ERA Technology has been awarded a £1.3million contract by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). Over the next two years, ERA will develop and trial innovative hand-held mine detectors for worldwide, humanitarian landmine clearance operations.

The ERA detector combines advanced ground-penetrating radar with metal detection technology in a lightweight, hand-held product. The detector is designed specifically to reduce the instances of false alarm and improve the detection of minimum-metal ‘plastic’ mines.

The current cost of clearing landmines averages £1million per square kilometre because of the high number of false alarms generated by existing mine detection equipment. Better detection technology will enable nearly 33% more land to be cleared within existing budgets.

DFID is the UK Government Department responsible for promoting sustainable development and reducing world poverty. The Department actively supports action to help solve the worldwide landmine problem and is working to put better equipment into the hands of the deminers.

About ERA Technology

ERA Technology works at the leading edge of many advanced technologies. The business was founded in 1920 and today provides specialist, high value added, technology-based services including design and development, testing, assessment and expert advice.

ERA Technology has been at the leading edge in the development of mine detection technology, from bomb location in World War II to the latest array-based GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) systems capable of detecting modern plastic mines. ERA Technology was the first UK organisation to investigate the application of ground penetrating radar techniques to the detection of buried minimum metal Anti-Tank (AT) and Anti-Personnel (AP) mines.

ERA Technology is a Chelton Group company, part of Cobham plc.

Address: Cleeve Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7SA, UK
Business contact: Dr David Daniels +44 (0) 1372 367084
Press contact: Mr Neil Gardner +44 (0) 1372 367076
Website: www.era.co.uk
Email: info@era.co.uk

About The Department for International Development

The Department for International Development (DFID) is the UK Government department responsible for promoting sustainable development and reducing poverty. The central focus of the Government’s policy, based on the 1997 and 2000 White Papers on International Development, is a commitment to the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals, to be achieved by 2015.

DFID’s assistance is concentrated in the poorest countries of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, but also contributes to poverty reduction and sustainable development in middle-income countries, including those in Latin America and Eastern Europe.

DFID works in partnership with governments committed to the Millennium Development Goals, with civil society, the private sector and the research community. It also works with multilateral institutions, including the World Bank, United Nations agencies and high commissions around the world.

Address: 1 Palace Street, London, SW15 5HE, UK
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7023 0000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7023 0019
Public Enquiry Point: 0845 300 4100
Website: www.dfid.gov.uk
Email: enquiry@dfid.gov.uk