Objective: Current Department of Defense (DoD) projects are investigating wide area assessment (WAA) technologies that are capable of characterizing and mapping former and active military facilities contaminated with unexploded ordnance (UXO). This project will demonstrate the application of a Minimum Altitude Remote Sensing (MARS) system to the WAA process. Airborne magnetic UXO detection systems such as MARS combine the detection capabilities of surface-based magnetic systems with the time and cost benefits of airborne survey systems. Technology Description: The MARS system integrates proven geophysical sensor technologies deployed at low altitudes using sophisticated, commercially available off-the-shelf light sport aircraft (LSA) technology. It exploits low-metal LSA construction, higher sampling-rate electronics, and low-noise sensors to acquire high quality data from low-altitude surveys. In addition, MARS characterization results can be integrated with other WAA data sets such as orthophotography, light detection and ranging (LiDAR), hyperspectral imagery, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to optimize UXO characterization. Investigators will demonstrate the MARS system at one of the ESTCP WAA Pilot Program sites and compare the results to helicopter and ground-based systems. Expected Benefits: MARS will produce data and characterization capabilities comparable to other low-altitude mapping technologies, including helicopter systems, at lower costs and with faster and easier mobilization and setup activities. It also will provide the ability to scale system deployment with multiple systems, fly over sandy areas, and deploy effectively worldwide. The project team anticipates MARS costs at 20-40% of comparable helicopter technology. Using SeaTerra's proven data acquisition system and recent advancements in LSA, MARS will provide DoD an important tool supporting the vertical integration of UXO WAA technology. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2007) Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephen Billings Sky Research, Inc. 2386 East Mall, Suite 112A Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Telephone: (604) 827-3220 Fax: (604) 827-3221 E-mail: stephen.billings@skyresearch.com DoD Liaison: Mr. Scott Millhouse U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineering and Support Center Huntsville CEHND-ED-CS-D 4820 University Square Huntsville, AL 35816-1822 Telephone: (256) 895-1607 Fax: (256) 895-1602 E-mail: scott.d.millhouse@hnd01.usace.army.mil | 
