2019_programme: SERDP/ESTCP MUNITIONS RESPONSE PROGRAM: UNDERWATER REMEDIATION OF UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE (UXO)

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  • Session: 07. Underwater Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Detection and Remediation
    Organiser(s): Jans Wolfgang, Richardson Mike
  • Lecture: SERDP/ESTCP MUNITIONS RESPONSE PROGRAM: UNDERWATER REMEDIATION OF UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE (UXO) [invited]
    Paper ID: 905
    Author(s): Richardson Michael, Nelson Herbert, Williams Kevin, Calantoni Joe
    Presenter: Richardson Michael
    Presentation type: oral
    Abstract: The Munitions Response program supports the development (SERDP) and demonstration (ESTCP) of innovative technologies that characterize, remediate, and scientifically manage sites affected by military munitions, including unexploded ordnance (UXO) and discarded military munitions (DMM) (https://serdp-estcp.org/Program-Areas/Munitions-Response). The initial emphasis on terrestrial sites has resulted in a substantial decrease in remediation costs by development of advanced sensors and signal-processing methodologies that allow classification of buried UXO. The geophysical inversion of data from electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensors allows separation of harmless sub-surface scrap from dangerous buried UXO reducing costs thus improving the effectiveness of UXO remediation found on the wide variety of contaminated DoD sites. The Munition Response program is now focused on a similar “silver bullet” to reduce costs and improve effectiveness of UXO remediation in the underwater environment. The first stage was the development and evaluation of underwater sensors (acoustic, magnetic, electromagnetic and optical) and platforms (ROV, AUV, towed, airborne) required to detect and classify UXO found in a variety of underwater environments (lakes, rivers, pond, estuaries, and coastal regions). Field and laboratory studies of UXO behavior have been used to develop of a probabilistic expert system model to predict burial, migration, and re-emergence of UXO in coastal, estuarine, freshwater, and riverine environments. Development of new technologies for physical removal or in situ remediation of UXO were also emphasized. The next step include the development of standardized underwater UXO demonstration sites (test beds) to test and evaluate the sensors and platforms that are designed to detect and classify UXO in the underwater environment. In this paper, we will provide a summary of the MR program progress and provide a vision for the way ahead for cost effective and efficient remediation of underwater UXO.
      Download the full paper
  • Corresponding author: Dr Richardson Michael
    Affiliation: Institute for Defense Analyses
    Country: United States
    e-mail:

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