Remote Control and
Monitoring of K-9; Identification of Concealed, Improvised and Homemade
Explosives and their Components
Project objective:
To create a technological system complex that would allow the control
and monitoring of the activity of a K-9 dog without being in a
direct contact with a K-9 dog + dog handler. To relieve the CNS of a K-9
through a special training and profiling methodology, using special equipment
in the action field, thus reducing the factors that affect the dog’s fatigue
and increasing its working time. To achieve a significant increase in the
percentage of identification of explosives and their components from the existing
80% to 95%, reducing the existing risk factors.
1.
To develop training and profiling methods AK-9VM (Remote
K-9 Control and Monitoring) at SSI (Concealed Explosives
Identification), ISI (Improvised Explosives Identification)
and PSI (Homemade Explosives Identification).
2.
To prepare methodological materials for the training
and profiling process for K-9 and dog handlers/operators using the
technological system AK-9VM at SSI, ISI and PSI.
3.
To produce a prototype of combat gear AK-9VM designed
for industrial production.
4.
To produce prototypes of electronic gear AK-9VM
designed for industrial production for the equipment to be placed on a K-9.
5.
To produce a prototype of the mobile monitoring and
control device designed for industrial production for the dog handler’s gear.
6.
To produce a prototype of a stationary Informative
Analytical Control and Monitoring Centre designed for industrial production,
supplying it with software.
7.
To produce a prototype of the Unmanned Flying Platform
designed for industrial production and to supply it with an appropriate set of
equipment necessary for the implementation of the project objective.
8.
To carry out testing of the entire technological chain
in all climatic conditions of the European Union, from the extreme north to the
southernmost point of the EU.
Project description:
A lot of investment is made
around the world in the development of automated systems for identifying
explosives. One of the latest projects, which turned out to be a complete
failure, is the SSIAS project, worth 19 billion and lasting 6 years. The result
demonstrated by the equipment when operating in real time was only 50% of the
planted concealed test explosives, whereas the dog identified 80% of the
planted test materials. The conclusion is that no equipment made by human so
far has been able to beat the dog as an explosive detector.
The dog has been known to
people as an active player in the battlefield for several centuries. As regular
soldiers, however, dog have served in the US Army since 1942. In the Soviet
army, dogs began their service in the 1930s. Dogs have performed various
military duties in the armies, performing the functions of liaison dogs,
evacuators of the wounded and mine detection dogs or explosive identifiers,
which is one of the most sought-after dog specialties.
According to the UN data,
there are currently more than 100 – 120 million units of concealed explosives
in the world. Every month, 500 – 800 people fall victim to hidden explosives,
and every third of them is a child. During demining, two deminers are killed
and four are seriously injured per 500 concealed explosives.
The technological solution we
offer eliminates the presence of a human deminer in the active area, and the
risk of injury or death is completely avoided.
The identification process in
the active area, where concealed explosives are planted, is carried out by a
specially trained and geared group of dogs. The dog handler/operator leads and
monitors a group of military dogs at a considerable distance, which is 5,000
metres and more from the active area.
Using the special gear placed
on the dog, which allows receiving full information about the dog’s vital data
and specialised audio-visual information, as well as to manage and control the
dog’s work, the dog handler/operator has the opportunity to record and document
all the explosive components found by the dog.
One of the elements of the
gear allows blocking completely the unauthorised data (signal) transmission to
the activation/detonation initiation module of the concealed explosive, thus
eliminating the possible detonation of the hidden explosive by a command from
the outside.
When identifying concealed
explosives at mass events or mass assembly points, the system allows the
identification of a concealed explosives carrier or a person who has been in
contact with explosives or their components within a period of 72 hours. By identifying
the explosive carrier, the system allows the dog to keep clear, making it
possible for the dog to stay off radar.
The identification methodology
analyses changes in the dog’s vital data that occur at the moment when the
explosive or its components are detected with the dog’s sense organs and sends
the obtained data to the dog handler/operator.
The main advantages of using the system under
development:
1.
Risk reduction for the dog handler: a significant
distance from the active area, zero risk to health and life.
2.
Risk reduction for the dog: more prompt and thoughtful
action, no need to worry about the safety of the dog handler.
3.
Relieves and reduces dog fatigue in the field.
4.
Factors limiting the dog’s activity are reduced: a
person does not interfere with the dog’s work.
5.
Combined control and monitoring.
6.
Possibility for one dog handler/operator to control
and monitor several dogs (2 – 4) at the same time (similar systems are intended
for monitoring one dog only).
7.
Control and monitoring distance of more than 5,000
metres (the existing similar systems operate within a range of 300 metres).
8.
The lightweight gear placed on the dog: around 450 g
(the weight of similar equipment is 900 g and more).
9.
The technological system AK-9VM being developed is
dual-use.
Possible applications without
the above-mentioned ones would be intelligence surveillance work, patrolling
objects, guarding objects, and search and rescue operations.
