Company moto: “Don't send a man to do a machine's job”
Introduction:
There are many reasons to write about the MV-4 (use the title above). Primarily, because the MV-4 is the only true combat-proven robotic system in the most rigorous terrain, weather diversity and explosive hazard conditions of Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Chechnya in Russia. Secondly, due to the fact it is the most severely tested & evaluated robotic system of this category in the world. Not to forget that it is used both by the US and Russian militaries. Furthermore, the numbers speak for themselves: more than 260 MV-4 systems have been delivered to over 25 countries being successfully used by 15 different militaries. Other clients include different UN Agencies and International organizations, National and International Mine Action Authorities, international NGOs and commercial operators in the HMA. But perhaps the major reason to talk about the MV-4 is caused by its designer and manufacturer – the Croatian private company DOK-ING d.o.o. (Llc) from Zagreb, that constantly looks for its robotic systems’ improvements.
Image 1: Dok-Ing factory in Zagreb, Croatia
The Company:
Dok-ing d.o.o. (Llc) was established in Croatia during November 1991 by its founder and chief constructor Eng. Vjekoslav Majetic. It is 100% privately-owned company with its head office in Zagreb. While all in-house R&D and final assembling and testing of all DOK-ING Robotic systems is done in Zagreb, there is also another production facility located in the Town of Slunj, which is about 100 km south-east of the major office. DOK-ING also keeps operational two branch offices in the USA and South Africa.
From the beginning DOK-ING has been dedicated to integrating its own innovations with new technology in the sphere of special-purpose robotic systems with just one goal in mind: to protect human lives in some of the most dangerous and demanding environments, such as demining, C-IED, fire-fighting and rescue as well as underground mining and deep excavation.
DOK-ING serially produces the following systems:
HMA (Humanitarian Mine Action)
- MV-2 Compact EOD Robotic System (Honey Badger)
- MV-4 Multi-Mission EOD Robotic System
- MV-10 Heavy-Duty EOD Robotic System
Disaster Management
- MVF-5 Emergency Response Robotic System
Underground Mining and Deep Excavation
- XLPD (Extra Low-Profile dozer)
The Company is also involved in a number of ongoing R&D Projects with a purpose to come up with absolutely new revolutionary robotic systems, while the currently serially produced MV-4, MV-10, MVF-5 having upgrades and technical improvements to keep up with new challenges in the industry.
MV-4 and MV-4 Scorpion overview
Initially the MV-4 has been originally designed and built-up for humanitarian demining. The designers took advantage of their previous experience with the MV-1, MV-2 and MV-3 mine clearance systems along with vast field experience from variety of mine clearance projects. All of this knowledge has been incorporated into the MV-4. From 2004 till today the MV-4 system has been complemented with a number of extra operational replaceable attachments both front and rear with the purpose not only to improve the MV-4’s performance, but also to provide it with a true multi-functionality in different scenarios. This how the MV-4 Scorpion Version appeared.
Features
The current MV-4 is the Multi-Mission EOD Robotic System enable to operate in different high-risk environments from HMA and C-IED to CBRNe and Crisis management.
Subject to operational environment, the following MV-4 tools are available as attachments:
- Flail
- Tiller
- Segmented Roller
- Rotational Gripper
- Dozer Blade
- Rear Shovel
- Rear Forklift
- EOD Robotic Arm
This complex needs to be analyzed step by step.
Image 2:MV-4 demining machine
Protection
The MV-4 Prime Mover structure is well protected by HARDOX-450 steel plates from 6 up to 20 mm thick depends on area of protection. There are 2 x types of flail hammers currently used by the MV-4: for light category terrain made of high-grade resistance steel and for harder ground produced from HARDOX-450. Both are able to resist mine blasts. Various organizations confirm survivability of the MV-4 fitted with either flail or tiller tools on AT mines and UXO/IED with similar quantity of explosive. The results have also been supported by test reports done at CTRO, Croatia and the Swedish EOD and Demining Centre (SWEDEC), in accordance with the CWA 15044:2009.
Engine
MV-4 is powered by Perkins 1106 C-E70 TA modified 6-cylinder water cooled, turbo-charged diesel engine. The engine delivers a rated power of 186kW. The fuel tank has a 70-liter capacity and the hydraulic oil capacity is 200l. Fuel consumption varies from 7-10 liters/hour with dozer blade and rotational gripper up to 15-20 liters while operating MV-4 with flail or tiller depending on type of terrain, soil cohesion and vegetation density.
Mobility
The original design of the MV-4 in combination with compact dimensions, strong engine power and low ground print (0.43kg/cm2 with std. flail) allow MV-4 to pass over most unapproachable and difficult terrain. The system machine boasts a hill climb ability of 35° up and down, and side slopes of up to 20°. It can drive through water at the depth of 45cm and overcome both natural and man-made obstacles cross trenches 150cm wide by applying extension of its hydraulic arm for extra 69 cm. Same tactics can be used for climbing over and descending from 120 cm high objects and perform self-recovery.
One of many advantages of MV-4 is that it can work very near to obstacles such as buildings and other structures. It can get as close as 25 cm to a wall when travelling in parallel, and work in confined spaces, as close as 75 cm to a vertical overhang or ceiling.
Transport speed is 0-5km/h, and operational speed is 0.5-1,26km/h, depending on ground conditions.
The system can be easily transported by a truck, in 20” std. sea container or via helicopter (see picture above), tactical air transport or parachute deployment.
