Anti-Personnel Landmine (APL) Detection Technology Survey and Assessment
Abstract
A survey was made of technologies and systems available to detect anti-personnel landmines for the purpose of monitoring or verifying a potential treaty-based landmine ban. A literature search revealed that numerous devices and supporting research exist for the point-source detection of anti-personnel landmines (APL), but only a few systems were found to be under development that address the more rapid detection of multiple APL and entire minefields over a wide area. Given the potential treaty verification need to be able to detect and describe the boundaries of existing and new APL use, and a complementary technical requirement in humanitarian demining, an assessment was made of those technologies that might be applicable to the wide-area detection mission, followed by the identification and assessment of pertinent systems. This survey identified certain promising RDT&E efforts, but none currently appear to provide a complete or near-term solution to the wide-area detection of landmines and minefields. A combination of sensors through sensor fusion and data fusion may hold promise for minefield detection with a higher degree of confidence An investigation was also made of other technical disciplines not normally associated with landmine detection for the contribution they might make for the wide-area detection of landmines. None of the ten fields explored, however, offered any unique or more effective approaches or solutions to the mission. The study concludes with observations on the state of research and development in wide-area landmine detection and offers recommendations concerning the specification of technical requirements and for potential future initiatives in this field.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA365599
Entities
People
- Churchill Hutton
- David Kerner
- John Deni
- Joseph Grubb
- Richard Johnson