Development of a YAMUGAG-20 Wireless Exploder for Safe Disposal of Military and Civil Explosives

Ahmed Abdullahi ,Mohammed B Yakubu ,Abdulmajid M Na’inna ,Abdul-Khaliq Mohammed ,P A Uzuazor,U H Goje,A Audu ,I N Gana

doi:10.24018/ejers.2021.6.2.2344

Ahmed Abdullahi , Mohammed B Yakubu + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.24018/ejers.2021.6.2.2344

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Abstract

YAMUGAG-20 Exploder is a Radio Frequency (RF)-based wireless exploder system designed and constructed specially for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to overcome the challenges associated with the existing wired exploders used for the disposal of unserviceable ordnances. The Exploder system has three main parts namely, the master transmitter unit, the master receiver/slave transmitter unit, and the slave receiver unit. Each of these units is made up of transceiver module, microcomputer and power source. The microcomputers were programmed using C and C++ programming language of the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) software. The exploder is portable and easy to operate. For a typical demolition exercise, the operation of the exploder is such that signals are relayed from the master transmitter unit to the master receiver/slave transmitter unit onto the slave receiver unit to initiate an electric detonator leading to the detonation of the unserviceable ordnances. Functionality, range, power consumption, and system reliability tests were conducted on the exploder to establish its performance and efficiency. The results obtained from the tests indicated that the exploder transmitting at a frequency of 2.4GHz performed satisfactorily up to a range of 1000 meters. Therefore, the exploder has the potential of not only meeting the demolition demands of the NAF but can also be applied for other nonmilitary purposes like mining and related activities.

Highlights

In the military, unserviceable ordnances (USO) are those types of ordnances that are usually beyond repairs and their continued storage pose serious threat to lives and properties, the need for their safe demolition
In the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), demolition of USO is usually achieved by detonating the unserviceable ordnances at a demolition site through the use of wired exploders
For Radio Frequency (RF) designs deployed in the field, achievable RF range or wireless coverage is very important, which is impacted by many system design factors [15]

Summary

Introduction

Unserviceable ordnances (USO) are those types of ordnances that are usually beyond repairs and their continued storage pose serious threat to lives and properties, the need for their safe demolition. In the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), demolition of USO is usually achieved by detonating the unserviceable ordnances at a demolition site through the use of wired exploders. The risk associated with fixing this challenge having primed the USO for demolition can be unprecedented considering the fact that it may cost lives. To overcome this challenge, the idea of adopting wireless transmission was suggested. Wireless exploders present opportunities for demolition exercises without the need for physical wire connections between the exploder and the unserviceable stores [3]

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