Chubby (mine detection system)

Husky VMMD (Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector) or, as it was previously known, the Chubby system, is part of a mine-removal system developed by DCD-Dorbyl Rolling Stock Division which are based on the East Rand in Gauteng, South Africa.

The system was developed in the 1970s for the South African Defence Force to clear military convoy routes of mines in Namibia and Angola. The VMMD system consists of two Husky vehicles. The first one acts as a Mine Detection Vehicle (MDV). In the past this vehicle was called a Meerkat and wasn't a 4x4. The second Husky in the system tows a set of three Duisendpoots and is known as a towing /mine detection vehicle (T/MDV) The latest version of the Husky, the 2G, has high sensitivity low metal content detectors, ground penetrating radar, powerful air blowers and a robotic arm. This extra equipment has caused the design of Husky to evolve to take a second crew member. The Husky 2G was voted one of the US Army's Top 10 most innovative advances in Army technology.

Duisendpoot

The Duisendpoot is a mine-detonating trailer set (MDT). It will detonate any mines not detected by the Meerkat and Husky.

Production history

Variants

• Husky Mk I
• Husky Mk II
• Husky Mk III
• Husky 2G (2nd Generation) – 2 crew version

Operators

More than 400 VMMD systems are in service worldwide both in military and civilian service, including the 644 Husky vehicles operated by the US and Canadian armed forces alone.

• 3
• 6 - by the Canadian Forces for the Husky unit only for deployment in Afghanistan; 2 in operations
• 5 - by the French Army
• 2 - in 1995 by the Uganda People's Defence Force
• 3 - by the British Army in Croatia (IFOR)
• - US Army 128 VMMD systems and US Marines; Used in the Middle East and Bosnia (IFOR). Primarily used by Combat Engineers.
• - Spanish Army 6 - announced in 2012 for deployment in Afghanistan
• 4 - Turkish Army

Italy, Kenya, Germany, Yemen, India, and Pakistan have expressed interest.

References

• Critical Solutions International
• Engineers look for trouble on Kandahar roads
• Soldier Armed magazine article
• Spain buys 6 Husky 2G for deployment in Afghanistan