Minesweeper
Mine search needles are simple instruments made of rigid wire or tubes that are used for mine clearance . The diameter of the needle is about 5 mm and the length up to 70 cm. Some models can be screwed or plugged together. Metal search pins are often anti-magnetic so that mines that react to changes in the magnetic field (e.g. anti- vehicle mines) are not triggered. However, there are also designs made of other materials such as. B. Carbon .
The mine clearance is usually carried out in combination with a metal detector . But since anti-personnel mines in particular hardly contain any metal, the detectors are very sensitive. As a result, in addition to mines, every other metal part triggers an alarm and is then examined with the mine search needle in order to identify it and determine its exact position.
At a distance of a few centimeters, the mine clearer carefully digs into the ground at a shallow angle of approx. 30 °. He tries not to touch the top of the mine, where the detonator is usually located. If the deminer encounters resistance, the area is exposed. A mine found is cleared or blown up on site. Searching with a search needle is not only dangerous, it is also very time-consuming, as objects such as roots or metal parts are often examined.
In the early 2000s, laser optical mine search needles were developed. At the tip of the needle there is a sensor that uses laser ablation to determine the material of the detected object in the ground. This makes mine clearance not less dangerous, but faster, as not every object has to be dug up in a time-consuming manner.