Detonation command and control

A command and control system comprising:

• a command vehicle, the command vehicle comprising at least a first switch operable to provide a first authorized to fire control signal in response to actuation of the first switch to a first switch authorized to fire position;
• and the command vehicle comprising command computing hardware configured to provide a second switch operable to provide a second authorized to fire control signal in response to actuation of the second switch to a second authorized to fire position;
• the command computing hardware also being configured to receive signals corresponding to the status of plural instruments and at least one interlock;
• an instrumentation vehicle comprising a plurality of instrumentation inputs for coupling to associated instruments for receiving instrument status signals indicating the status of the associated instruments and for receiving instrument data signals corresponding to the data collected by the associated instruments;
• the instrumentation vehicle also comprising at least one interlock input for receiving interlock status signals indicating the status of the associated interlock;
• the instrumentation vehicle further comprising fire set and control system (FSCS) computing hardware operable to receive:
• (i) signals corresponding to the instrument status and instrument data signals, (ii) signals corresponding to the at least one interlock status signal, and (iii) signals corresponding to the first and second authorized to fire control signals;
• the FSCS computing hardware being configured to provide a firing control signal for causing the firing of the detonation device to detonate one or more explosive charges or propellant charges in response to the firing control signal, the FSCS computing hardware providing the firing control signal in response to the plural instruments and at least one interlock having a status corresponding to an authorized to fire status;
• and
• a communication network coupled to the command computing hardware and to the FSCS computing hardware, the communication network being operable to provide communications between the command vehicle and the instrumentation vehicle so as to:
• (i) transmit signals corresponding to the status of the at least one interlock, corresponding to the status of the plural instruments, and corresponding to the instrument data signals, from the instrumentation vehicle to the command vehicle;
• and (ii) transmit signals corresponding to the first and second authorized to fire control signals from the command vehicle to the instrumentation vehicle.