Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detection and classification demonstrations in real field environments using the Improved High-Frequency Electromagnetic Induction (HFEMI)
Abstract
Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detection and classification demonstrations in real field environments using the Improved High-Frequency Electromagnetic Induction (HFEMI)AbstractThe proposal addresses one of the Department of Defenses (DOD) most significant and pressingthreats: the fast, efficient and reliable detection and classification of buried Improvised ExplosiveDevices (IEDs) in real-world environments. Buried IEDs, due to their relative ease ofconstruction, availability, and destructive capacity, remains the main and current (and likelyfuture) asymmetric threat directed at US and coalition forces. The IEDs can be hiddenanywhere: in vehicles, on animals, planted in roads or strapped to a person and can be deployedeverywhere: in a combat environment or in the middle of a busy city. The adaptability of IEDs toalmost any situation makes them difficult to detect, identify and neutralize using standardsubsurface sensing technologies, such as Low frequency electromagnetic induction (EMI, DC to100kHz ) and ground penetrating radar (GPR, operating above 50MHz). Much research over thepast few years has been focused on exploring, developing and building new systems for buriedIED detection. One such technology is the high frequency EMI (HFEMI) sensor developed underONR, N00014-16-1-2332 project. As a part of this project, IEDs detection studies wereconducted at the Naval Support Activity (NSA), Panama City non-magnetic test site using theHFEMI system. These studies show that the HFEMI system was able to detect IEDs, includingcarbon rods, short wires, and explosive filled jugs, successfully, see Figure 1. However, in orderto utilize the HFEMI systems full capability and to achieve 100% IED detection confidence, weneed to adapt advanced EMI models and signal processing approaches to the HFEMI data sets.In addition, tests need to be conducted on sites with increasingly complicated conditions in termsof the range of IED types and their mixture with clutter, the terrain/vegetation at the site, and theeffects of the geological setting on the HFEMI sensor.The principal objective of this research project is to adapt our advanced EMI models andclassification algorithms to HFEMI data sets and to test and demonstrate the applicability of thecombined HFEMI sensor and advanced EMI models for detecting and classifying subsurfaceIEDs with high confidence. The High Frequency EMI sensor has been developed under theONR, N00014-16-1-2332 and US Army Corps of Engineers, ERDCEQ/I program. It hassuccessfully demonstrated IED detection at the Fort AP-Hill and NSA test sites. In order todemonstrate the reliability, robustness, and practicality of the HFEMI sensor for IED detectionand classification in real world environments this proposal aims to adapt fast, noise-tolerant EMIdata processing and classification approaches that will enable the discrimination of IEDS.Approved for public release.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 20, 2020
- Source ID
- N000142012341
Entities
People
- Fridon Shubitidze
Organizations
- Board of Trustees of Dartmouth College
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy