SERDP/ESTCP Munitions Response Program: A Summary of Progress and a Way Forward for Underwater Remediation of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

The U.S. Department of Defense Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and Environmental Security Technology Certification Program’s (ESTCP) Munitions Response program support the development and demonstration of innovative technologies to characterize, remediate, and scientifically manage sites affected by military munitions, including unexploded ordnance (UXO) and discarded military munitions (https://serdp-estcp.org/ProgramAreas/Munitions-Response). After 20 years of emphasis on terrestrial sites, the U.S. effort is now focused on reducing the costs and improving the effectiveness of UXO remediation in the underwater environment. The first stage of this effort includes the development and evaluation of underwater sensors and platforms required to detect, classify, and locate UXO found in a variety of underwater environments (lakes, rivers, ponds, estuaries, and coastal regions). Field and laboratory studies of UXO behavior are being used to develop models to predict burial, migration, and reemergence of UXO in coastal, estuarine, freshwater, and riverine environments. Development of new technologies for physical removal or in situ remediation of UXO are also being investigated. Standardized underwater UXO demonstration sites (test beds) for testing and evaluation of sensors and platforms designed to detect, classify, and localize UXO in this environment have been established. In this paper, we will summarize progress and provide a vision for the way ahead for cost-effective and efficient management-in-place and remediation of underwater UXO.