Magnetic Sensors Project

Abstract

Magnetic sensing can be used to enhance operations for mine hunting [1]-[3]. It is effective against totally buried ferrous targets since the magnetic signals generated by the target are neither attenuated nor distorted passing through the sea floor. Buried mine detection and significant reduction in false alarm rates were demonstrated in the Magnetic and Acoustic Detection of Mines (MADOM) Advanced Technology Demonstration using a 5-channel superconducting tensor gradiometer [1]. In the MADOM sea testing, more than 98% of the acoustically mine-like clutter was not magnetically mine-like. Requirements describing capability gaps for buried mine detection and false alarm reduction are documented in MNS-M042-85-93 (Mission Need Statement for Mine Countermeasures), MNS-M025-003-92 (Mission Need Statement for Shallow Water Mine Countermeasures), and OR 282-03-92 (Operation Requirements for Buried Mine Detector).