Vehicle blast testing at Munitions Experimental Test Centre Valcartier
Video / June 2, 2025
Transcript
My name is Dave Michaud, and I am an engineer at the Munitions Experimental Test Centre, commonly known as METC. I specialize in armoured vehicle protection evaluation.
The mandate of METC is to carry out tests and evaluations as well as failure analyses in the field of armament, ammunition, explosives and protection systems in support of the equipment acquisition programs of the Materiel Group and the research and development activities of the Valcartier Research Centre.
The platform under evaluation is the Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV). It is a wheeled armoured fleet with improved mobility and protection.
METC supports the ACSV qualification programme by conducting protection assessments against the threat of vehicular mines, using NATO standard procedures. In other words, it consists of detonating a charge at a specific location, under the vehicle, usually a potential point of vulnerability to assess the survivability of the occupants.
In the case of the ACSV, the scope of the qualification program was set at four tests.
So, four weeks before the detonation, we took delivery of the vehicle, then we started the actual instrumentation phase.
In addition to the dummy that was placed in the driver's seat in a representative position, several sensors and high-speed cameras were methodically installed at strategic locations inside and outside the vehicle to record the effects of the blast on the structure and to accurately reconstruct the sequence of events following the detonation.
So, on D-Day, the day of the detonation, we start with a check of the instrumentation followed by a complete documentation of all the important parameters.
We make sure to clean up really well, make sure we haven't forgotten any bolts, tools on the floor or elsewhere in the vehicle. Obviously, these things would be projected and could hit one of the mannequins, obstruct the cameras' field of vision. We only have one chance, so everything has to be perfect.
Then comes the time to place the explosive charge. Then, at that time, only the absolutely required personnel remain on the pad. The others will be gathered in the bunker.
So, once we have confirmation that all the instrumentation systems are armed, it is the test director who has the responsibility or the honour, I should say, to count down and press the button on the detonation box.
Firing system armed.
As a former armoured vehicle commander, the work I do is of particular importance, very rewarding. I am lucky to work with fantastic, professional, dedicated people. It is a real pleasure to have the opportunity to contribute collectively to the effort of protecting our troops.