Evaluation of Footprint Reduction Methodology at the Cuny Table in the Former Badlands Bombing Range (1999 ESTCP Project)

Abstract

Abstract : As a result of past military training and weapons-testing activities, an estimated 12 million hectares (approximately 30 million acres) of U.S. land is potentially contaminated with unexploded ordnance (UXO) and/or weapons testing-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 could be several hundred million dollars. Current surface-based technologies have shown improvements in the ability to detect sub-surface UXO, but are unable to reliably discriminate UXO from other items that pose no risk. These approaches are generally labor intensive, slow, and expensive. Significant cost savings could be achieved if it is demonstrated that airborne methods can serve as an appropriate substitute for a portion of surface-based applications. 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 ground. Recent advances in airborne magnetic systems have enabled capabilities that are significantly improved over prior generation airborne systems. In addition to the aforementioned potential cost savings, an airborne approach will provide a safer operating environment for personnel performing UXO detection and mapping (stand-off versus direct ground contact), an ability to conduct surveys on difficult terrain or in locations not readily accessible from the surface, and a passive, non-intrusive approach by reducing or eliminating disturbance of indigenous plant and animal habitat. The airborne system utilized for the project is based on airborne-quality cesium-vapor magnetometers mounted in the tips of three rigid 6-meter booms (one forward, two lateral) that are mounted to the airframe of a commercial helicopter.