FUEL AIR EXPLOSIVE?
It
is indeed a minefield breaching system, called "Carpet," currently
in use by the Israeli army and will be fielded with the French army
next year. Not much imagination as to the name and its
function: the armored vehicle that is the weapon platform can fire
up to 20 rockets in a rapid squence for minefield breaching. The
force of the FAE blast clears nearly all mines, regardless of
terrain, foliage or man-made obstacles.
Carpet rockets contain only liquid fuel which is flammable but not
explosive in regular operating conditions. Therefore, if Carpet
rockets are hit in their canisters, they do not cause any danger to
the system, vehicle or nearby troops.
Fully loaded, the Carpet launcher weighs only 3.5 tons. It can
carry up to 20 x 265 mm rockets, each weighing 46 kg.
27 JULY 2006,
www.defensetech.org/archives/002614.html
