SERDP/ESTCP Munitions Response Program: Underwater Remediation of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

The US Department of Defense Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) Munitions Response program supports the development and demonstration of innovative technologies to characterize, remediate, and scientifically manage sites affected by military munitions, including unexploded ordnance (UXO) and discarded military munitions. After 20 years of emphasis on terrestrial sites, the US effort is now focused on reducing the costs and improving effectiveness of UXO remediation in the underwater environment. The first stage of this effort includes the development and evaluation of underwater sensors (acoustic, magnetic, electromagnetic and optical) and platforms (ROV, AUV, towed, bottom crawling, and airborne) required to detect, classify and locate UXO found in a variety of underwater environments (lakes, rivers, pond, estuaries, and coastal regions). Field and laboratory studies of UXO behavior are being used to develop models to predict burial, migration, and reemergence of UXO in coastal, estuarine, freshwater, and riverine environments. Development of new technologies for physical removal or in situ remediation of UXO are also investigated. The next step (see Bradley, this volume) includes the development of standardized underwater UXO demonstration sites (test beds) for testing and evaluation of sensors and platforms that are designed to detect and classify UXO in the underwater environment. In this paper, we will summarize progress and provide a vision for the way ahead for cost effective and efficient remediation of underwater UXO. A comparison of UXO problem and remediation solutions between US and European waters will also be provided.