Classification Technologies for Military Munitions Concerns

English Abstract:

Human safety concerns due to unexploded ordnance (UXO) have prompted multiple governments, including Canada and the United States, to develop technologies, processes, and demonstration programs for the improved detection and classification of buried UXO. Traditionally, munitions concerns were investigated using sensors that indiscriminately detect the presence of metal. Due to prolific amounts of fragments and other non-hazardous metal scraps, the majority of cleanup efforts and costs were historically devoted to recovering non-hazardous metal objects.

Technological advances realized over the past decade have, however, forever changed this UXO paradigm by providing true classification capabilities – namely, the means to remotely determine if a buried metal item needs to be excavated or can be safely left in the ground. These technological advances included changes to the electromagnetic sensors and sensing platforms, software used to extract meaningful and robust attributes, and recommended work practices.

In 2007, the US DoD Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) initiated a Classification Pilot Program to validate the application of these new technologies. Since then, demonstrations have successfully been completed at over 20+ sites with widely ranging site conditions and mix of munitions types, vegetation, and terrain. I will present an overview of the technological advancements that have allowed classification to be successfully achieved and highlight key achievements of ESTCP's Classification Pilot Program.