Demonstration of advanced sensors for underwater unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection

The need to detect and localize seabed unexploded ordnance (UXO) at formerly used military test ranges and to discriminate UXO from other natural and man-made objects represents significant technology challenges. The latter discrimination capability, often described as clutter rejection, is very important to minimize unnecessary diver inspections during subsequent operations for UXO removal. Current commercial-off-the-shelf sensors have limited capability to detect UXO and reject clutter. In 2012 advanced sensors developed for mine hunting were fielded for UXO site inspection and shown to demonstrate capability to inspect areas for potential proud and subsurface UXO sized objects. Systems employed include the Office of Naval Research Small Synthetic Aperture MineHunter (SSAM) and the REMUS 600 Buried Mine Identification (BMI) System for shallow water, and the Hydronalix SurfSense Micro Unmanned Surface Vessel (Micro-USV) for the surf zone.