BANGEX 5 preliminary report

This report describes preliminary results from the BANGEX 5 field exercise which occurred at the China Lake Test Range JCIF facility 3 -- 5 June, 2008. The goal of this research is to improve our forces ability to detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from aircraft. Considerable progress has been made toward this goal as a result of this exercise. A variety of surface environmental measurements were performed to characterize the conditions associated with IEDs and the accompanying changes to the local soil conditions. These were complimented by operational aircraft imaging measurements (movies) of various simulated IED and non-IED targets. These measurements will be used to improve the physics used in IED detection numerical models. Although analysis of these data are just beginning, the authors and collaborators have already verified that IED locations can be detected from high-flying aircraft sensors by the thermal and visible signatures of disturbed soil and other changes in the local environment. The measurements described here will form the basis of the follow-up studies that will be presented in future reports and in the thesis of Capt. Bieger.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

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Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited