Foster-Miller has developed a remotely operated Trail Flail for neutralizing anti-personnel mines for use by indigenous populations in low intensity conflict environments. The program was performed under contract to the U.S. Army, Fort Belvoir.  The program focused on neutralizing anti-personnel mines and booby traps set on narrow mountainous foot paths or side roads without causing damage to the thoroughfare.

A number of design constraints were imposed on the Trail Flail’s special mission. First, the system had to operate in mountainous, unimproved terrain no greater than 27-in. wide. Second, the design had to permit complete assembly and disassembly of the system with no tools into modules that individually weighed no more than 150 lb. Third, all components had to be off the shelf, including the radio control for simple in-field repairs, yet could not include any hydraulics, aluminum or composite materials.

A prototype system was built and tested. It offers remote steering via radio or tether control. The all-mechanical transmission has a continuously variable speed  control for easy, smooth steering. The system incorporates a unique free-floating flail which provides 100 percent ground coverage and has been tested against 1 lb TNT direct and 2.1-lb. fragmentation charges (claymore). Testing has included water, wooded, rock, and field environments with a demonstrated gradability of 50 and 30 percent side slopes. As presently configured, the Trail Flail can ford a 2-ft x 1-ft ditch and 2-ft deep water obstacles.  The system is comprised of 15 modules which can be assembled by two men using a hammer and a pry bar. 

The real innovation besides the unique undercarriage is in the neutralization system. The flail is unlike any other and is balanced to float in pith and roll independently of the propulsion vehicle, thereby resulting in very high coverage rates. The chains have been “tuned” to slap the ground over a fixed length to achieve high and redundant coverage  rates for the smallest of mine fuses. The floating feature reduces ground damage to heavily trafficked trails and farmers’ fields, uses less energy and creates minimal dust or debris.  While not obvious to untrained eye, our flail works on entirely different principles than digging flails.

Since the original Trail Flail was built, the severe design constraints have been relaxed, and the U.S. Army has built several units based on our design. 

Foster-Miller is ready to produce either the neutralization head or the entire system at short notice. We still have the original design team and engineering drawings. Modifications to the design to suit application-specific needs are well within our capabilities.

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