Image 3: MV-4 system with different tools options
Tools:
Mine clearance system
The flail unit is used as a standard tool for mine clearance tasks. The unit can be rotated both clockwise and counter-clockwise at up to 900rpm. It achieves a ground penetration depth of 240mm to 320mm based on soil conditions (according CTRO testing). The flail’s 34 chains and hammers are easily replaced, if damaged by explosions or naturally worn. The MV-4 has the mine clearance capacity of between 944 and 2184 m² per hour depending on terrain conditions and mine threat scenario. The MV-4 with a standard flail can be utilized in a number of scenarios: as the Mine Clearance Machine (MCM) to detonate hazards or as the Mechanical Ground Preparation Equipment (MGPE) to improve efficiency of mine clearance operations by reducing or removing obstacles: vegetation cutting and clearing, removal of tripwires, loosening of soil, removal of metal contamination, debris, boulders, rubble, others.
The tiller unit is another solution for both mine clearance and mechanical ground preparation. The tiller has 58 specially designed steel teeth levers with claws made of special steel which can break up or detonate AP mines up to a depth of 250mm. The tiller is also extremely useful for operating in dense bushes and young trees effectively cutting them as well as operating in desert and semi-desert conditions without creating dusty environment and thus provide better visibility to the MV-4 operator-mechanic over the system.
The segmented roller unit can be used for different mine-related tasks and missions, such as route clearance, area reduction or area proofing, with less disturbance to soil. The roller unit is mounted on the front of the MV-4 Prime Mover and consists of 12 roller segments which cover a total width of 2070mm. This tool is particularly effective in support of military on foot patrols to secure higher level of personnel safety.
The Rotational Gripper
Exchangeable tool for safety lifting and moving of dangerous devices, cars and obstacles, cutting barbed wire, concertina, 1 cm thick metal rods, or breaching walls of light construction. Provides armored dozer blade capability to clear roadblocks. The gripper can be used for runway clearing immediately after attack. It’s maximum lifting capacity is up to 1500 kg. It is also fitted with video camera with optical zoom.
MV-4 for C-IED application
New threats & challenges around the globe require new tools new technical solutions to be developed. To recognize it, DOK-ING has been extensively working towards upgrading its MV-4. They have developed the MV-4 Scorpion, merging previous features together and augmenting with C-IED features. This model of the MV-4 is a good combination of the front positioned Rotational Gripper and Rear EOD Robotic Arm. This version is fitted with well thought through and highly comprehensive Video Camera System (VDS) consisting of 9 x different video cameras. VDS allows the MV-4 operator-mechanic to observe its position and operation in PiP (Picture in Picture) Mode, selecting from 1 up to 4 cameras at the same time.
Fully remote controlled and video operated, the new MV-4 Scorpion EOD Robotic Arm is fitted with an integrated Maxi weapon carrier with 2 x 40 mm recoilless and stand-off disrupters, which currently enable the system to destroy/neutralize various UXOs and IEDs from safe distances of up to 30 m using various solid and frangible projectiles.
The major tech. specs of the Arm are provided below:
- Hydraulic arm with manipulator (armed with disrupter) – 1715 kg
- MV-4-based rotational platform - 360°
- Opening of manipulator jaws – up to 124 cm
- Lifting capacity at a full length - 400 kg
- Max length of hydraulic arm - 5,4 m
- Max operational height above ground - 6,8 m
- Max depth to operate with load below ground – 3 m
- Stabilizer Arm – 2 pcs
- Video Camera System - 4 high-resolution video cameras & additional light
- Remote Control – up to 1500 m on with Line of Sight (LOS)
- Easy replacement of Manipulator by Interrogation Bucket with 0.3 m width and 0.06 m3 capacity
- Metal rack for transporting, storing or replacing the EOD Robotic Arm in field conditions (available upon request)
- Extra protection system, including the major elements:
- Safety sensor for overloading;
- Hydraulic safety valves.
The system features calibratable aiming retacles, laser range finder which are interfaced with the MV-4 Scorpion Robotic System Macro OCU (Operator Control Unit). The system is able to carry two Vulkan Maxi De Armer Disrupters.
Robotic Arm w/Manipulator/ Grappler
For sure, The EOD Robotic Arm fi
tted with VDS & integrated disruptor is one of the main advantages of C-IED application of the MV-4. It provides possibility to conduct situation awareness 24/7, observe and identify potential threat, dig, investigate, move or even neutralize IED from a distance.
The EOD Robotic Arm can safely lift and move objects of up to 400 kg at its full extension.
All of the said features drastically reduce possible impact on System operators. DOK-ING continues its work to develop new tools or integrate the best COTS products available within the EOD/C-IEDD community.
For sure, The EOD Robotic Arm fitted with VDS & integrated disruptor is one of the main advantages of C-IED application of the MV-4. It provides possibility to conduct situation awareness 24/7, observe and identify potential threat, dig, investigate, move or even neutralize IED from a distance.
The EOD Robotic Arm can safely lift and move objects of up to 400 kg at its full extension.
All of the said features drastically reduce possible impact on System operators. DOK-ING continues its work to develop new tools or integrate the best COTS products available within the EOD/C-IEDD community.
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Image 4: C IED Disruptor on MV-4 Robotic arm
Versions of MV-4:
M160 US Army Robotic System
M160 is an improved version of the Commercial Off-The-Shelf DOK-ING MV-4 Mechanical Anti-Personnel Mine Clearing System. It is designed to provide line-of-sight operations.
Image 5: M160 (MV-4 version for US Army)
URAN 6
The Uran-6 is the Russian version of the MV-4. This System is manufactured by JSC 766 UPTK for the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Uran-6 has been taking active part in the mine clearing operations conducted by the combat engineers of the Southern Military District of the Russian MOD in Chechnya and Ingushetia in April 2016 as well as in mine clearance of Palmyra and Aleppo, Syrian Arabic Republic during 2017-2019.
Image 6: URAN 6 during testing phase
