Technology helps US soldiers see through the ground when detecting mines
The Pentagon is developing technology that would allow soldiers to see buried explosives in an effort to reduce casualties from mines.
| Visual mine detection technology during testing. |
The US Army is researching special technology that would allow soldiers to see through the ground and detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs), instead of just being alerted by the beeping of mine detectors.Defense Talkreport
This technology uses sensors attached to a handheld mine detector. When the sensor scans an IED buried underground, it displays it on a helmet-mounted display or mine detector in real time. This makes it easier for soldiers to determine the location, shape and size of mines, instead of just determining their relative position when using a conventional detector.
“You can see the shape and possibly the size of the object. It helps the soldier react faster,” said Christopher Marshall, a specialist with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Division of the US Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Council.
Information about cleared areas and the location of IEDs is sent back to headquarters, eliminating the need for marking posts. The data is also able to detect signs of fatigue among minesweepers, which can cause them to miss areas.
If the technology is successfully developed, US scientists plan to install the search device on a mine-detecting robot, which will send signals to a nearby command vehicle. "The idea is to apply fully developed technology to robots. Soldiers will no longer need to detect mines themselves, which will be much safer," Mr. Marshall declared.
