Following the release of the RCV-Pioneer Urban Obstacle Clearance Mission Payload at DSEI 2023, which was proven during trials in the United States, the new RCV-Pioneer Minefield Breaching variant will be released at Eurosatory 2024.
The development is part of a planned roll out of engineering capability optimised for a conflict environment that is increasingly characterised by robotics, automation and autonomy. Of a number of Research & Development projects, the minefield breaching mission payload has been prioritised to respond to an increase in demand, driven by the proliferation of anti-tank mines in Ukraine and the threat posed to soldiers. Trial plans with several NATO nations are already in development for Autumn 2024.
Based on expertise developed over Pearson Engineering’s four decades of providing mine ploughs to international end-users, the new Minefield Breaching Mission Payload shares design features that have been integrated with a wide range of vehicle types and are battle proven.
Leveraging technical detail from Pearson Engineering’s VECTOR in-service track width mine plough, which maximises ploughing capability on lightweight vehicles with lower tractive capability than traditional Armoured Engineer Vehicles, the RCV-Pioneer Minefield Breaching Mission Payload features two track-width plough blades at the front of the vehicle and a centre-section at the rear to provide full width clearance.
The plough sections are arranged around a free-standing and intelligent mission payload frame which enables rapid docking with the chosen uncrewed vehicle. Adjustable jacks lower the frame onto the vehicle before locks secure the payload and vehicle together. In keeping with Pearson Engineering’s scalable approach, the mission payloads can be interchanged by using the system’s same features to unlock the frame from the vehicle and to lift it to allow the vehicle to drive to another payload where the process can be repeated by the same Commander using the same controls.
Pearson Engineering has designed a customisable Operator Control Unit (OCU) with a real-time digital twin visualisation to shorten training and mission times. The OCU is used to teleoperate the RCV-Pioneer Modular Mission Payloads and is compatible with multiple payloads. The OCU includes an embedded video screen to enable Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) control. The system is designed to meet current Military Standards for performance and safety.
“We recognise the growing place for uncrewed vehicles on the battlefield and their need to both move to places of their Commanders’ choosing, and to provide mobility and counter-mobility support to others. Following the success of our first mission pack which was designed to provide urban obstacle clearance capability, and which has now been trialled on multiple occasions in the United States during manoeuvre support experimentation exercises, we are pleased to launch our new minefield breaching pack at Eurosatory in keeping with end-user demand.”
– Richard Beatson, Business Development Director at Pearson Engineering
Our battle proven minefield breaching products provide armoured vehicles with the capability to defeat anti-tank mines. Whether intended for deliberate breaching or to support ‘freedom of manoeuvre’ for fighting vehicles, our blast-resistant ploughs give Commanders the option to move unimpeded and in doing so, maintain a battlefield advantage.
Our earth loading capability delivers a powerful digging and carrying ability, enabling armoured vehicles to transport materials, clear obstacles, dig and fill trenches and to assist in construction tasks. Our loaders can be provided with varying degrees of function and therefore complexity to support different mission sets.
Our interrogation capability is rooted in providing additional capability for Counter-IED and Route Proving operations. To supplement physical detection from ground engaging roller systems, our interrogation arm can be used to further understand the nature of threats and to identify where risks may be present outside of the path of the roller.
Our obstacle and earth moving products include general purpose and multi-purpose dozer blades, designed specifically to meet the needs of different mission sets. Our blades are designed to be tough, robust and lightweight, enabling a wide range of obstacle and earth moving activities whilst minimising the impact on the vehicle’s mobility.
Typically used alongside Pearson Engineering’s Route Opening Mine Plough, Surface Clearance Device or Route Proving rollers, our highly configurable obstacle marking systems support battlefield mobility by quickly and reliably marking safe lanes and the edge of hazardous areas.
Our excavation capability is designed to support combat engineer operations such as digging, demolishing, removing obstacles and filling trenches to support Area Access and Area Denial.
Our approach is often described as a ‘Swiss Army Knife’ in that host vehicles can be adapted to take on various combat engineering roles, or to overcome challenges to mobility. Integration of our products with the vehicle is made via a Pearson Engineering Direct Fit Interface or Pearson Engineering Quick Connect. The most suitable integration method depends on the mission requirements and vehicle capabilities. Our engineers will work closely with end-users and vehicle manufacturers to define the most appropriate route to minimise the impact on the vehicle and to maximise operational capability. Decisions are often based on hydraulic and electrical availability as well as the required role of the vehicle. Our integration kits are used to fit products that are designed to enhance armoured vehicle agility, tactical flexibility and adaptability. They are designed to be configurable and to deliver ‘freedom of manoeuvre’ to operations.
Our recovery capability includes a range of dedicated and multi-purpose blades which are primarily designed to support the recovery of other vehicles and for moving of heavy obstacles. A powerful ground-engaging blade sinks into the earth to hold a vehicle static, acting as the force against which the obstacle can be pulled. The same blade can be articulated to provide some obstacle and earth moving capability.
Surface laid mines represent a rising threat as Armed Forces turn their attention to near peer conflict. Our solutions, each designed to support the missions of dedicated combat engineer vehicles or fighting vehicles, provide a comprehensive detect and displace capability to support deliberate clearance or self-extraction in the face of air delivered scatterable mines.
Our highly configurable rollers have saved countless lives, limbs and assets on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and have succeeded in ensuring ‘freedom of manoeuvre’ for soldiers around the world. Provided as either a full-width ‘route proving’ variant to actively check routes for the presence of Improvised Explosive Devices, or as a track-width ‘self-protection’ variant, our rollers are designed specifically to meet the needs of wide-ranging operational requirements. Our continued Research & Development and our approach to customisation provides confidence to those who use them.
Like all of Pearson Engineering’s products, our assault gap crossing solutions are designed to be modular, to be interchangeable with other mobility and counter-mobility equipment and to support ‘freedom of manoeuvre’ on the battlefield. In a time when units are tasked to ‘march divided and fight united’, independent manoeuvre support is key.
Our range of Mine Clearance platforms and tools provide Armed Forces and other organisations with scalable solutions for mine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal and the defeat of improvised explosive devices. Our platforms and their tools can also be used to create mobility challenges for adversaries. Proven around the world, these mine clearance platforms and their tools are designed specifically to meet the needs of different operational contexts from large area clearance to support logistics and peace keeping operations through to clearance in complex terrain.