Sensor technologies for hunting buried sea mines

Conventional high frequency sonars may be ineffective in the detection and classification of buried sea mines. Hence new approaches are required to address this problem. Under the magnetic and acoustic detection of mines (MADOM) advanced technology demonstration in 1990, the fusion of low-frequency imaging sonars and magnetic sensors was introduced and successfully demonstrated to provide detection and classification capabilities against buried mines. In February 2002, the Office of Naval Research initiated a project to provide a deliberate capability for hunting buried sea mines. Recent developments in acoustic and electromagnetic sensor technology, signal processing, and data fusion are being pursued. Objectives and approaches for this buried minehunting (BMH) project are described. The new sensor technologies and system concepts that have evolved since MADOM are discussed. Plans to test and demonstrate these technologies and concepts are presented.