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Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector (VMMD)
Interim Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector (IVMMD)
Meerkat Mine Detection Vehicle (MDV)
Husky Towing/Mine Detection Vehicle (T/MDV) / Mounted Detection System (HMDS)
GSTAMIDS Block 0 Mine Detection Vehicle (MDV)

The main purpose of the IVMMD was to provide an interim vehicle mounted capability from a non-developmental source until the Ground Standoff Mine Detection System (GSTAMIDS) could be fielded. The vehicles, Meerkat and Husky, were overpass capable and included fully vehicle width mine detectors. They were mine-resistant and could be repaired following a mine blast in the field. The detonation trailers provided the route proofing capability.

The employment strategy for the IVMMD involved the leading vehicle, Meerkat, searching for antitank mines. Upon detection, the Husky would move forward towing the detonation trailers. A squad of engineers could then neutralize the mine or the trailers could detonate the mines in place. Tele-operation capability was being developed to remotely control the Meerkat to provide a standoff distance to soldiers using the system to detect larger mines or during operations when the mine threat was unknown.

The first unit was equipped in FY98. Ten systems were procured. Nine systems were to reside at Sierra Army Depot as contingency items. One system would reside at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. IVMMD fielding was completed at that time. The Vehicle Teleoperations (VT) kit completed testing in February 2000. These systems were part of the Ground Standoff Mine Detection System (GSTAMIDS) Block 0 program, of which the IVMMD had been designated as the Mine Detection Vehicle component.

Development on the GSTAMIDS Block 0 program was terminated in mid-2003 to make way for the FCS GSTAMIDS program will begin in October 2003. However, the systems remained in inventory and were deployed to Iraq beginning in 2004. The deployment had been the responsibility of the Mine and Explosive Ordnance Information Coordination Center in Iraq. The initial fielding of the IVMMD, as well as the Buffalo and the RG-31, to Iraq was to be complete in the second quarter of FY06.

In January 2006 the US Army Tank Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC) on behalf of the Product Manager, Bridging-Countermine Division solicited informational white papers for procurement of Interim Mounted Mine Detection Systems used in point, route and area clearance of mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). The IVMMD system was a blast protected vehicle mounted mine detection and lane proofing system that would operate in explosive hazardous environments. It would support Future Engineer Force (FEF) Clearance companies in route and area clearance operations, and Explosive Hazards Teams in explosive hazards reconnaissance operations.

The primary function of the IVMMD was to detect metallic explosive hazards and protect Soldiers and equipment conducting explosive hazard missions to assure the mobility of the force at the strategic through tactical level. The IVMMD would enable maneuver and movement in the battle-space, capitalize on integrated joint capabilities to expand mutual support across expanded areas of operation, and allow units to conduct relatively independent non-linear operations within contiguous or non-contiguous areas of operations. The request for information (RFI) was issued to identify the availability of candidate systems capable of meeting specific requirements and assess production capabilities, logistical supportability, and post production support for the products. The objective of the request was to primarily focus on non-developmental vehicle solutions that would meet the Army's requirements.

The RFI contained a detailed description of required IVMMD capabilities:

• Operator had to survive AT Mine Blast; Ballistic Protection; IED Protection
• Locate greater than 86 percent of on-route surface laid AT mines and provide visual and audio displays to the onboard operator in near real time
• Locate greater than 86 percent of buried AT mines on secondary and unpaved roads buried in accordance with threat doctrine (no deeper than 5 inches from top of mine to ground surface)
• 100 percent of communication interfaces; services; policy enforcement controls; and data correctness available. SINGCARS included as part of baseline configuration
• Transportable by rail, sealift, highway, air (C-5, C-17, C-130) without disassembly
• False alarm rate must be less than 100 per linear kilometer
• Initial maintenance provided through CLS. Battle damage repair kits and detailed manuals needed to be provided. Manuals needed to go thru full VAL/VERA
• Markers had to be accurate enough to mark a mine within 1 meter of the edge of the nearest mine and marker must be visible from 5 meters during daylight hours
• Tactical lighting system inside and outside of vehicle with blackout capabilities
• Had to be safe to store, transport, operate and maintain subject to the precautions and limitations noted
• Should not be operationally degraded or fail due to electromagnetic environmental effects. Radio frequency dependent components were required to not produce electromagnetic emissions that would interfere or degrade the performance of Soldier instrumentation, weapons, sensors, or communication systems
• Upgradeable to provide NBC protection and operate in MOPP 4 conditions
• Equipped with an interior climatic control system to provide heating and cooling and capable of operating in hot and basic MIL-standard climatic conditions
• Mean Miles between System Abort had to be greater than 1500 miles and Maintenance Ratio less than 0.23
• System had to survive the INWE of High-Altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP)

