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Mine Clearance System

AARDVARK ACTIVTY REPORT FOR THE SECOND HALF OF 2006

Aardvark Clear Mine Limited has recently been awarded a new contract by the Libyan Ministry of Defence for a number of Mk IV flail units, Support and Training Services and Quality Assurance equipment. The new units will be added to the six Mk IV flails and support equipment already in the inventory of the Libyan Corps of Engineers.

In the process of preparing proposals for our customers we have developed total support packages which cover all the needs for stand alone mine clearing operations or provide for integration into existing capabilities. Included among these capabilities are Quality Assurance equipment, mobile workshops, mobile accommodation, canteen and toilet facilities; medical treatment and evacuation, mobile administrative and recreational facilities and mobile generating plant to support the field operation.

A major order for spare parts was received from DFID, destined to maintain the Aardvark flail units operated by the Engineer Corps of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

A steady stream of spares has been supplied to the hard worked Aardvark flail units operated by the US Army in Afghanistan. Aardvark logistic and training support has been highly commended by the US Army.

We have been invited to send our Mark IV for trials with potential users, this opportunity will be followed up in 2007.

A new Mk IV has been bought together with a quantity of spares for use by the US Department of Army to participate in an approved US Department of Defense Foreign Comparative Test Program for an Area Mine Clearance System in Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007. Another design of flail machine has been purchased for this comparative test program. STATUS OF THE FOREIGN COMPARATIVE TEST PROGRAM

Both equipments were shipped with spares and support personnel to a US Army proving ground in September 2006. Tests conducted so far have included depth and speed of flailing, machine reliability, static stability, neutralization ability (dummy mines) and general performance to evaluate Reliability, Accessibility and Maintainability . The tests will continue into the spring of 2007 and the machine selected as the best suited to meet the requirements of the US Army Corps of Engineers will be purchased in quantities sufficient to outfit the Corps' demining operating units.

The Aardvark has performed very well and continues to demonstrate its ability to effectively flail under all conditions set in the test program.

Speed of flailing at a specified depth:Aardvark is capable of flailing to a depth of 50 cms. On an observed run of 100 m long by 3 m wide, Aardvark flailed to a depth of 20 cms at a speed of 350 m/hr, effectively neutralizing all ten simulated mines which were fitted with smoke fuses. Five of the ten mines were placed at the edges of the lane, while the other five were randomly placed within the lane. Subsequently Aardvark demonstrated flailing capability at a depth of 40 cms at a speed of 200 m/hr.

Post flailing surface condition:The Aardvark flailing process leaves a smooth pattern of displaced soil from the flailed ground, in very straight lines, thereby assuring complete coverage of the area being flailed.

Directional control:The Aardvark single unit construction with half track traction and aided wheel steering makes for good straight line control, this coupled with good sight of the track created permits ease of ensuring overlap and reducing the risk of missing mined areas or mines which have been displaced. Further, the sighting ability is very useful in very dusty situations and the positioning of the blast plate prevents problems with mud plastering the cab windows. Aardvark's half track design permits the vehicle to transit craters created by mine blasts.

Further trials:The current trials have finished, and will resume early in 2007 when live mine clearance, operational evaluation and ballistic survivability tests will be conducted.

CONCLUSION

Based on the observed results we are very pleased with Aardvark's performance.

It should be noted that the comments in these notes relating to the comparative tests are based on the experience of Aardvark test personnel. The views and findings of the US Army have not been expressed.

James A. Robertson, Vice President of Aardvark Landmine Clearance, Inc., said, "The Aardvark Joint Services Flail Unit was specifically designed and developed to be the most effective, and safe, landmine-clearing equipment in the world. It has been deployed for the past twenty-three years to numerous countries and has been proven to be effective in clearing many thousands of landmines without ever causing an injury to an operator. It is well suited to the US Army's requirements, is presently being operated by US Forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, and we have every confidence that it will be chosen as the system to be included in the Army's future inventory."

William Green
International Business Development Director
December 24th 2006




















































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