Python minefield breaching system

{{Short description|British Army vehicle}}

The Python minefield breaching system is used by the British Army to clear minefields. It replaces the Giant Viper, and has the ability to clear a safe lane in minefields 180–200 m long and 7.3 m wide through which vehicles can pass.

File:AVRE Carrying Fascine MOD 45149255.jpg carrying fascines and towing Python on Salisbury Plain. The AVRE is fitted with a mine plough, used when time permits, to safely move out of the way any mines missed by Python]]

The system works by firing a single rocket from a launcher mounted on a 136 kilogramme trailer which has to be towed to the edge of the mined area. Attached to the rocket motor 250 mm L9 53 kg is a 228 m long hose packed with 1455 kg of pe6/al explosive. After the hose lands on the ground it detonates and destroys over 90% of mines along its entire length. The 10% that are not destroyed are simply pushed aside to safety. It can be used in tandem to defeat double impulse mines or mines of greater depth. It also contains a 9 kg high explosive substitute at the end with a .9 kg booster of pe4.{{cite web| accessdate= 2010-02-07| publisher= Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)| title= Python Minefield Breaching System| url= http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/engineering/1498.aspx| url-status= dead| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100210173615/http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/engineering/1498.aspx| archivedate= 2010-02-10}}

Python has been used operationally with the Trojan AVRE in Afghanistan.{{citation | url = http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/RoyalEngineersBlastThroughTalibanIedFieldWithNewWeapon.htm | publisher = MoD | place = UK | title = Royal Engineers blast through Taliban IED field with new weapon}}. During Operation Moshtarak the Royal Engineers attempted to use this traditional mine clearance equipment in the Counter-IED role in support of a major British Army advance.{{citation | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8523490.stm | title = Trojan used for IED clearance | publisher = BBC | place = UK | date=19 February 2010}}.