Multisensor towed array detection system for UXO detection

Abstract

The multisensor towed array detection system (MTADS) was designed to be an efficient, sensitive tool for the detection and characterization of buried unexploded ordnance. It comprises arrays of total-field magnetometers and time-domain electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensors, associated navigation and data acquisition hardware, and a custom Data Analysis System. The MTADS has conducted eleven demonstrations and surveys over the past four years. The system has shown the ability to detect ordnance at its likely self-penetration depths with a probability of detection of 0.95 or better. The model-derived positions and depths of the detected ordnance items are generally well within the physical size of the targets, making remediation much quicker and less costly than with standard techniques. Data sets corresponding to many of the MTADS surveys are available to others in the field.

Low-noise high-density alkali-metal scalar magnetometer

“…They are important in a number of practical applications, such as mineral exploration [14], searches for archeological artifacts [15] and unexploded ordnance [16], as well as in fundamental physics experiments, such as searches for a CP-violating electric dipole moment [2]. Some of these applications require magnetometers that can measure small (∼ fT) changes in geomagnetic-size fields with a fractional sensitivity of 10 −10 − 10 −11 .…”

Isolating and Discriminating Overlapping Signatures in Cluttered Environments

“…(4.5c)). The transmitter and receiver sensors are incorporated into our algorithm to closely model the hardware configuration of either the TEM-TADS [37,38] or the MPV [39] instruments. receiver sensors separated by 40 cm (center to center) in the (xy) plane and collecting z components of the secondary magnetic field induced by the target.…”

Geo-location Requirements for UXO Discrimination (Guidance Document)

“…Figure 1 is an example of DGM. It shows mapped magnetic field data that were collected for ESTCP by the Naval Research Laboratory using the Multisensor Towed Array Detection System (MTADS) [15,17] at the APG Standardized UXO Test Site Blind Grid. The MTADS array consists of eight total field magnetometers towed behind a low magnetic signature vehicle.…”