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LONDON (AFP) - Virgin boss Richard Branson unveiled plans to put into operation mine-seeking airships to help clear landmines in former war zones.
Branson has teamed up with British Defense Ministry scientists to deploy airships equipped with groundbreaking radar equipment that can detect millions of mines strewn across countries such as Mozambique, Angola and in the Balkans.
Scientists at Britain's Defense Evaluation and Research Agency have developed the radar technology that will be attached to Branson's fleet of 14 airships with the first trials having taken place in Britain this past January.
Worldwide, mines kill or maim about 500 people a week and more than 70 million mines are believed to litter former war zones across the globe. United Nations data shows around 64 countries are affected.
The airships are designed to map mined areas and can operate at the rate of 100 square meters (yards) per second, thousands of times faster than the manual searches currently being used.
"Landmines are the scourge of the modern world, but we now have a real chance to make a difference," Branson said. He said Virgin had funded the technology so far, but the team was now seeking large commercial sponsors to help foot the bill for its further development, expected to run into millions of dollars.
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