Airborne minefield detection

This paper presents the current programme of activities of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) in the area of Airborne Minefield Detection. In this programme a dual sensor system will be integrated to provide minefield delineation through data fusion. The operational platform for the REMIDS system is yet to be defined, but is expected to be an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) operating at approximately 330 m altitude. An airship platform will be used for the sensor trials and system demonstration as it would not be cost effective to build prototype sensors with a size and mass suitable for fitting to a UAV at this early stage of development. Rigorous assessment of candidate technologies has resulted in the selection of an Infrared Polarimetric Camera (IRPC) and an Ultra Wide Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (UWB SAR) as the most appropriate complimentary pair of sensors for this application. An overview of the programme is given along with results obtained from sensor trials.