Detecting Underground Penetration Attempts at Secure Facilities
Abstract
The protection of secure facilities such as forward operating bases (FOBs) and theater internment facilities (TIFs) is an emerging issue in light of the successful and nearly successful underground breaches at overseas bases, along our borders, and at prisons in foreign countries where suspected terrorists are held. The armed forces are now investigating sensor modalities to protect secure facilities, because covert tunnels can conceal and protect terrorist activities, weapons of mass destruction, command and control facilities, and other functions. The technological sophistication observed in some of the tunnels (such as uses of power conduits; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning [HVAC] systems; reinforced concrete; and other metallic objects) shows a high degree of engineering skill and financial backing. But seismic and acoustic technology that is currently available can be used to span the underground protection gap within our force protection strategy. During studies conducted at a base camp in Iraq from July-November 2005, the most promising technology used an array of acoustic and seismic sensors placed at various depths to determine the characteristic signatures produced by underground tunneling, as well as signatures produced by personnel and equipment typically located within a base camp (such as generators, vehicles, and heavy equipment). Subsequent analysis determined that local geologic characteristics were of primary importance in governing both surface and subsurface signals of interest.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA596633
Entities
People
- Jason R. Mckenna
- Michael S. Mattice
- Mihan H. McKenna
- Robert E. Tucker
Organizations
- United States Army Engineer School