
Detection, Localization, Classification, and Remediation of Military Munitions Underwater
SERDP, Munitions Response Program Area
Updated November 3, 2022
Closed March 14, 2023
FY 2018-2024
The objective of this Statement of Need (SON) was to develop technologies to detect, localize, classify, and remediate military munitions found at underwater sites. Special attention to the varying sites and those circumstances facing the site manager is a critical component. Capabilities are needed for a wide variety of aquatic environments such as ponds, lakes, rivers, estuaries, and coastal and open ocean areas. Munitions of interest range from small projectiles and mortars to large bombs, although proposals need not address the entire range of potential munitions with a single solution. Water depths up to 35 meters are of interest although there is a specific need for systems that can operate in depths less than 5 meters and under near-shore dynamic conditions.
Proposals addressing any aspect of munitions response for underwater sites were considered, with particular interest in the topics listed below. Listed beneath each topic are the specific needs for that area of interest.
The program has developed several sensor systems, which span the possible physics-based devices. We retain an interest in staying abreast of the science and technology, to exploit new discoveries, but emphasis has shifted to platforms, robotic devices to deal with the variety and extremes of the operating environments that must be faced. Additional constraints are present that limit the options for removal/remediation, which demand containment of the effects of detonation and chemical dispersion.
Wide Area and Detailed Survey Technologies:
- Quickly characterize and map the environments that may contain munitions,
- Detect targets in a cluttered background,
- Classify targets under complex conditions,
- Identify specific types of targets; especially in a cluttered environment,
- Localize targets to allow rapid and accurate return for removal/disposal,
- Use stratigraphic techniques to describe the geophysical conditions of live sites, and
- Detect, localize, and classify buried or proud underwater UXO that is in close proximity to buried or proud clutter or other UXO.
Machine Learning:
- Couple machine learning with traditional computational modeling and human decision-making with emphasis on physics-based models and use of supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, and/or active learning techniques for decision support. Techniques suitable for the following use cases are encouraged: Labeled training sets are small, and false negatives have higher consequences than false positives.
Munition Burial and Mobility:
- Address development of predictive models and understanding of the physical processes that are responsible for burial, migration, and re-emergence of UXO in underwater environments are encouraged. Of special interest are UXO behaviors during extreme hydrodynamic events and for those munitions that are buried. Validation (demonstrations) of predictive models of UXO behavior are also encouraged.
- Site manager interests and concerns must be addressed. A critical need is the transition from detailed scientific and technical information to language and instructions that are understood by non-experts.
Biofouling and Corrosion of Munitions:
- Studies of the long term impact on optical and acoustic sensing systems are requested. Also, of interest is the effect on munition burial and mobility behavior. Experts in the fields of metallurgy, corrosion and biofouling are encouraged to team with sensor developers to include the science of those phenomena.
Optical Sensors:
- Investigation of the quality of the point cloud in terms of having sufficient resolution to discern proud, partially buried, and fouled UXO from the surrounding environment is encouraged. The degradation of the point cloud should also be quantifiable/predictable based on turbidity, depth, wave action and any other factors that could degrade resolution. Post processing and point cloud manipulation requirements should be considered.
- Development of a holistic understanding optical capabilities, which includes cost and useability.
Harbor Dynamics and Activity Impact on Munitions:
- Active harbors are a unique environment that present challenges to UXO remediation; studies are sought that address munition dynamic behavior, areal and depth distribution of munitions; and the impact of harbor activity, e.g., prop wash and dredging. Also required are operating platforms that can deal with both the constricted space and the dynamics of harbor activity.
Platforms/Robotics:
- Platforms that operate in the dynamic nearshore environments and to depths exceeding 30 meters are required; the combination of nearshore wave action and loss of water column operating space is a challenge for platforms that have an extensive set of mechanical and electronic hardware. Conversely, for deeper depths, the definition of “seafloor” can become problematic, requiring a vehicle to be mobile and situationally “aware” as it transits in and operates in highly turbid waters. Coupled to the platforms are munition manipulation capabilities: robotic arms, hands, etc. and to this, a sensor capability (likely very high frequency acoustic devices) to provide a “sight” capability not possible optically in highly turbid conditions.
Cost-Effective Recovery and Disposal:
- Technologies are needed to cost-effectively and safely recover and remediate munitions in the underwater environment. Current practices employing divers for manual retrieval of targets are dangerous and, oftentimes, prohibitively expensive. Proposals should focus on recovery in the shallow water environment, where munitions are likely to be encountered by the public (up to depths routinely accessed by recreational divers) and should address explosive safety issues. Cost-effective, safe, and environmentally acceptable remediation techniques are also needed for underwater items that cannot be moved due to explosive safety concerns and where blow-in-place operations underwater can significantly impact marine life.
Proposals submitted under this SON considered operation in a variety of conditions with regard to salinity, water depth, water turbidity, bottom characteristics, depth of burial, and clutter scenarios in a variety of marine, brackish, and freshwater environments. Proposals addressing contamination of soils and water by munitions constituents were not within the scope of this SON.
Results from this work will provide expanded capability to cost-effectively characterize, remediate, and manage munitions response sites in the underwater environment and to deploy advanced technologies for a wide diversity of site conditions.
As a result of past military training and weapons testing activities, munitions are present at sites designated for base realignment and closure (BRAC) and at Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS). Modern geophysical surveying techniques can effectively be used to characterize sites potentially contaminated with munitions on dry land. However, many sites contain munitions underwater, where the environment both restricts access to and may significantly impact the performance of established and emerging characterization technologies.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the U.S. Navy have identified more than 400 underwater sites that are potentially contaminated with munitions. The majority of areas are in shallow water (0-120 feet) where the munitions pose a threat to human health and the environment. Property potentially containing munitions in underwater environments exceeds 10 million acres.
Complementary SERDP & ESTCP-Funded Projects: Currently, SERDP and ESTCP are supporting efforts to develop an understanding of the performance of acoustic and geophysical sensors for this mission. Other projects are addressing the issue of underwater munitions characteristics and their environment. Proposers are strongly encouraged to become aware of ongoing and recent research supported by SERDP and ESTCP and to clearly articulate how the proposed work is novel or different than existing work. More information regarding these efforts can be found at the SERDP and ESTCP website.
To meet the objectives of this SEED SON, proposals should not have exceeded $250,000 in total cost and approximately one year in duration. Work performed under the SEED SON investigated innovative approaches that entail high technical risk and/or have minimal supporting data. At the conclusion of the project, sufficient data and analysis should be available to provide risk reduction and/or a proof-of-concept. SEED projects are eligible for follow-on funding if they result in a successful initial project.