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Abstract

“Demonstration of Highly Integrated Autonomous ROV-Based 3DEM for Underwater Advanced Geophysical Classification” by Dr. Gregory Schultz (MR22-7454)

Various underwater munitions response applications, including unexploded ordnance (UXO) site investigation and remediation, require the detection, geo-registration, and advanced geophysical classification of targets on or below the seafloor. The need to find explosive items of interest or high value infrastructure obscured in coastal and marine sediments has motivated the need for marine controlled source electromagnetic technologies integrated with remotely operated platforms. We have developed and demonstrated multiple 3D time-domain electromagnetic (EM) systems from various platforms to optimize the utility of underwater digital geophysical mapping (DGM) and advanced geophysical classification (AGC). Often, the 3D electromagnetic sensing technology requires close standoff to the seafloor, which is enabled by specialized autonomous platforms. When controlled and integrated with advanced underwater positioning systems, the sensor array systems exhibit new capabilities for characterizing the location, size, shape, and extent of compact metallic objects. This is an especially powerful tool for critical nearshore applications where acoustic and optical methods may be significantly challenged. We present multiple implementations of 3DEM sensors from remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and bottom crawlers. The results of testing show the utility on both small inspection-class ROVs in littoral waters and amphibious bottom-crawlers in challenging surf zone conditions as well as large working-class ROVs in deeper water.

Speaker Biography

Dr. Gregory Schultz is the Chief Technology Officer at White River Technologies, Inc. He has 20 years of experience with autonomous sensing, geophysical data processing and inversion, simulation, and implementation of miniaturized magnetometers in ordnance clearance, infrastructure, and environmental applications. He is leading multiple efforts to integrate advanced magnetometer and electromagnetic sensor payloads on a variety of unmanned systems to improve unexploded ordinance (UXO) surveying. Dr. Gregory Schultz received his bachelor’s degree in earth physics and doctoral degree in geophysics from the Georgia Institute of Technology.