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Mongoose Explosive Standoff Minefield Clearer (ESMC)

Mongoose Explosive Standoff Mine Clearer (ESMC), being developed for the U.S. Army Engineer School, MANSCEN, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, is a rocket-deployed array of countermine shaped charges. These charges are evenly dispersed throughout an Explosive Neutralization System (ENS), which is a net-like device comprised of nylon strapping, a detonation cord and the charges themselves.

The benefits of using the Mongoose ESMC system include:

• Defeats mines that have countermeasures to current explosive countermine systems
• Enhanced force mobility and survivability of the maneuver force
• Ability to clear additional lanes, after the initial breach, to support the movement of combat support elements
• Dual variants to support both the emerging Brigade Combat Team and the legacy force

Mongoose is a countermine system that creates a vehicular lane by explosively neutralizing all surface and buried AT mines from a position originating outside their lethal radius. Mongoose consists of a rocket propelled explosive neutralization system (ENS) with shaped charge munitions embedded in a scalable oblong net, capable of neutralizing mines with 5 inch overburden. The system works by attacking the explosive component of the mine, not the mine's fusing mechanism. Munition spacing ensures all AT mines of at least 8 inches in diameter will be destroyed.

The system is trailer mounted. It launches the ENS over the top of the host vehicle. Lead and tether lines provide the capability to launch the system from a standoff position beyond the explosive threat of the minefield. When deployed, the ENS expands laterally and longitudinally, and is placed, fully opened, across the minefield. The system is then command detonated from within the host vehicle. Mongoose ESMC defeats, to a 95 percent surety, all mines beneath the deployed ENS and provides a cleared lane for the passage of mounted troops.

The Mongoose is towed to the breach point. It deploys at a 50-meter standoff distance from the minefield to front of the vehicle via an inert tether. Mongoose automatically adjusts the launch angle to compensate for terrain, wind, and temperature variations. A hand-held control display unit is used, from within the vehicle, to execute all Mongoose arming and employment functions, including raising and launching the rocket, and detonating the ENS. Multiple Mongooses may be required to breach deeper minefields. Second and subsequent shots would be fired from within the lane just created. A proofing asset is required to validate the cleared lane.

The Mongoose ORD has been updated to support the IBCT and legacy forces and was approved on 23 October 2000. The program re-entered System Development and Demonstration (SDD) in November 2000. One for one replacement for the MICLIC. IBCT Engineer Companies have six systems (2 per platoon, 3 platoons).