The Van Trepan™ is a lightweight plastic charge designed with precision to utilise either 11g or 22g of 10g/m (50 grain/ft) detonating cord. It provides a reliable means of cutting a circular hole in a vehicle's side, door, or roof, enabling inspection of the contents and insertion of a disruption charge, such as Bottler™, if necessary. The Van Trepan™ is not just a tool for gaining entry to a sealed vehicle; it's a versatile solution that can also create access holes for equipment and weapons. The Van Trepan™ can be held in position using a prop stick, a tool that provides stability and control during the operation; Breacher's Tape™, a high-performance adhesive tape that ensures the Van Trepan™ stays in place, HydroTape™, for sticking charges to dirty and damp/wet surfaces or a combination of these, depending on the specific requirements of your operation.
Low NEQ water-tamped charge
Enables the defeat of LBVB IEDs
Enables remote observation of cargo vehicle interior
Can be deployed by ROV or semi-remotely by an EOD operator
Videos
Explosive Load and Performance
Van Trepan™ has an incomplete loop as an explosive channel,
which cuts around 9/10 of a circle, leaving the remaining 1/10 as a hinge. When fired, the metal cut-out disc swings on the hinge and then rips off, significantly slowing down the metal fragment and ensuring it projects to one side. This reduces the risk of the severed disc striking the IED and causing an inadvertent detonation.
The charge case is made from a circular plastic moulding with a circular
groove on the target-contact surface, designed to receive one or two loops of detonating cord with a load of ~10g/metre.
Deployment to Target
Van Trepan™ can be stuck to a target using Alford Technologies’ Breacher’s Tape™ or HydroTape™.
The tape can be used to secure the charge to the surface so that the robot can place the charge and then retreat, leaving the charge in place. Magnets can also be added to the charge if needed.
Specifications
| Diameter | 300mm |
| Height | 23mm |
| Weight when empty | 400g |
| Weight when filled | 930g |
| Water capacity | 530ml |
| NEQ | 11g single loop 10g/m detcord; 22g double loop 10g/m detcord |
| NSN | 1375-99-253-4558 |
