Uxocoe Master Plan For Quantitative Testing Of Uxo Sensor Technologies

Fairly comparing the detection and discrimination performance of sensors or systems is<br>always difficult. A useful comparison is nearly impossible in uncontrolled test situations.<br>The Unexploded Ordnance Center of Excellence (UXOCOE) proposes measuring<br>performance using a set of standard test locations, targets, and protocols that are<br>administered by an impartial entity. This paper briefly outlines a master plan to establish<br>standard test sites, protocols, and procedures for Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) sensors.<br>Since the 1990’s, significant investments by both the government and private industry<br>have produced an exciting array of promising developments in sensors for detection of<br>buried munitions, both ordnance and mines. Geophysical technologies such as ground<br>penetrating radar (GPR), magnetometry, electro-magnetic induction (EMI) and synthetic<br>aperture radar (SAR) are just a few examples that form the basis for many UXO detection<br>sensors under development. Within each of these technology categories of UXO sensors,<br>there are a number of different technical approaches being sold as the “best” way to<br>exploit the respective technology. In addition, sensor fusion concepts (i.e. using more<br>than one sensor technology) are being explored in an effort to bring the best of each<br>technology to bear in solving the UXO problem. The UXO industry (both military and<br>civilian) cannot reasonably equally support every technology and sensor type being<br>explored and promoted today. Rather, a tradeoff must occur in which only those<br>technologies that are the most superior (both technically and economically) will become<br>the de facto industry standards. Since it is unclear at this point which technologies and<br>sensors types are superior, deciding how to wisely invest scarce R&D funds in this<br>environment is complex.