Detection Of Buried Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

Detection and eradication of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) captured a large attention from military efforts in Afghanistan. This is the primary threat to ground troops. Wide area coverage, distance of detection, angle of incidence and time to detect buried IEDs are some of the critical variables that make this threat so challenging.

Direct trace detection, detection of disturbed soils, optical change detection or Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) are some of the few analytical techniques that have been considered for the detection of IEDs. One method that is already showing good results for detection of IEDs is remote sensing using FTIR spectroscopy for the detection of disturbed soils. This technique has the potential to provide an efficient detection tool to theatre commanders with low false alarm rates and a high detection probability. This paper presents results showing that the Telops Hyper-Cam was found to be sensitive enough to detect buried surrogate IEDs using temporal hyperspectral scenes, making detection of IEDs faster and more efficient, with low false alarm rates.

Research and development of efficient detection technologies for stand-off detection of IEDs have the highest interest. Among these techniques, ground penetrating radar, Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Raman-Based Spectroscopy offer potential solutions but are faced with several limitations. The presence of highly saturated plastic clays would tend to cover the radar signal. Area of coverage versus time and the distance limitation are the most important drawbacks of LIBS and Raman technologies. Fourier Transform Spectroscopy is a well recognized technology for the detection and identification of materials at distance.