Multi-optical mine detection system (MOMS) - Final report

The overall objective for MOMS was to provide knowledge and competence for fast detection of mines, especially surface laid mines. The focus of the MOMS project was assessment of concepts; to analyze and describe the possibilities and shortcomings of various sensor combinations and concepts. A number of sensor concepts for active and passive EO sensing have been described. , The spatial resolution of the sensor must allow for having several pixels on the target. Also for evaluating spectral similarities between objects, the resolution must be good so that there are enough data for computing sufficient statistics for each object. Detection of mines in vegetation is mostly easier when the sensor looks down. Airborne sensor suites should combine high resolution with large surface coverage rate. The optimum system will most probably be a combination of airborne (UAV) and ground vehicle sensors in cooperation. Among the signal processing techniques considered, anomaly detection emerges as a key component in a system concept. In addition, this technique can potentially be used for detection of other objects, e.g. IED's. Sensor data fusion has been shown to be successful and a way to decrease the number of false alarms for detection. For classification we believe that an operator is needed. Automatic target recognition is a support but the final decision/ verification of a mine or IED threat should be done by a human. Most of the sensors, methods and signal processing techniques used in MOMS also have high relevance for the IED problem. In the report an overview of current technology and development trends is given.