US Military Mine Clearing MRAPs With Freakin Laser Beams

The American military is testing a high-powered laser cannon mounted on an armoured truck to clear air fields of unexploded bombs and booby-traps.

The 3KW laser operated with a games console-style controller will be able to detonate unexploded ordnance and makeshift bombs at 300 yards.

A robotic arm fitted to the vehicle can also dig around bombs and haul up 50lb of earth and debris at a time.

Developers believe the new vehicle will be quicker and safer for clearing areas than more traditional methods such as shooting at unexploded bombs with a heavy machine gun, or sending in bomb disposal experts and their robots.

link.

UISS: US Navy Plans Unmanned Surface Ship for Hunting Mines by 2016

The Navy is building a 40-foot-long unmanned surface vehicle designed to launch from a Littoral Combat Ship and detonate and destroy underwater mines while keeping ships and sailors at a safe distance, service officials said.

The first prototype, scheduled to be finished by 2016, will pave the way for initial production of the Unmanned Influence Sweep System, or UISS, Capt. David Honabach, program manager, unmanned maritime systems, told Military​.com.

The Navy hopes to have the UISS in the fleet by 2017.

link.