Python Minefield Breaching System
The Python Minefield Breaching System is used by the British Army to clear mine barriers . It replaced the Giant Viper system and has the ability to cut a safe path 180 to 200 meters long and up to 7.30 meters wide through a minefield.
The system consists of a single trailer pulled by a Trojan (AVRE) mine clearance vehicle . In order to use it, a single rocket “250 mm L9 53 kg” is launched from the trailer, which pulls a 228 meter long hose filled with 1455 kg of explosives “pe6 / al” over the minefield. After the blasting hose hits the ground, it detonates and detonates 90% of the existing mines. The remaining 10% are thrown to the side without exploding. The system can also be used with two devices at the same time to reach double impulse mines or deeper mines.
Python is used operationally in Afghanistan. During Operation Moshtarak, a British offensive, the Royal Engineers tried the system to combat IEDs .