In 2018 METIS Aerospace collaborated on the Mine and IED Detection Augmented by Satellite (MIDAS) Programme, a European Space Agency programme to test and evaluate a work package that demonstrated the feasibility of mounting a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Mine Detection System on a DJI M600 as part of a Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) solution.
Again working as part of a specialist consortia, METIS expended significant R&D resource to develop MINEHUNTER into a workable solution. The METIS team re-developed a DJI M600 Hexacopter, equipping it with height control equipment and a LIDAR sensor (for collision/obstacle avoidance), before integrating it with the GPR. Bespoke software was developed in-house by METIS to deliver the required operational performance.
The system was successfully demonstrated to the MoD in November 2018 at their Army War-fighter Experiment Trials.