Method of Locating Unexploded Ordnance

Locating UXO items and discriminating UXO from clutter in the battlefield causes increasing concern. Tagging ordnance items before delivery and deployment would identify and locate UXO with high detection rates, increasing safety and efficiency of Air Force operations while reducing the cost of site cleanup. To enable the Air Force to efficiently identify and locate UXO, we propose low frequency, passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and Interrogator Units (IU) as well as semi-passive and active RFID tag technology. These tags will provide a high probability of detection and a near-zero false alarm rate. Our solution will fasten to the exterior of the ordnance (i.e., the tail kit of an MK-82) during the manufacturing process or retrofit on existing ordnance. The tag must survive the munitions launch, ground impact, and terrain penetration when the UXO does not explode. An IU located on a handheld, mobile, or aerial platform will locate the UXO. As the optimal solution, we propose a semi-active RFID tag using a low frequency, 130KHz, passive RFID receiver that triggers an active, low frequency transmitter that will respond to the interrogator. The interrogator will link to an elaborate database for storage and retrieval of munitions data. BENEFIT: Williams-Pyro, Inc., believes our Dynamic Remote Ordnance Identification and Detection (DROID) systems, when implemented by the Air Force on its MK-80 series bombs, will provide UXO technicians the ability to quickly locate UXO before it falls into the wrong hands. Contemporary practices require close proximities and generous conditions; our wireless RFID technology will actively poll a suspect site by waking up ordnance tags to communicate their location from over 100 meters. We intend to commercialize DROID initially on the MK-80 series munitions through partnership with the US Air Force and the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems in Garland, TX. Demand for applications such as our DROID systems extends beyond the MK-80 series dumb bombs to more advanced ordnance solutions such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). Williams-Pyro also plans to adapt this location technology for remotely locating and retrieving unattended ground sensors. Commercial markets that demand this type of quick location/retrieval of deployed sensors include battlefield intelligence, disaster site security, oil and gas refineries, and construction site security.