Engineering firm works on robot mine sweeper

NORTH East defence specialist Pearson Engineering has helped to develop a robot mine sweeper that is now being trialled by the British Army to clear explosives on the front lines.

- COREENA FORD

The Newcastle company, based in the famous Armstrong Works, has worked with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to create Weevil, a device it is hoped will replace current mine-clearing methods that included Trojan armoured vehicles, which require a three-person team to operate in hazardous areas.

The robot mine sweeper is said to be able to clear minefields quicker and safer than present capabilities, reducing risk to soldiers on the front line and it can be operated via remote control by just one person from several miles away.