A Successful Swiss Product for the Destruction of Mines
SM Swiss Ammunition Enterprise meets with a growing international interest for its range of mine disposal products. Just recently its field demonstration to EOD specialists and SFOR representatives at Vogosca (Bosnia-Herzegowina) has been a success. Since the conflict in the Balkans the disposal of mines and duds has again become highly relevant in Europe. A good reason for SM to contribute to the elimination of this danger source in this very region, thereby making life safer for the population.
Ammunition does not detonate For years SM has been active in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD ) sector. It offers one of the safest and most effective products in this area. The mines and duds can be disposed with the so-called "Low-Order-Method". The ammunition is not detonated. The method merely separates the firing device from the explosive charge, leading to a burnup or a deflagration. Consequently, harmful effects on the environment are reduced to a minimum.
Small danger potential SM-EOD is based on the shaped charge principle, one of the core competences of SM. The entire SM-EOD-System, with the exception of the copper filler, is made of plastic and therefore reduces the danger potential for the user when destroying the mines and duds. The simple way of handling without touching the object guarantees a safe employment against all types of ammunition. Since the EOD-Systems are qualified according to international standards, the world-wide exportability is assured.
International interest The SM-EOD products meet with a growing international interest. Additional specific inquiries for deliveries to the Balkans have been received. SM-EOD20 was successfully used in Croatia. Technical trials with SM-EOD33, which is also suitable for underwater operation, are being conducted by the US-NAVY.
Deliveries for Swiss Armed Forces Of course the Swiss Armed Forces have also recognized the benefit of the SM-EOD product range for the humanitarian and military employment. The systems SM-EOD33 and SM-EOD67 were already delivered. This May the Defence Procurement Agency completed the technical trials of the SM-EOD20 system and initiated its procurement. The Swiss Armed Forces also intend to test the SM-EOD190, which was especially developed for the destruction of buried bombs. The delivery is planned for October 1999. Other countries are also very interested in EOD190.
Transport by air freight The SM-EOD20 and SM-EOD33 systems were reclassified for the international transport of dangerous goods: they are now both in class 1.4 S and can be transported by normal air freight, which is a considerable advantage.
