An Advanced PELAN System for Surface and Subsurface UXO Discrimination
MR-200503
Objectives of the Demonstration
The PELAN IV system shown here was used for tests at Indian Head in December 2004.
Range clearance operations must distinguish near-surface clutter from unexploded ordnance (UXO) and explosively filled surface UXO from inert ordnance. The neutron interrogation technology Pulsed ELemental Analysis with Neutrons (PELAN) system shows considerable promise for discriminating UXO at a significantly reduced cost. This project's objective is to construct and deploy a system that integrates design features developed previously for PELAN.
Technology Description
Example stockpile of mortars pending disposal operations
PELAN is a neutron-induced gamma ray spectroscopy system that can quickly identify the filler material of exposed UXO as explosive or inert. Using the elemental signatures from the target, PELAN can determine if the object contains explosive or inert filler. The system is operated remotely with a laptop controller. At the conclusion of the scan, the display indicates to the operator the declared filler type and provides the data used to make the determination. The advanced PELAN system configuration developed in this project will be designed to examine surface and near-surface targets with multiple downward pointing detectors for an improved signal-to-noise ratio and reduced inspection time. This project also will investigate new high-resolution detector technology for increased performance. The system will incorporate advanced algorithms and processing techniques developed in SERDP projects MR-1383 and MR-1384 to improve UXO discrimination. The advanced PELAN system will be demonstrated at UXO remediation sites and in controlled tests at Indian Head, Maryland.
Implementation Issues
Current procedures used in discriminating UXO from inert ordnance assume that the ordnance contains explosives if markings that indicate the item is inert are not visible. Therefore, the cleanup process can be labor-intensive, slow, and costly. The advanced PELAN system is expected to provide significant cost savings by identifying the UXO filler material quickly and reliably.
Project Documents
Points of Contact
Principal Investigator
Mr. Robert Sullivan
SAIC
Phone: 858-826-6019
Fax: 858-826-7618
Project Documents
Document Types
- Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
- Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
- Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
- Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
- Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
- Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
- Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
- Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
- Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.