An apparatus for mine avoidance that enables a battle group commander to
rapidly detect, classify, and identify mines, and form a tactical picture
of mined areas. The system is enabled by a graphical user interface which
generates a display of the minefield and an avoidance path which is
calculated by a rapidly-explored random trees algorithm interacting with
algorithms defining avoidance object spaces inserted by an operator in
two or three dimensions and transit vehicle characteristics. The
apparatus enables a method which establishes the parameters of an area
representing a minefield. The area is then populated with obstacle spaces
whose areas are functions of the probability of the existence of a mine
and through which an avoidance route through the minefield may not pass.
The start and end points of the avoidance route are entered on a graphic
display of the minefield and an avoidance path there between is
calculated and presented as an avoidance route.