Analysis of magnetometer and EMI data for the MTADS program

The multisensor towed array detection system (MTADS) provides the capability for rapid, efficient detection of buried unexploded ordnance (UXO). The system consists of two arrays of sensors, total-field magnetometers and time-domain, pulsed-induction sensors, coupled to an extremely precise GPS location system Data collected in the field are transferred to a workstation-based data analysis system for analysis. Anomalies are selected interactively by an operator and fit to a physics-based model. The MTADS has been demonstrated at several prepared rest ranges and two live sites. In all cases, probabilities of detection of greater than 95% have been achieved. The outstanding research issues in this program involve discrimination between UXO and fragments and scrap. Up to two thirds of the costs of a remediation effort result from digging holes that do not contain UXO. Even small improvements in classification ability will lead to large savings in real world operations