The Full Width Mine Plough (FWMP) uses a raking action to clear a safe path by bringing concealed or buried mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to the surface and moving them wide and clear of the vehicle.
Battle proven and blast resistant, the FWMP comprises three main parts; two nine-tine track width blades, left and right hand, and a central five-tine vee blade. Together with the tines, they provide the necessary raking action. Fold-out blade extensions ensure mines are pushed well beyond the width of the cleared lane.
Constant depth control is maintained by plough skids, supported by skid arms, which remain in contact with the ground in undulating terrain. The plough skids and skid arms control the blade support linkages which ensure the blades accurately follow the ground contour.
The FWMP performs well in a wide variety of different soils and terrain. Originally developed to meet the requirements of the British Army, today the FWMP is in service with, amongst others, the British Army, the US Army, the US Marine Corps and the Finnish, Danish, Dutch and Swedish Armed Forces.
Common Interface
The High LiR Adaptor (HLA) allows the rapid interchange and attachment of a wide range of Pearson Engineering Special to Role equipment, as well as fast release in an emergency using an integral hydraulic jelson system.
The HLA is designed with a hydraulic lift capability in order to provide a greater front end approach angle, therefore improving vehicle mobility in restricted terrain. Without this capability, the ability of the vehicle to climb and descend banks and to cross gaps may be limited.
Operation and Control
The FWMP has two operating positions; stowed for cross-country travel and deployed for breaching operations. Two hydraulic lift cylinders stow and deploy the plough blades. Hydraulic power is provided by an in-built electrohydraulic power system if the FWMP is fitted directly to a vehicle, or if fitted using the high lift adaptor (HLA), from the HLA on-board hydraulic system.
Modular
The FWMP can be rapidly attached to or detached from the vehicle and interchanged with other special-to-role equipment. A hard surface device (HSD) can be fitted to the FWMP to clear mines and munitions laid on the surface of roads and hard flat terrain. An optional magnatic system duplicator (MSD) can be fitted to help protect the equipment from the effect of magnetically fused mines.
A purpose-built transportation pallet facilitates both storage and transport and is capable of filng into either an ISO container or onto
a DROPS pallet.
Key Features
- Rapidly clears mines and IEDs from the full width of the host vehicle
- Blast resistant and can remain fully operational after a mine detonation
- Designed to minimise the tractive effort required
- Capable of operating in a wide range of soil conditions
- Low maintenance
- Can be fitted with a MSD to counter magnetic influence fused mines
Specifications
Weight: 3,600kg
Cleared lane width: 4,200mm
Cleared lane depth: 175mm to 300mm
Ploughing speed range: 1kph to 15kph
Raise cycle: 11 seconds
Lower cycle: Eight seconds
Hydraulic pressure: 275 bar
Hydraulic flow rate: 30 litres per minute