Roadside Explosive Device X-Ray Detecting System

To address the Marine Corps need to detect roadside improvised explosive devices (IEDs), in Phase I Physical Optics Corporation (POC) developed a proof-of-concept prototype of a new Roadside Explosive Device X-ray (REX) Detecting System. REX is based on POC’s X-ray lens, which focuses backscattering photons from inspected objects. It will operate in the energy range from 60 to 120 keV, detecting IEDs or land mines even through metal and soil, and discriminating them from similar objects. REX directly addresses the Marine Corps requirement for a safe and compact system that can be mounted on a small remotely operated vehicle (ROV). REX will examine suspect roadside objects from all directions, imaging potential IEDs and land mines. In Phase I POC experimentally demonstrated real-time X-ray imaging of metal and plastic objects through 75 mil steel or 1 in. of soil. In Phase II a fully operational prototype compatible with small ROVs will be designed, assembled, and tested in the laboratory and at Navy facilities. The prototype will be robust, teleoperated from 100 ft., penetrate all obstacles including 4-5 in. of soil and 1.8 mm metal walls, consume <150 W, and image IEDs and land mines with high spatial resolution and low noise.