Objective: As a result of past military training and weapons-testing activities, residual unexploded ordnance (UXO) is present at sites designated for Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), at Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS), on active training ranges, and on private lands and marine resource and recreational areas adjacent to current and former ranges. Current underwater UXO remediation requires hands-on, UXO-qualified diver intervention. This project will develop and demonstrate a UXO retrieval system that will allow UXO buried in bottom sediments in shallow water to be uncovered, inspected, and recovered without diver intervention. Technology Description: Implementation of this technology will allow UXO recovery operations to be conducted from the deck of a boat without hands-on diver intervention in most circumstances. Following a UXO survey, data analysis, and preparation of a prioritized dig list, designated targets will be reacquired and flagged for investigation. Operating from a recovery boat secured beside the flagged target, a shroud structure will be lowered over the target initially to provide some protection from unintended detonations and to prevent the bottom sediments from sloughing into the target area as the target is excavated. A vacuum dredge will be used to remove overlying sediments to expose the target so that it can be visualized using lights and remotely operated cameras. Following identification and a safety evaluation, the target will be recovered using either an electromagnet system or a mechanical grapple operated from the deck. UXO deemed to be too dangerous for this recovery approach will be flagged for later recovery or demolition by UXO-qualified dive teams. Expected Benefits: This project will provide the first field demonstration of an automated, semi-remote underwater UXO recovery capability. In most cases, the system will allow a UXO target to be recovered without diver intervention. It also will allow more deeply buried targets to be recovered than can currently be recovered by divers using hand tools. The system should be efficient, safer than current practices, and, as the technique is refined, more economical than current hands-on UXO-qualified diver recovery methods. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2009) Principal Investigator: Dr. Jim McDonald SAIC 120 Quade Drive Cary, NC 27513 Telephone: (919) 653-0215 Ext. 102 Fax: (919) 653-0219 E-mail: Jimmie.R.McDonald@saic.com DoD Liaison: Mr. John Dow Naval Ordnance Safety and Security Activity Ordnance Environmental Support Office Farragut Hall, Building D-323 23 Strauss Avenue Indian Head, MD 20640-5555 Telephone: (301) 744-5640 Fax: (301) 744-6749 E-mail: john.dow@navy.mil | 
