There are two basic ways to clear a field of deadly landmines. You can tiptoe around poking and prodding for them, then dig them up while trying to avoid setting them off, or you can go around pounding the dirt trying to trigger them deliberately. The Digger D-3 uses this second method, unleashing its own form of whoopass on anything that dares to get in its way.
The remote controlled Digger crawls around a minefield with its flail hammers pounding the ground ahead as it goes. The ten pound hammers spin wildly on the bar, digging up to 8 inches into the dirt as they strike. Heavy armor protects the tank if a mine explodes, and any damage to the hammers or chains is easily repaired in the field.
This isn't a new idea. The British developed the first flail tanks during World War II, but the D-3 is the latest and greatest development of the concept.
The video actually shows the older Digger D-2 in action, but it gives a pretty good impression of how these minesweeping tanks work.
Digger DTR, via PopSci
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