Observations on military exploitation of explosives detection technologies

Anthony A. Faust; C. J. de Ruiter; Anneli Ehlerding; John E. McFee; Eirik Svinsås; Arthur D. van Rheenen

doi:10.1117/12.886391

23 May 2011 Observations on military exploitation of explosives detection technologies

Anthony A. Faust, C. J. de Ruiter, Anneli Ehlerding, John E. McFee, Eirik Svinsås, Arthur D. van Rheenen

Proceedings Volume 8017, Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XVI; 801716 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.886391
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2011, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Accurate and timely detection of explosives, energetic materials, and their associated compounds would provide valuable information to military commanders in a wide range of military operations: protection of fast moving convoys from mobile or static IED threats; more deliberate countermine and counter-IED operations during route or area clearance; and static roles such as hasty or deliberate checkpoints, critical infrastructure protection and support to public security. The detection of hidden explosive hazards is an extremely challenging problem, as evidenced by the fact that related research has been ongoing in many countries for at least seven decades and no general purpose solution has yet been found. Technologies investigated have spanned all major scientific fields, with emphasis on the physical sciences, life sciences, engineering, robotics, computer technology and mathematics. This paper will present a limited, operationally-focused overview of the current status of detection technologies. Emphasis will be on those technologies that directly detect the explosive hazard, as opposed to those that detect secondary properties of the threat, such as the casing, associated wires or electronics. Technologies that detect explosives include those based on nuclear radiation and terahertz radiation, as well as trace and biological detection techniques. Current research areas of the authors will be used to illustrate the practical applications.

Citation Download Citation

Anthony A. Faust, C. J. de Ruiter, Anneli Ehlerding, John E. McFee, Eirik Svinsås, and Arthur D. van Rheenen "Observations on military exploitation of explosives detection technologies", Proc. SPIE 8017, Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XVI, 801716 (23 May 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.886391

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