Minator System from Austria presents a universal trip unit for a time or radio-controlled initiator for military applications under operational conditions.
For conducting military demolition operations, complete control over the initiation of a demolition and ease of use is very important. Minator's inherent built-in security makes it suitable for any military explosives application, the company says. Minator was designed as a single-use military device for special forces and engineers. Decisive for the entire design is the simple, uncomplicated and nevertheless safe operation of the device in combat as well as the compact and light construction, which allows the use in operational use.
There are two versions, a live one for use and a second, similar to a blue gun, for education and training. Operation is identical, but intended for multiple use and with an output in the form of a different signal, such as an LED.
Intended for use with Groups I through III detonators, the Minator can be remotely triggered by radio over a line-of-sight range of up to 1km, or timed with the countdown set by the Minator Security TAG. The security TAG uses NFC technology to transmit the triggering parameters (radio or time, security time, triggering time) to the hardware. The TAG is a small plastic disc that can be pre-programmed by the user. By using the TAG, the user no longer has to make any settings on the device during use. The TAG then transmits the information to the hardware, and the user receives feedback on successful implementation.
In time-trigger mode, the Minator can operate in up to 30m water depth. The Minator system consists of the trip unit (TRCI), which can be used as a time and radio trigger unit, and the RCC (Radio Control Commander) radio trigger unit, which have been designed in accordance with the standards MIL-STD-810F, MIL-STD-461E, MIL -STD-331C, MIL-STD-1316, STANAG-4187, STANAG-4157 developed.
In order to guarantee the highest possible protection for users, an arming delay with an adjustable timer (1 to 15 minutes ±5 percent) and double security hardware was installed. Optical and tactile (vibration) signals on the device are used as feedback. The ignition capacitors are shorted until just before the ignition sequence, and the device also has a separate trigger and safety switch. The signal to be transmitted is encrypted and thus guarantees full control.
The TRCI can be used in a temperature range from -46°C to +71°C, is waterproof to a depth of 30 m and weighs around 150 grams.
André Forkert