Development and Testing of an Engineering Prototype of a Marine Version of the Berkeley Unexploded Ordnance Discriminator (BUD)

MR-2228

Objective

There is a pressing need to develop a geophysical system for detecting and characterizing unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the marine environment. Attempts to date to adapt land-based electromagnetic (EM) systems to the marine environment have demonstrated inferior performance compared to their relative success on land. One such system is the Berkeley Unexploded Ordnance Discriminator (BUD) developed and demonstrated under SERDP project MR-1225 and ESTCP project MR-200437. BUD has demonstrated better than 98% identification of UXO targets at four prove-out sites.

The objective of this project is to adapt the basic principles, and a unique feature, of the land-based BUD to the pressing problem of UXO detection and discrimination in the marine environment.

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Technical Approach

The researchers will design an EM system with the optimum placement of new three- component receivers and will package the system in an enclosed, sled-style vessel that will be towed on the bottom. This sled will be designed with the aid of a model tank and will incorporate surfaces that allow it to rise up over small obstacles and deflect laterally around tall obstacles. The basic transmitter circuitry, data acquisition and control, and receiver technology will be directly adapted from the well-developed and documented BUD system.

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Benefits

The marine prototype is expected to have the same discrimination abilities as BUD for objects larger than 60 mm on or beneath the ocean bottom which will help support the detection and characterization of UXO in the marine environment. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2013)

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Points of Contact

Principal Investigator

Dr. Frank Morrison

Marine Advanced Research, Inc.

Phone: 510-377-3361

Fax: 510-215-1583

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.