An Experimental Study on Airborne Landmine Detection Using a Circular Synthetic Aperture Radar

Many countries in the world are contaminated with landmines. Several thousand casualties occur every year. Although there are certain types of mines that can be detected from a safe stand-off position with tools, humanitarian demining is still mostly done by hand. As a new approach, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) equipped with a ground penetrating synthetic aperture radar (GPSAR) was developed, which is used to detect landmines, cluster munition, grenades, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The measurement system consists of a multicopter, a total station, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), and a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar operating from 1 GHz to 4 GHz. The highly accurate localization of the measurement system and the full flexibility of the UAS are used to generate 3D-repeat-pass circular SAR images of buried antipersonnel landmines. In order to demonstrate the functionality of the system, 15 different dummy landmines were buried in a sandbox. The measurement results show the high potential of circular SAR for the detection of minimum metal mines. 11 out of 15 different test objects could be detected unambiguously with cm-level accuracy by examining depth profiles showing the amplitude of the targets response over the processing depth.Comment: 7 pages, 9 figure

Guidebook on Detection Technologies and Systems for Humanitarian Demining

The aim of this publication is to provide the mine action community, and those supporting mine action, with a consolidated review and status summary of detection technologies that could be applied to humanitarian demining operations. This Guidebook is meant to provide information to a wide variety of readers. For those not familiar with the spectrum of technologies being considered for the detection of landmines and for area reduction, there is a brief overview of the principle of operation for each technology as well as a summary listing of the strengths, limitations, and potential for use of the technology to humanitarian demining. For those with an intermediate level of understanding for detection technologies, there is information regarding some of the more technical details of the system to give an expanded overview of the principles involved and hardware development that has taken place. Where possible, technical specifications for the systems are provided. For those requiring more information for a particular system, relevant publications lists and contact information are also provided

Endnotes Issue 12.2

Endnotes Issue 12.

A Stand-off Seismo-acoustic Method for Humanitarian Demining

Using seismo-acoustics to detect landmines may be an efficient and cost-effective demining method. It may also work in wet soils and allow discrimination between mines and metallic clutter. Bechtel, as a junior in high school, was a finalist in the 2012 Intel Talent Search for her research on seismo-acoustic detection and was invited to present at the second annual U.S. White House Science Fair

Proper Usage of Torch Systems for In-Situ Landmine Neutralization by Burning for Humanitarian Demining

Researchers at the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command who work with the Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center as part of the Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate, are advancing demining beyond traditional approaches with the use of torch systems for mine neutralization. This article describes trial results for three such torches

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, Issue 24.2 (2020)

Editorial: HMA and COVID-19: A Donor\u27s Perspective Editorial: Time To Focus on Real Minefield Data Mine Action Information Management in Iraq and Northeast Syria IMAS 10.60 Update: Investigation and Reporting of Accidents and Incidents The Mine Free Sarajevo Project SALW in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the DRC Gender and Diversity in Mine Action Victim Assistance in Ukraine Landmines in the American Civil War Risk Education in Colombia R&D: The Odyssey2025 Projec

Time to Stem Lightweight Approaches and Focus on Real Minefield Data?

While preparing for airborne IR thermography fieldwork as part of the Odyssey2025 Project between Humanity & Inclusion and Mobility Robotics in Chad, a comprehensive literature study was conducted by the authors From the literature reviewed, the authors identified a disconnect between thermography-related research projects and practical, real-world HMA operations. The importance of real fieldwork, the significance of undergoing a literature review before starting your own research, and the need for researchers to work in conjunction with HMA operators are all essential, not only to those working in HMA, but more importantly, to the post-conflict communities the sector strives to help

Mine Detection Dogs: Training, Operations and Odour Detection

The use of dogs for mine detection has expanded dramatically in the last ten years. However, research designed to explore and understand the issues underlying mine dog detection has not kept pace with that expansion. A poor knowledge base was recognised as a key limitation on further development and exploitation of this fascinating detection technology. The GICHD therefore accepted the challenge of initiating a programme of research on mine detection dogs, with the specific objectives of (1) improving understanding of the skills and limitations of dogs, (2) optimising their deployment and performance, and (3) raising confidence in their work. This book is the first extensive overview of that programme of research, which has produced considerable success but also encountered some difficulties. Several projects are still underway and are not reported on in detail here. Some areas of research are still raising more questions than providing answers, and there is much more to be done. The book is therefore as much a report on work in progress as on completed projects. It provides valuable reviews of current knowledge in key areas, an up-to-date summary of topical issues, some historical perspectives and some empirical results. I invite you to explore the book with an eye on what remains to be achieved, as well as on the details within the chapters

Blast mines: physics, injury mechanisms and vehicle protection.

Since World War II, more vehicles have been lost to land mines than all other threats combined. Anti-vehicular (AV) mines are capable of disabling a heavy vehicle, or completely destroying a lighter vehicle. The most common form of AV mine is the blast mine, which uses a large amount of explosive to directly damage the target. In a conventional military setting, landmines are used as a defensive force-multiplier and to restrict the movements of the opposing force. They are relatively cheap to purchase and easy to acquire, hence landmines are also potent weapons in the insurgents armamentarium. The stand-offnature of its design has allowed insurgents to cause significant injuries to security forces in current conflicts with little personal risk. As a result, AV mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have become the most common cause of death and injury to Coalition and local security forces operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. Detonation of an AV mine causes an explosive, exothermic reaction which results in the formation of a shockwave followed by a rapid expansion of gases. The shockwave is mainly reflected by the soillair interface and fractures the soil cap overthe mine. The detonation products then vent through the voids in the soil, resulting in a hollow inverse cone which consists of the detonation gases surrounded by the soil ejecta. It is the combination of the detonation products and soil ejecta that interact with the target vehicle and cause injury to the vehicle occupants. A number of different strategies are required to mitigate the blast effects of an explosion. Primary blast effects can be reduced by increasing the standoff distance between the seat of the explosion and the crew compartment. Enhancement of armour on the base of the vehicle, as well as improvements in personal protection can prevent penetration of fragments. Mitigating tertiary effects can be achieved by altering the vehicle geometry and structure, increasing vehicle mass, as well as developing new strategies to reduce the transfer of the impulse through the vehicle to the occupants. Protection from thermal injury can be provided by incorporating fire resistant materials into the vehicle and in personal clothing. The challenge for the vehicle designer is the incorporation of these protective measures within an operationally effective platform.Published versio