Currently, the US Military runs divisions called “Route Clearance Crews” using large retrofitted bulldozers called “HMDS” (Husky Mounted Detection Systems, from Niitek) that travel important routes through unfriendly territory looking for mines and IED’s. As you can imagine, these machines are expensive and delicate. A recent analysis from the military found that 50% of all damages to the ground penetrating radar panels came from simple operator error from users unfamiliar with the equipment. To fix this, the Army partnered up with the Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) to create a video-game based training package to train users on proper use of the equipment.
“The joint forces have received the HMDS training package with such high marks that we anticipate its use will far exceed its original intent and capability over the coming years,” said Vigus. The HMDS training package’s success exists in its ability to incorporate holistic interactive multimedia instruction with virtual and live training. The result of this approach to training is a lowcost, agile trainer that builds individual knowledge and skills while promoting collective rehearsals of route clearance operations.
It uses an interesting 3-step “Crawl, Walk, Run” approach to training. Users “Crawl” through multimedia training materials like videos and manuals, before moving through “Crawl” “Walk” portions where they use video game simulators for virtual test drives of the equipment. Finally, they use “Run” portions of real equipment fitted not with IED sensors, but instead IED simulators showing artificial results to test the operator’s ability to negotiate hazards.
You can get the full details in the JIEDDO press release here (Download PDF, View Online).
Update 3/7/2011 – Fixed the “Walk” portion, as pointed out in the comments.
You should really consider the merit of fact-checking before you publish an article. I was a combat engineer conducting route clearance in Iraq from 2007-2008 and there are some serious errors present in your article. Just saying…
hello
i am a soldier in the us army and im also an engineer in a route clearance package. im currently in afghanistan right now and i am also a GPR operator. if i may make a comment or post a suggestion, the gpr is a great piece of equipment is it worked in our terrain. i realize there is still tests to be done on it but i have found it is inaffective in my area in the south. it does not scan through gravel, moon dust, or thicker mud which we have a lot of in the winter/spring season. when i am driving the terrain is very rough and a lot of it is unavoidable. the panels are thin and break easily which if at all possible could be made thicker. when driving faster to keep up with the convoy or when breaking the panels also do not stay in the stowed position they tent to fly forward or backwards, this happens a lot when going through low water crossings or wadies. the gpr is very suceptable to water damage as well. if it could be made more water tight that would benefit us extremely. i understand things will happen and all these variables can not be avoided but there are a few things that i feel could be improved. i would just like to see it made to handle a little more rugged environment, because in all honesty we’re in a desert/mountainous environment and terrain is changing all the time and you can only be so carefull with the equipemt we have.
This system is mounted on a vehicle called a husky not a bulldozer. The Husky has been a part of route clearance operations for a long time and usually fitted with standard mine detection panels (these can be seen mounted under the hull in the picture)and both systems are not usually found on the same vehicle. The Husky/”HDMS” is only one vehicle in a diverse group of specialized vehicles that make up a route clearance patrol.
You should consider equipment by Sensors & Software, very rugged design.
The “walk” portion of the approach is where they use video game simulators for virtual test drives of the equipment.