Requirements for unexploded ordnance detection and discrimination in the marine environment using magnetic and electromagnetic sensors

The topic of marine unexploded ordnance (UXO) mapping is becoming one of the most significant technology challenges of environmental characterization and remediation. For obscured object detection and characterization, magnetic and electromagnetic methods have been the primary sensor modalities used in terrestrial applications. However, while some marine systems have been developed and deployed, detection performance has been generally poor, particularly against small targets, and limited discrimination ability has been demonstrated. In this paper, we will review both the detection and discrimination requirements for magnetic and electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensor modalities and will discuss some systems either under development or at a conceptual stage. The paper focuses on data requirements and does not address the engineering required to effectively deploy the sensors.