Navy/Marine Corps innovative science and technology developments for future enhanced mine detection capabilities

Joint Mine Detection Technology (JMDT) is a Navy/Marine Corps 6.2 Exploratory Development program that is closely coordinated with the 6.4 Coastal Battlefield Reconnaissance and Analysis (COBRA) acquisition program. The objective of the program is to develop innovative science and technology to enhance future mine detection capabilities. Prior to transition to acquisition, the COBRA Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) was extremely successful in demonstrating a passive airborne multispectral video sensor system operating in the tactical Pioneer unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), combined with an integrated ground station subsystem to detect and locate minefields from surf zone to inland areas. JMDT is investigating advanced technology solutions for future enhancements in minefield detection capability beyond the current COBRA. ATD demonstrated capabilities. JMDT has recently been delivered next-generation, innovative hardware which was specified by the Coastal Systems Station and developed under contract. This hardware includes an agile-tuning multispectral, polarimetric, digital video camera and advanced multiwavelength laser illumination technologies to extend the same sorts of multispectral detections from an UAV into the night and over shallow water and other difficult littoral regions. One of these illumination devices is an ultra-compact, highly-efficient (currently a single wavelength) near-IR laser diode array. The other is a multi-wavelength range-gateable laser. Additionally, in conjunction with this new technology, algorithm enhancements are being developed in JMDT for future naval capabilities which will outperform the already impressive record of automatic detection of minefields demonstrated by the COBRA ATD.