HM3 UXO Detection
Introduction
The HM3 system is specifically designed for detection of unexploded explosive ordinance (UXO). It is useful to define areas with potential large masses of UXO and to detect and locate specific targets wherever low altitude airborne surveys can be executed.
Equipment
The HM3 system comprises 3 caesium magnetometer sensors mounted on 6 metre rigid booms on a Bell 206L helicopter. The flight path is interleaved to produce a sensor separation of 3 meters. The aircraft will fly as low as one meter where vegetation and terrain conditions permit. A dual frequency GPS electronic navigation system is used for real time guidance and to locate the measurements to an estimated accuracy of better than 10cm. A laser altimeter is used to measure the sensor height to an estimated accuracy of 10 cm.
Fugro Airborne Surveys is committed to ongoing development of the next generation UXO detection system with better discrimination and sensitivity. Please contact Fugro Airborne Surveys for the latest specifications and availability.
Experience
Fugro Airborne Surveys' HM3 system, pictured below, has been operated successfully on formerly used defence sites, reassigned bases and in emergency recovery situations in the US and Europe and is commercially available now for UXO projects. Some of the locations surveyed include:
- Edwards AFB (California, 1997, ORNL);
- A-10 crash recovery (Colorado, 1997, DSWA);
- Juterbog tank range (Germany, 1997, IABG);
- Badlands Bombing Range (South Dakota, 1999, ORNL);
- Brustem airbase (Belgium, 1999, IABG);
- Pinecastle Impact Complex (Florida, 2000, Ellis Environmental); and
- Massachusetts Military Reservation (Mass, 2000, Blackhawk Geometrics).
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