Underwater Advanced Time-Domain Electromagnetic System

MR-201313

Objective

There are over 400 underwater sites identified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the U. S. Navy potentially containing munitions. The cost to characterize and remediate underwater munitions response sites is significantly greater than performing the same activities for terrestrial sites. Current technologies allow for detection of metallic items in the underwater environment, but there are currently no underwater systems comparable to the terrestrial advanced electromagnetic induction (EMI) systems for classification of munitions currently being demonstrated under ESTCP. There is a significant need for such an underwater system since the munitions response industry currently has very few options for rapidly and safely characterizing the sources of geophysical anomalies; characterization is currently primarily performed through the expensive and time consuming process of manual inspection by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experienced divers.

Back to Top

Technology Description

The technology being designed and demonstrated is an underwater version of the Geometrics MetalMapper system, which has been well described, validated, and demonstrated through several SERDP and ESTCP projects. The project’s design consists of:

  1. Modifying the basic technology embodied in the land-based MetalMapper system into a 2 meter (m) by 2 m array and waterproofing the system.
  2. Constructing a platform for the array designed to keep the array stable on the sediment surface such that it will not move as a result of currents or wave action.
  3. Utilizing a high capacity winch or crane system integrated with underwater positioning technologies to deploy and maneuver the platform to each desired location.

Back to Top

Benefits

The expected Department of Defense (DoD) benefit is application of the technology to multiple underwater sites requiring Site Inspections and Remedial Investigations. CH2M HILL is actively working with the U.S. Navy to develop solutions for underwater projects that could benefit greatly from the technology. The cost benefit to the DoD in characterizing underwater anomalies with the system will be significant. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2016)

Back to Top

Points of Contact

Principal Investigator

Mr. Tamir Klaff

CH2M HILL

Phone: 202-596-1199

Fax: 703-376-5660

Program Manager

Munitions Response

SERDP and ESTCP

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.