Meerkat (vehicle)
Encyclopedia
The Meerkat is the lead vehicle
in the Interim Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector IVMMD system , which evolved from a system known as Chubby
.
The system is manufactured by the Rolling Stock Division (RSD) of DCD-Dorbyl
, a mechanical engineering
conglomerate in South Africa
.
The Meerkat resembles a cross between a dune buggy
and a grader
, with a pair of horizontally-mounted rectangular panels, one each side, where the grader's blade would be.
The Meerkat is intended only to detect land mines - the related Husky and its trailers are intended to dispose of detected mines.
With its tire pressures lowered, the Meerkat produces a relatively low pressure on the ground below the tires, enabling it to pass over pressure-sensitive mines designed to destroy heavy vehicles. Even if it detonates a mine, the floor of the driver's cabin is armored and the structural components are designed to be quickly replaced.
Vehicle
A vehicle is a device that is designed or used to transport people or cargo. Most often vehicles are manufactured, such as bicycles, cars, motorcycles, trains, ships, boats, and aircraft....
in the Interim Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector IVMMD system , which evolved from a system known as Chubby
Chubby (mine detection system)
Husky VMMD or as it was previously known as the Chubby system is part of a mine-removal system developed by DCD-Dorbyl Rolling Stock Division of East Rand, Gauteng, South Africa....
.
The system is manufactured by the Rolling Stock Division (RSD) of DCD-Dorbyl
DCD-Dorbyl
DCD-DORBYL is a South African conglomerate cooperation originally founded in formed in 1946 when Dorman Long and Vanderbijl Engineering Corporation merged. The company specializes in engineering projects, including rail and military defence vehicle engineering, roller manufacturing, marine...
, a mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
conglomerate in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
The Meerkat resembles a cross between a dune buggy
Dune buggy
A dune buggy is a recreational vehicle with large wheels, and wide tires, designed for use on sand dunes or beaches. The design is usually a modified vehicle and engine mounted on an open chassis. The modifications usually attempt to increase the power-to-weight ratio by either lightening the...
and a grader
Grader
A grader, also commonly referred to as a road grader, a blade, a maintainer, or a motor grader, is a construction machine with a long blade used to create a flat surface. Typical models have three axles, with the engine and cab situated above the rear axles at one end of the vehicle and a third...
, with a pair of horizontally-mounted rectangular panels, one each side, where the grader's blade would be.
The Meerkat is intended only to detect land mines - the related Husky and its trailers are intended to dispose of detected mines.
With its tire pressures lowered, the Meerkat produces a relatively low pressure on the ground below the tires, enabling it to pass over pressure-sensitive mines designed to destroy heavy vehicles. Even if it detonates a mine, the floor of the driver's cabin is armored and the structural components are designed to be quickly replaced.