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Turns out that the Dutch armed forces agree[1] that it's not so easy either: "The Mine Kafon has just been tested by the Dutch Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit

by cflee 14y ago

Turns out that the Dutch armed forces agree[1] that it's not so easy either: "The Mine Kafon has just been tested by the Dutch Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, which has concluded that it is not suitable for mine clearance (which requires a more systematic approach), but at $50 each could be used as a cheap and safe way to identify dangerous areas that need demining." [1]http://australia.icbl.org/index_htm_files/May.pdf http://australia.icbl.org/index_htm_files/May.pdf

primitur 14y ago
Not suitable - for military purposes. DEODU is a military organization, and any conclusions it makes must be viewed in that light. Mine-clearing is a war tool as much as it is a peace tool.
- reitzensteinm 14y ago
  You're getting downvoted because civilian requirements are higher than military. If you manage to clear a field such that there is a single mine in it, it will likely become safer to march through than avoid - there are plenty of other things that can kill you, and they must be triaged in war time. However, if you take that same field after the war is over and put a farmer on it, it's basically a matter of time until he steps on it. His only chance is that an animal blows it up, or the mine is defective. Therefore, if it's not suitable for military clearing, it is even less suitable for civilian purposes (except for figuring out what needs to be cleared, as they say).
  - Confusion 14y ago
    I upvoted you and your parent. His assertion triggered your informative response, which I'd have had to do without otherwise. He wasn't annoying, just wrong, which is entirely acceptable as long as we are civil about it.
  - wtvanhest 14y ago
    While you are probably right about this mine clearing tool, there have been previous examples that show the military’s requirements for particular items are much higher than civilian requirements in times of relative peace. Obviously when there is a world war, requirements go down dramatically to get things done, but when making purchase decisions in time of peace it seems that requirements are very high. Items like devices/vehicles etc. get very expensive and complex. [Added] I’m talking from a US perspective, but it seems plausible that most developed country militaries spend on technology when in time of peace.
lambda 14y ago
If you watch the video, that's all that this is claimed to do. The headline it was posted under on is.gd and here on HN claim it's for clearing mines; but at 2:50 he says "My ideal scenario would be to provide it for local people as a tool to cheaply survey this danger in their own environment." All this discussion is because of an over-enthusiastic headline, not what the tool is actually intended for.
- 3minus1 14y ago
  I can't verify since I'm at work, but I'm pretty sure he talks about how a single roller can clear up to four mines. To me that implies this is meant as a tool for clearing the mines.

by cflee 14y ago

primitur 14y ago

Not suitable - for military purposes. DEODU is a military organization, and any conclusions it makes must be viewed in that light. Mine-clearing is a war tool as much as it is a peace tool.

reitzensteinm 14y ago
You're getting downvoted because civilian requirements are higher than military. If you manage to clear a field such that there is a single mine in it, it will likely become safer to march through than avoid - there are plenty of other things that can kill you, and they must be triaged in war time. However, if you take that same field after the war is over and put a farmer on it, it's basically a matter of time until he steps on it. His only chance is that an animal blows it up, or the mine is defective. Therefore, if it's not suitable for military clearing, it is even less suitable for civilian purposes (except for figuring out what needs to be cleared, as they say).
- Confusion 14y ago
  I upvoted you and your parent. His assertion triggered your informative response, which I'd have had to do without otherwise. He wasn't annoying, just wrong, which is entirely acceptable as long as we are civil about it.
- wtvanhest 14y ago
  While you are probably right about this mine clearing tool, there have been previous examples that show the military’s requirements for particular items are much higher than civilian requirements in times of relative peace. Obviously when there is a world war, requirements go down dramatically to get things done, but when making purchase decisions in time of peace it seems that requirements are very high. Items like devices/vehicles etc. get very expensive and complex. [Added] I’m talking from a US perspective, but it seems plausible that most developed country militaries spend on technology when in time of peace.

lambda 14y ago

If you watch the video, that's all that this is claimed to do. The headline it was posted under on is.gd and here on HN claim it's for clearing mines; but at 2:50 he says "My ideal scenario would be to provide it for local people as a tool to cheaply survey this danger in their own environment." All this discussion is because of an over-enthusiastic headline, not what the tool is actually intended for.

3minus1 14y ago
I can't verify since I'm at work, but I'm pretty sure he talks about how a single roller can clear up to four mines. To me that implies this is meant as a tool for clearing the mines.