct 7, IDF’s Technological Lab has been crucial in locating and guiding the destruction of Hamas’ tunnels in Gaza, marking a shift to direct field operations during Operation Iron Swords. The ‘brain’ responsible for locating Hamas tunnels in Gaza Read More …

University of Houston Researchers Unveil Groundbreaking Technique in X-Ray Imaging

Researchers at the University of Houston unveiled a groundbreaking advancement in X-ray imaging technology that could provide significant improvements in medical diagnostics, materials and industrial imaging, transportation security and other applications. In a paper featured on the cover of Optica, Read More …