Landward Sciences

What we do

Landward sciences

Our work enhances the effectiveness and safety of soldiers, police officers and security personnel during operations and deployments. Our key areas of expertise include firepower (such as detonics and explosives), tactical mobility, vehicle and crew survivability and the rapid development of customised operational solutions. We deliver science, engineering and technology solutions, along with testing, measurement and evaluation services that meet local and international standards. In addition, we offer advisory and decision-support services.

Landward sciences

What’s new?

Bringing protective firepower to troop carriers

The CSIR has developed a turret that can be installed on an existing armoured personnel carrier to accommodate a firing crew and a variety of weapons. Mounted on the roof of the vehicle, the turret provides a 360° arc of fire and protects the gunner from small arms fire. It is lightweight, avoiding the addition of unnecessary weight to the vehicle.

Vehicle adaptation enhances patrol fleet for border safeguarding

The CSIR repurposed a fleet of commercially available vehicles into field ambulances, mobile command and control stations, logistical modules and troop carriers to provide the South African National Defence Force with a tactical mobility capability that is robust, easy to maintain and cost-effective. Novel alterations include roll-over safety frames, designs to accommodate additional water and fuel reserves, additional recovery capability and power management systems.

VSurrogate leg helps research into effects of anti-personnel mine explosions

A CSIR-developed surrogate lower leg fitted with sensors is used to determine the effects of anti-personnel landmine explosions on the human body. The sensors measure damage to tissue and bone in the leg and can also indicate the potential level of amputation that may be required. Additionally, they measure the time it takes for the shockwave to reach specific points along the surrogate tibia bone. This information on shockwave velocity helps identify areas where maximum protection is required. Further research will support the development of footwear capable of detecting a possible explosion and countering its effects in real time.

Our Research

CApplied detonics, ballistics and explosives

To counter and protect against ballistic and explosive threats, it is essential to understand the science behind these events. We use specialised modelling and simulation tools, test equipment and techniques to build this understanding. At our detonics, ballistics and explosives laboratory, we conduct experiments using surrogate and improvised devices to capture the impact of blast and ballistics through anthropomorphic test devices, sensors, ultra-high-speed photography and flash radiography.

Tactical mobility

We model, simulate, test and evaluate vehicle dynamics, characterise vehicle subsystems, as well as predict terrain negotiability. Our work includes alternative drivetrains such as hybrid-electric drive, autonomous vehicles and the adaptation of vehicles for alternative purposes, such as ambulances, command centres or troop and firepower carriers. With agility and safety in mind, our designs provide soldiers with relative comfort, ease of handling over off-road, rough terrain, and easy maintenance.

Rapid operational solutions

Working closely with the South African National Defence Force, the South African Police Service and the broader security cluster, we address the operational needs of the dismounted and mounted soldiers, police officers and security personnel. The scope is broad – ranging from protection against threats and elements, to camouflage, defence and security vehicle development and enhancement, power management, situational awareness, firepower enhancement and digital integrated solutions.

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Our facilities

The central figure in blast research

Anthropomorphic test devices – commonly known as ‘crash test dummies’ – are used to simulate human injuries resulting from blast events. Explosions resulting from landmines, improvised explosive devices and home-made explosives cause multidimensional injuries, impairing numerous physiological systems and organs. A rugged, ultra-small internal data acquisition system, or nano-DAS, is positioned precisely where the sensors and area of interest are located and is specifically geared towards landmine impact testing. Previously, these test devices required long and complex cables running from the dummy to external data storage devices. The nano-DAS has a high sampling rate, capable of capturing up to half a million data points per second per channel.

Detonics, ballistics and explosives laboratory for experimentation in ballistics explosive science

The CSIR has developed the infrastructure, data and capabilities to offer world-leading research and development in explosive threat and protection through its Detonics, ballistics and explosives laboratory (DBEL) at Paardefontein, north of Pretoria. DBEL is a nationally unique research facility dedicated to testing, measurement and evaluation of ballistic and explosive events and their effects on personnel, infrastructure, vehicles and the surrounding environment. Over the past 30 years, its specialised facilities, processes and capabilities have been developed, refined and continuously expanded. A considerable body of scientific data and expertise, significantly valuable to the defence and security sector, has been accumulated. The laboratory is licensed to handle explosive events with a net explosive content ranging from less than 100 g up to 50 kg.

Landward Sciences

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