Roadside Explosive Device X-Ray Detecting System

The Marine Corps needs an instrument that can detect roadside improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which continue to threaten U.S. forces as they conduct overseas operations. The system should be mounted on a small, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or a man-operate vehicle, or should be man-portable; so that it can detect concealed IEDs, even through metal. Existing backscatter imaging sensors for detecting explosive devices take a truck to transport, are expensive, and above all are hazardous. To meet this need, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Roadside Explosive Device X-ray (REX) Detecting System that focuses hard X-rays to discriminate IEDs from similar objects. REX can examine suspect roadside objects from all points of view, recovering full 360 degrees imagery of potential IEDs in real time. The proposed REX system images IEDs and other hidden objects by means of Compton backscattering. It will operate in the X-ray energy range from 40 to 80 keV. The REX system has high resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio because of its true focusing capabilities. In Phase I POC will develop a preliminary proof-of-concept prototype of the REX system. In Phase II, a preproduction REX system will be fabricated and tested.