Objective:

Remediation or maintenance of open burning/open detonation (OBOD) areas, past or current target impact areas, strafing ranges, and 40 millimeter and small arms ranges is hazardous, time consuming, and expensive. Efforts to characterize these sites with digital geophysical mapping (DGM) techniques can aid confirmation of the degree of contamination but are currently unable to provide sufficient resolution to properly estimate remediation or maintenance efforts. The objective of this project is to develop and demonstrate a demining system, Range Master, for the reliable and cost-effective excavation of ordnance and explosives (OE) from heavily contaminated sites.

Technology Description:

The Range Master differs from available demining equipment in that there are no front flails or rollers designed for intentional OE detonation/destruction. It is designed for OE recovery in a single pass with no complicating crushers or magnetic separators and no need to follow a separate soil conditioning tool. The system relies on manual inspection and disposal of recovered OE. If soil remediation is required, an optional configuration of the Range Master allows site soils to be remotely removed for off-site processing. A new backstop will be installed to support the movement of soil and OE items into the screening area. The screening process will capture the desired items and collect them in a catch cradle located in the back of the screens. Screened soil is immediately returned to the site or, as a separate operation, removed for deeper excavation or off-site treatment or disposal. An industry standard remote operating system will be researched for integration. Armored cameras will be designed to provide all-views (front, back, sides, and screening areas) to the system operator and unexploded ordnance (UXO) technicians. Once an OE item is observed that may require immediate inspection/action or the catch cradle becomes full, the selected screen (down to 1.5 inches) can be hydraulically dumped and the removal operation continued. The screened items remain on the ground surface for inspection and disposal. The Phase I demonstration at the former Fort Ord, California, in February 2004 established the validity of integrating an excavator and screening unit to safely and effectively excavate heavily contaminated sites.

Expected Benefits:

The development of a robust, remotely operated UXO excavation system that is designed around available heavy equipment but hardened in critical areas with replaceable armor, chains, paddles, and screens would provide a cost-effective tool to (1) remediate heavily contaminated UXO sites to depths of 12 inches below ground surface, (2) clear range clutter and UXO for identification and disposal in a single pass, (3) remove polluted soils for treatment or to perform progressively deeper remote clearance operations, and (4) prepare and optimize heavily contaminated UXO sites for deeper and more effective DGM characterization and remediation. The ability to remotely screen and observe excavated objects and suspected UXO for disposal would improve the efficiency and safety of near-surface "Mag and Dig" or mechanical sifting operations. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2007)

Principal Investigator:
Mr. Alan Crandall
USA Environmental, Inc.
5802 Benjamin Center Drive, Suite 101
Tampa, FL 33634
Telephone: (813) 884-5722 Ext. 106
Fax: (813) 884-1876
E-mail: ACrandall@usatampa.com

DoD Liaison:
Mr. Scott Millhouse
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Engineering and Support Center
ED-CS-D, P.O. Box 1600
4820 University Square
Huntsville, AL 35807-4301
Telephone: 256-895-1607
Fax: 256-895-1602
E-mail: scott.d.millhouse@hnd01.usace.army.mil