Technologies to Defeat Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s)

The objective of the proposed development effort is to utilize a sensor which detects IEDs and detonation devices. The sensor detector is mounted on a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) such that detection can be performed from a autonomous airborne platform ahead of a convoy or patrol, thereby reducing the risk of loss of life. A positive identification was achieved from a UAV approximately 75 feet above the ground, travelling at 30 mph. Further modifications promise to increase the system sensitivity to the point that it is effective from 200 to 300 feet above the ground appear possible. In the Phase II program the transmitter and receiver will be mounted on a small UAV and optimized for height, speed and sensitivity. The output from the gradiometer and software defined radio, will be provided to the ground station and ground operators in a format which can readily be interpretted through image overlay, either over a map or GPS linked image of the area of interest.