Methods for detection of IED's – A technology overview

Authors:

  • Dietmar Letalick
  • Malin Kölhed
  • Ingmar Renhorn
  • Ove Steinvall
  • Lars Ulander

Publish date: 2010-12-27

Report number: FOI-R--3104--SE

Pages: 41

Written in: Swedish

Keywords:

  • IED
  • detection
  • radar
  • SAR
  • GPR
  • laser
  • IR
  • acoustics
  • Raman spectroscopy
  • standoff detection

Abstract

In this report some technologies and methods that can be used for detection of IED's are described. We would like to highlight some methods that can be considered interesting for further work and development. The technologies are of different maturity; some are already operational but there is a potential for further improvements, e.g. radar. Other technologies are considerably more immature, e.g. x-ray technologies, but can be a potentially interesting technology in the future. Among the technologies that are discussed are optical methods, including various types of spectroscopy, radar, acoustics and x-rays. The problem to detect an emplaced IED - usually covered in some way, e.g. buried - is very difficult. It is often easier to achieve progress by trying to detect activities connected to the IED-chain, such as moving or burying IED's or components. Hence, it is about creating a sensor capability that works in an earlier stage of the IED timescale. One section is about an overview over general trends around the world. There are several examples of systems with cooperating sensors for persistent surveillance, mainly airborne sensors (usually on UAV's); both operational systems as well as systems under development. In particular, the cooperation between radar (in SAR mode or GMTI mode) and electro-optical sensors for detailed interrogation of ground vehicles and people on foot. In particular, the detection of anomalous activities is of great value.