The description of the system was to include, but was not limited to: availability or production schedule; cost; mine blast protection under tire and hull; ballistic protection from direct and indirect fire; nuclear biological and chemical (NBC) protection; detection and marking capability; curb weight; payload; range; length; width; height; ground clearance; air conditioning; speed; vertical step; engine model; engine horsepower; engine torque; tire type; design considerations that lead to quick repair after a mine/IED strike; vehicle repair manuals; tactical lighting; E3 Effects, air transportability; communication systems; logistics support; and operation in various climatic conditions.

The data received in response to the RFI was to be used for informational purposes only and did not, in any way, mandate or impose requirements. PM Bridging did not intend to award a contract on the basis of the 2006 RFI or otherwise pay for information solicited therein. The US government requested unlimited rights to the data provided, however, recognizing that proprietary data might be included with the information provided. If that were to be the case, proprietary data had to be clearly marked as such and separated from the unrestricted information as an addendum. Proprietary information would be protected. All responses to the request for information were required to be submitted by the close of business on 20 January 2006.

Between 2006 and 2007, the Meerkat and Husky (later referred to as Husky Mk I) vehicles of the IVMMD were replaced with 2 Husky Mk II vehicles. The resulting system became known as the Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector (VMMD). Utilizing two of the same vehicles allowed for them to be used interchangeably as either the Mine Detection Vehicle (MDV) or Towing/Mine Detection Vehicle (T/MDV), reducing maintenance and logistics requirements. The further improved Husky Mk III was eventually included in the system as well, intended to supercede the Husky Mk II. The Meerkat/Husky IVMMD systems remained in service to provide additional capability, to be transitioned out of service as they became unsupportable.

In February 2006, funds for the development of a VMMD Advanced Technology Program were included in a DoD budget proposal. These funds would be used for a 2 year TTI project to insert Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) produced by Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology, Inc. (NIITEK) onto the commercial-off-the-shelf Husky vehicle to upgrade its threat detection capabilities. The transitioning technology was the NIITEK mine detection ground penetrating radar (GPR) sold commercially as Visor 2500. This GPR was a breakthrough in mine detection that achieved very high detection against all types of anti-tank (AT) mines while maintaining an extremely low false alarm rate. This technology afforded the opportunity to get out in front of the evolving threat by providing the capability to detect plastic low metal mines as well as large buried explosive charges, explosively formed penetrators (EFPs), or IED's that did not contain metal. The FY06 plans included the design of the overall detection architecture, the production of one set of mounting, stowage and height control hardware, the production of 2 1.2-meter prototype Niitek GPR arrays (one unit), the production of one marking sub-system, the integration of computers and operator interface, and the beginning of the integration of system components onto the Husky vehicle. Plans for FY07 included: the completion of the integration of system components onto the Husky, the improvement of the mine detection algorithm suite with algorithms for detecting ordnance based IEDs, the production of manuals, training package, and selected spare parts, the conduct of data collections, demonstrations, tests and evaluations, and the transition to Project Manager-Close Combat Systems. The resulting system became known as the Husky Mounted Detection System (HMDS).

In January 2009, the US Marine Corps used the Husky VMMD during Operation Gateway III in Afghanistan, in which the the route clearance platoon of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced) was involved the clearing of southern Afghanistan's IED-laden Route 515.

In June 2009, the US Army Contracting Center, CECOM Contracting Center Washington, on behalf of the US Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD), issued a sources sought notice for sources to provide continuing support services and spare parts for the HMDS, then deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Support services for HMDS hardware were sought to provide the following at both CONUS and OCONUS locations: installation of systems on Husky Towing/Mine Detection Vehicles (on both the Husky Mark II and further improved Husky Mark III vehicles), all levels of maintenance and repair of HMDS hardware, and the training of units receiving the HMDS. In addition, the constractor for the Husky vehicle, Critical Solutions International, had developed a variant of the Husky III that would allow for 2 personnel to ride in the drivers cabin, specifically to counter the increased workload stemming from the installation of the GPR. By 2009 it was unclear whether the US military had procured this variant.