In contrast to the two robotics projects, which are focusing on robot design, this project is working to help develop the Golden West Non-Explosive Disposal System (NEDS), a tool to destroy ordnance. In the simplest terms, the NEDS is a modified commercial Oxylance Sure-Cut © which is a hand-held exothermic torch that once ignited reaches temperatures nearly twice as high as Thermite. Focused on a point of only 3/8th inch diameter, it quickly burns through the shell of the explosive device. Once through the shell and depending on the placement of the system, the explosive material will either burn (low-order detonation) or explode (high-order detonation). Either way, the ordnance becomes inert.
The NEDS set up for a burn test.
Sparks fly as the NEDS burns through an ordnance casing in seconds!
In under 5 seconds, the NEDS has burnt a hole clean
through the ordnance casing.
Drone images taken during a live test on the
USSR PTAB 2.5M cluster munition.
Currently, the most common method for disposing of ordnance is to use a smaller explosive charge to detonate the larger ordnance. While this method is effective and quick, there are areas of the world where it is difficult to obtain these smaller charges. Political and economic factors make importing these charges very difficult and expensive. The NEDS is a fast, inexpensive, and readily available option for the disposal of explosives. While the small charges are difficult to import or obtain in country, the NEDS simply requires steel piping and a tank of oxygen, materials that can be easily obtained nearly anywhere in the world.
In the last few weeks, team member Preston Whiteman (Villanova University, Graduate Student), along with Roger Hess (Golden West Chief Technical Officer), John Wright (Golden West Chief Design Engineer) and Matthew (Intern from Singapore University of Technology and Design), have traveled to the province of Kampong Chhnang (K.C.) to the testing facility shared by Golden West and Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) to test the ignition reliability of the NEDS. In the realm of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), technology must work every single time, and there is no better place to “torture test” equipment than K.C. As John says, “electrons seem to flow backwards in K.C.”. Additionally, Preston designed and 3D-printed an orifice flow meter to find the flow rate of oxygen through the pipe. The next step is to convert the entire system to a wireless digital control. While this project is not expected to be completed this summer, there are plans for Golden West to continue work and take the NEDS to market.
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