Dragon MK8 Lance

MAT Kosovo has been involved in Research & Development (R&D) and Test & Evaluation (T&E) of new methods, equipment, and procedures to maximise efficiency while optimising safety in our industry.

Dragon™ MK8 is a thermite lance specifically designed to destroy thin skinned steel (up to 6mm) and plastic cased ordnance. This stand-off solution offers an effective method of destroying ordnance and specifically those that are classed as “no touch” items. The Dragon thermite lance is ‘a pre-loaded turnkey solution’ and can be imported into regions where access to explosives and their accessories are prohibited. Dragon and its related products are certified as UN3178 Flammable Solid Inorganic N.O.S., Class 4.1 Packing Group III, and therefore not classified as explosives, making it easy to transport, handle and store without excessive administrative burden. The Dragon MK8 Lance generates a focused flame with a temperature of more than 2000°C, which lances through the targeted ordnance, igniting the explosives within, and allowing these to deflagrate.

The Dragon MK8 Lance is a plug and play product comprising of two components, (1) the preloaded torch and (2) the TIS starter, also a certified class 4.1 flammable solid, which is electrically initiated by means of a standard firing cable and exploder. When preparing the Lance for use, a TIS starter is inserted and taped into the end of the Dragon at the jet end the Lance can now be placed into its stand, positioned at the identified target and connected to an exploder.

During the T&E phase there was a good deal of effort, time and resources used in ensuring that across hundreds of thorough tests on the component parts of the Dragon MK8, we were confident and delighted that across these tests the Dragon MK8 functioned as designed and reliability – being a major factor for those in the field, was and is ensured.

Download the Dragon Lance factsheet