French Armed Forces Displays SDZ Demining System at Eurosatory 2024.

At Eurosatory 2024, the leading international defense and security exhibition, the French Ministry of Armed Forces presented the vehicle from the French company CEFA, unveiling its latest innovation in mine and IED clearance technology, the SDZ (Zone Demining System). This advanced machine addresses a critical need in both military and civilian sectors for safe and efficient demining operations.
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The versatility of the SDZ is further demonstrated by its toolkit options, which include an auger, backhoe, bucket, segregator bucket, dozer blade, and flail. (Picture source: ArmyRecognition)

The SDZ is a powerful and versatile machine designed to clear extensive areas contaminated with explosives or to rapidly create safe lanes. It is built to withstand anti-tank mines and is equipped with various tools, including a bucket, auger, grab, and fork. The machine’s remote control capability ensures operator safety by allowing control from armored or other vehicles, supplemented with cameras and a GPS system for precise operations.

The SDZ offers impressive technical specifications, providing a mine clearance depth of up to 30 cm and a width of 2.10 meters, achieving a minimum clearance performance of 500 square meters per hour. This efficiency is enhanced by its ability to handle various explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) tasks, such as moving, removing, and destroying explosive devices, as well as constructing protective structures to mitigate blast effects. The versatility of the SDZ is further demonstrated by its toolkit options, which include an auger, backhoe, bucket, segregator bucket, dozer blade, and flail.

The machine’s dimensions and driving specifications reveal a robust design: an overall length of 5.90 meters with tiller, a width of 2.85 meters, and a total mass of 12,000 kg. It features steel and rubber tracks, a ground clearance of 479 mm, and a maximum speed of 10 km/h. Its advanced technology engine, a Deutz model, provides a maximum power of 250 CV, ensuring low consumption and maintenance.

Certified to the highest standards, including ISO 9001-2015, ISO 3834-2, EN 1090 EXC 4, and AQAP 2110 D, CEFA demonstrates its commitment to quality and excellence in the fields of defense and pressure vessels. The SDZ is also highly transportable, capable of being airlifted by A400M or C17 aircraft and transportable on loading platforms.

The introduction of the SDZ by the French Army and CEFA at Eurosatory 2024 marks a significant advancement in demining technology. The company, based in Soultz-sous-Forêts, France, continues to provide innovative solutions for safe and efficient demining operations worldwide.