Enhancement and Utilization of Airborne Magnetometry for the Detection, Characterization, and Identification of Unexploded Ordance (UXO)

Abstract

Abstract : As a result of past military training and weapons-testing activities, an estimated 6 million hectares (ha) (approximately 15 million acres) of U.S. land is potentially contaminated with unexploded ordnance (UXO) and/or weapons testing- and training-related artifacts. These contaminated areas include sites designated for base realignment and closure (BRAC) and Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS). Using current technologies, the costs associated with detection, identification, and mapping of this contamination has been estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars. Current surface-based technologies are generally labor intensive, slow, and expensive. Significant cost savings could be achieved if it is demonstrated that advanced airborne methods can provide a substitute for a portion of the surface-based applications. Typically, airborne magnetometers have not been used for UXO detection due to limitations in the physics and an inability to position the magnetic sensors in close proximity to the targets at or beneath the earth s surface. Recent demonstrations and advances in airborne magnetic systems have led to significantly improved performance over prior generation airborne systems. Although airborne systems do not match the resolution and sensitivity of ground-based surveys, an airborne approach provides the option for personnel to conduct surveys without contacting potentially explosive devices, and offers a relatively nonintrusive approach by reducing the disturbance of indigenous plant and animal habitat that often accompanies ground geophysical activities (i.e., brush cutting). The fourth-generation airborne system developed and utilized for ESTCP projects 200037 and 37 was based on eight airborne-quality cesium vapor magnetometers mounted in three rigid 6 m booms (one forward, two lateral) that are mounted to the airframe of a commercial helicopter.