Accession Number:

ADA546324

Title:

Wide Area Detection and Identification of Underwater UXO Using Structural Acoustic Sensors

Descriptive Note:

Memorandum rept.

Corporate Author:

NAVAL RESEARCH LAB WASHINGTON DC PHYSICAL ACOUSTICS BRANCH

Personal Author(s):

• Bucaro, J. A.
• Houston, B. H.
• Simpson, H.
• Waters, Z.
• Saniga, M.
• Dey, S.
• Sarkissian, A.
• Calvo, D.
• Kraus, L.
• Yoder, T.

Report Date:

2011-07-08

Pagination or Media Count:

85.0

Abstract:

This project explored the feasibility and advantages of applying the structural acoustic feature-based technique to the detection and identification of underwater unexploded ordnance UXO especially for buried targets. In the structural acoustic regime, the echoes are related to the vibrational dynamics of the object, and time-frequency features in the scattered echoes can be used to fingerprint the target. The research centered around 1 comprehensive state-of-the-art UXO scattering measurements in the NRL structural acoustic underwater laboratory free-field and sediment facilities and off the coast of Panama City, FL, using a rail-based robotic sonar system and 2 the application of time and frequency based numerical models. The structural acoustic approach to target detection and identification offers significant advantages over more conventional acoustic approaches which rely on the formation of high resolution images. These advantages include diverse set of fingerprints leading to low false alarm rates longer range operation leading to wide area coverage and low frequency sediment penetration leading to buried target prosecution.

Descriptors:

• *UNDERWATER ORDNANCE
• IDENTIFICATION
• ECHOES
• BURIED OBJECTS
• AREA COVERAGE
• ACOUSTIC DETECTORS
• UNEXPLODED AMMUNITION
• FINGERPRINTS
• FALSE ALARMS
• TARGET DETECTION

Subject Categories:

• Underwater Ordnance

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE