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Preliminary analysis has shown that accurate mine simulants are not available for metallic and non-metallic mine detectors; there is a need for a precise mine simulant. This paper contains the methodology for the development of a fuze simulant to replace the fuze in a real mine. Conclusions shall discuss the feasibility of an accurate fuze simulant. Mine detectors have been proven worthy by testing its capability to detect simulants or real mines without the fuze. Different detectors perceive changes in different properties of the mine; unfortunately, one simulant which reflects every property of the mine is not available. Another approach is to bury real mines, but for safety concerns, bury the mine without the fuze. This target still does not represent a real mine, especially for a metal detector. Many non-metallic mines contain a considerably quantity of metal in the fuze in comparison to the rest of the body of the mine; therefore, the absence of the fuze results in the absence of a significant amount of metal. The NVESD Countermine Division with the Energetic Materials Research Test Center of Socorro, NM, is developing a fuze simulant which more accurately represents the quantity of metal in a real time. They are investigating the contents of the fuze; this will be followed by fabrication and testing using infrared, ground penetrating radar, and metal detectors. The paper contains the methodology for the development of the fuze and discussions with respect to the benefits to mine detection.
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