Posted 02.18.2010 at 4:50 pm
8 Comments
This Python Goes Boom: courtesy of British Ministry of Defense
Basically a bangalore torpedo on steroids, the Python is a 500 meter tube of explosives tethered to a rocket on one end, and an armored truck on the other. The rocket casts the Python across a dangerous stretch of ground like a fishing line. When the snake goes boom, any mines, traps, or IEDs nearby go boom with it. The result? A clear path for a third of a mile.
“We are clearing this belt of death so that civilians and their families can begin to live without fear of being blown to pieces by a cowardly and dishonorable enemy that is happy to kill indiscriminately,” said Lt Col Matt Bazeley, CO of 28 Engineering Regiment, who oversaw the use of Python during Operation Moshtarak in Afhganistan.
But don't take his word for it. Here's a video, courtesy of the Ministry of Defense, showing the Python going to work:
[Ministry of Defense via Gizmodo]
8 Comments
To comment, please Login.
Popular Tags
Technology
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 2013: American Energy Independence
Five amazing, clean technologies that will set us free, in this month's energy-focused issue. Also: how to build a better bomb detector, the robotic toys that are raising your children, a human catapult, the world's smallest arcade, and much more.
Popular on Popsci
Most Commented
Technology
- This Newer, Stronger 3-D Printed Gun Costs Just $25
- Thieves Stole $45 Million From ATMs Because The U.S. Uses Absurd 40-Year-Old Technology
- Autonomous X-47B Jet Fighter Makes Historic First Launch From An Aircraft Carrier
- Russia Is Building Robots To 'Neutralize' Terrorists
- How To Turn An AK-47 Into A Soup Ladle
- America's Road To Energy Independence, Part 1
- Mapping The Simpsons' Slow Descent Into Suckitude
- Iran Unveils Absurd New Stealth Drone
- High School Student Wins Hackathon With A Tool That Blocks TV Spoilers
- 7 Reasons Why 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Is A Beginner's Guide To Star Trek [Spoiler Alert]
Most Emailed
Technology
- The World's Most Expensive Weapon Just Got A Little Cheaper
- Will Google (And The US Government) Permit Google Glass To Recognize Faces On Sight?
- Big Pic: Hubble Space Telescope Captures The Ring Nebula In Astonishing Detail
- Robotic Kite Power Could Turn The Sky Into A Wind Farm
- 11 Robot Bartenders That Will Get You Drunk
- These 11 Robot Bartenders Will Get You Drunk
- Brazilian Government Invests In Robocops To Prep For World Cup, Olympics
- The BBC's New Radio Can Alter Broadcasts Based On Who's Listening
- Social Media Replaces Police Missing Persons Searches In France
- New Water-Repellant Fabric Is Like A Second Skin
Most Viewed
Technology
- The World's Most Expensive Weapon Just Got A Little Cheaper
- Will Google (And The US Government) Permit Google Glass To Recognize Faces On Sight?
- Big Pic: Hubble Space Telescope Captures The Ring Nebula In Astonishing Detail
- Robotic Kite Power Could Turn The Sky Into A Wind Farm
- 11 Robot Bartenders That Will Get You Drunk
- These 11 Robot Bartenders Will Get You Drunk
- Brazilian Government Invests In Robocops To Prep For World Cup, Olympics
- The BBC's New Radio Can Alter Broadcasts Based On Who's Listening
- Social Media Replaces Police Missing Persons Searches In France
- New Water-Repellant Fabric Is Like A Second Skin
Online Content Director: Suzanne LaBarre | Email
Senior Editor: Paul Adams | Email
Associate Editor: Dan Nosowitz | Email
Assistant Editor: Colin Lecher | Email
Assistant Editor: Rose Pastore | Email
Contributing Writers:
Kelsey D. Atherton | Email
Francie Diep | Email
Shaunacy Ferro | Email
Today on PopSci.com
Copyright © 2012 Popular Science
A Bonnier Corporation Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
I wonder how it would be for urban renewal?
This is not a new idea. How is this significantly different than the US Army's M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge (MICLIC)? This has been around for many years. It might be longer, but not different. I've personnaly fired a MICLIC. The explosion is incredible!!!
they never said it was a new idea, just a new system. besides, a 500m explosion like that is pretty impressive.
Basically this is 21st Century mine warfare. If you think about it, an IED is nothing more than a low tech improvised version of a mine. What makes them different is that they don't look like traditional explosives.
"Welcome! to the Federation Starship SS Buttcrack!!!"
British Army? Mountains? Python? Nudge-nudge... wink-wink...
Must have been pretty sweet to fire that Beaker!
Finallyt some immaginative solution to IED. How aout use of advanced mini acoustic sensor transmittera to catch the culprita laying out the ied.
Also why not tiny toy size drones and bee size sensors to locate and to harras enemy in near combat situations.
Wasn't there also a smaller rocket fired chain ordnance called Rattlesnake? Detcord with intermittent charges on a delivery system similar to a T.O.W. wire guided system? I go check.