Munitions And Explosives Of Concern Research Articles

Detection and Identification of Remnant PFM-1 ‘Butterfly Mines’ with a UAV-Based Thermal-Imaging Protocol

Use of landmines as a weapon of unconventional warfare rapidly increased in armed conflicts of the last century and some estimates suggest that at least 100 million remain in place across post-conflict nations. Among munitions and explosives of concern (MECs), aerially deployed plastic anti-personnel mines are particularly challenging in terms of their detection and subsequent disposal. Detection and identification of MECs largely relies on the geophysical principles of magnetometry and electromagnetic-induction (EMI), which makes non-magnetic plastic MECs particularly difficult to detect and extremely dangerous to clear. In a recent study we demonstrated the potential of time-lapse thermal-imaging technology to detect unique thermal signatures associated with plastic MECs. Here, we present the results of a series of field trials demonstrating the viability of low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with infrared cameras to detect and identify the most notorious plastic landmines—the Soviet-era PFM-1 aerially deployed antipersonnel mine. We present results of an experiment simulating analysis of a full-scale ballistic PFM-1 minefield and demonstrate our ability to accurately detect and identify all elements associated with this type of deployment. We report significantly reduced time and equipment costs associated with the use of a UAV-mounted infrared system and anticipate its utility to both the scientific and non-governmental organization (NGO) community.

Collecting, Analyzing, and Visualizing Environmental Data Using Innovative GIS Techniques at CampSibert

Former Camp Sibert was a large-scale chemical warfare materials (CWM) training site in the United States from late 1942 through early 1945. In addition to chemical training, several types and calibers of conventional weapons were also fired there. At the end of World War II, this formerly used defense site (FUDS) was closed. CWM, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) are safety hazards that may constitute an imminent and substantial danger to the public and the environment. Since 1997, Parsons, awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has conducted numerous phased engineering evaluation/cost analysis (EE/CA), remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS), and removal action (RA) on the CWM and conventional MEC sites inside former Camp Sibert. This paper discusses how we utilized innovative GIS techniques during these environmental investigations to collect, store, process, analyze, and visualize the large amount of the projects data. They have been proven to be useful, efficient, reliable, and cost-effective.

A Robust Solution to High-Accuracy Geolocation: Quadruple Integration of GPS, IMU, Pseudolite, and Terrestrial Laser Scanning

Reliable and accurate geolocation is essential for airborne and land-based remote sensing applications. The detection, discrimination, and remediation of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) using the currently available detection and geolocation technologies often yield unsatisfactory results, failing to detect all MEC present at a site or to discriminate between MEC and nonhazardous items. Thus, the goal of this paper is to design and demonstrate a high-accuracy geolocation methodology that will address centimeter-level relative accuracy requirements of a man-portable electromagnetic (EM) sensor system in open and impeded environments. The proposed system design is based on the tight quadruple integration of the Global Positioning System (GPS), the inertial measurement unit (IMU) system, the terrestrial radio-frequency (RF) system pseudolite (PL), and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to support high-accuracy geolocation for a noncontact EM mapping system in GPS-challenged environments. The key novel component of the proposed multisensor system is the integration of TLS that can provide centimeter-level positioning accuracy in a local frame and thus enables a GPS/IMU/PL-based navigation system to achieve both high absolute and relative positioning accuracy in GPS-impeded environments. This paper presents the concept design of the quadruple integration system, the algorithmic approach to data integration with a special emphasis on TLS integration with GPS/IMU/PL, and the performance assessment based on real data, where centimeter-level relative geolocation accuracy is demonstrated during the GPS signal blockage.

Munitions and Dredging Experience on the United States Coast

AbstractA number of dredging projects have unknowingly and unfortunately encountered munitions and explosives of concern (MEC). MEC have been discovered on dredges (e.g., in dragheads, cutterheads, pump casings) and at the dredged material placement site. Detonations have occurred that have either damaged the dredge plant or have even sunk the dredging vessel. A number of recent dredging projects have proactively addressed MEC issues before the start of construction, thereby greatly reducing overall risk and MEC cleanup costs. This paper explains common dredging equipment, discusses techniques useful in reducing the inherent risks of dredging in sediments containing MEC, and discusses lessons learned during various dredging projects involving MEC.Application of MEC avoidance and exclusion techniques during dredging operations is minor compared to the enormous cost of post-dredging MEC cleanup. Most importantly, it is possible to avoid exposing the public to explosive safety hazards and minimize those to workers with proper planning and execution.