They are for demining in combat operations. Basically I think they are rockets with line trailing behind, and there are explosives set apart at even distances over those lines, so when the rockets and lines come down, they blow up mines throughout a certain area. I found out about them in the same documentary that I linked Ackmed to earlier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9Pq5JZ2Fd8
Yes, originally designed for traditional mines. We used them (and MICLIC's[1750lb of C4]) to clear a path to walk. Metal detectors were almost useless and we resorted to these and good old sickle on the end of sticks to find IED's.
In the box with the A bag inbetween, it contains the rocket.
All boxed up and read to go. Bonus points if you know what those are with it, the long green tubes.
Setup and about to deploy. You connect the two packs together, and then the rocket. There is a parachute on the end to help straighten it out. As the rocket pulls it forward, the parachute pulls it back some to keep the line straight. Otherwise it just ends up everywhere.
End results, 108 steps that should be clear.
We used all 5 that one day to help clear our objective. They're heavy as fuck, especially when you have to carry it on your back with all the rest of your gear.
edit, I can't get that one pic to rotate, oh well.