Potential of radar technology for detection and classification of land mines - experiences from the project "Land mine systems, detection and neutralization"

In this report we present the potential of radar technology for detection and classification of land mines. Today, the most important tool for mine detection is the metal detector. With help of the modern metal detector, the absolute majority of the existing land mines can be detected. This sensitivity is however gained together with a tremendous increase in sensitivity for other metallic objects and fragments in the ground. This leads to a large number of false alarms which all have to be handled with care and precaution. The combination of radar technology and signal processing gives large opportunities to avoid a large part of these false alarms, and leads to safer, faster and less expensive mine clearance. In the report we discuss the context, theoretical results, experimental implementations and real results from blind tests performed in the field in Croatia and Eksjö during 2003-2004. A discussion of other potential applications concludes the report. The results demonstrate that broad band radar systems have great potential to detect and classify land mines in all kinds of terrain and weather, around the clock and throughout the year.