Drone positioning, bomb disposal robots

◎Reporter Zhang Qiang

Correspondents Song Qiang Huang Zihan

Unmanned exploration, precise positioning, rapid bomb disposal… Recently, in a live-action integrated drill at a certain brigade of the 71st Group Army, the exercise is underway in a tense and focused manner. Officers and enlisted personnel operate drones and bomb-disposal robots to quickly and accurately neutralize multiple unexploded ordnance items within the task area amid complex terrain, successfully completing the route-opening mission.

At the command from the command post, the operator, Wang Yikun, decisively activated the drone to advance and survey the task area, then, at low altitude, used a magnetic detection system to scan, identify, and mark metal-type unexploded ordnance. The high-definition imagery and positioning data were synchronized and transmitted in real time back to the large screen in the command post, making the previously complex battlefield situation clearly visible.

“Compared with traditional human reconnaissance, drone reconnaissance is faster and covers a wider area.” During breaks in the drill, the battalion commander of the explosive ordnance section, Bi Yongkang, pointed to the images on the large screen and explained that in past combat operations, human reconnaissance not only had low efficiency, but reconnaissance personnel also had to face potential dangers.

For the first time, this drill adopted coordinated destruction of unexploded ordnance using drones and bomb-disposal robots. “The locations of the unexploded ordnance have been confirmed—deploy the bomb-disposal robot to advance for disposal.” Upon receiving the order, the third-class sergeant, Hu Qianghui, looked fully focused. He remotely controlled the bomb-disposal robot to advance and ascertain the specific situation of the unexploded bomb, and operated the mechanical arm to use a brush to clear the earth covering the unexploded ordnance. At the same time, the drone continuously hovered in the air, providing real-time positioning and environmental monitoring for the bomb-disposal robot. Once everything was ready, Hu Qianghui remotely controlled the bomb-disposal robot, and with the drone’s assistance, set up a non-contact shaped-charge power device for disposal. With a loud “boom,” the unexploded bomb was successfully destroyed, and the route-opening mission was completed smoothly.

Hu Qianghui admitted: “Traditional bomb-disposal methods require personnel to approach the unexploded ordnance. The preparation time is long, the operation procedures are numerous, and the safety risks are high. If you’re even slightly careless, an accident could be triggered.”

Today, unmanned intelligent equipment has become an important role in modern warfare. The brigade conducted innovative breakthroughs targeting the key and difficult issues in bomb disposal, and explored an unmanned coordinated combat tactic of “drone positioning, robot bomb disposal,” effectively addressing the problem of manual bomb disposal. This long-distance, non-contact method of bomb disposal can handle situations with complex terrain and harsh weather where manual bomb disposal is more difficult, significantly improving the safety and efficiency of bomb disposal.

“By using this new tactic, it can better adapt to complex combat environments and produce an effect of ‘1+1’ far greater than ‘2’.” When discussing the new changes at the training ground, the brigade leadership said that to ensure scientific and technological innovation is promptly transformed into the force’s combat capability, they carefully planned, selected technical backbones and specialized backbones to form a team to carry out tactics and tactics-related research and development. From familiarizing themselves with and mastering equipment to integrating and innovating tactics, from theoretical modeling and simulations to on-site verification, the officers and enlisted personnel fought day and night, and incorporated the new equipment into tactical training and full-scale exercises at the earliest opportunity. They have explored and innovated multiple tactics and training methods in succession.

Bi Yongkang, an officer of the explosive ordnance section, said that this drill helps explore the practical application of unmanned equipment in combat operations, and supports the unit in continuously improving its ability to accomplish a variety of military missions.

Tactics and training methods must not only keep innovating, but also withstand the test of the battlefield. During the drill, the brigade specifically arranged personnel to collect training data and assess the real-world usefulness of the tactics. Next, the brigade will focus on more than 10 subjects, such as building route passages quickly in coordination with drones, to conduct focused research and coordinated breakthroughs.