Ground-penetrating radar and similar technologies sought to detect and mark IEDs and other buried threats

The U.S. Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division in Indian Head, Md., is surveying the aerospace and defense electronics industry to find companies able to produce technologies such as ground-penetrating radar and new metal detection technologies to detect and mark buried explosives in real time and in different kinds of soil. Navy explosives-disposal experts issued a sources sought notice Wednesday (N4279410SS006) for the Remote Buried UXO/IED Detection And Marking System.

Companies interested should be able to design and build systems to detect unexploded ordnance (UXO) and improvised explosive device (IED) threats that are made of low-metallic and non-metallic materials, as well as detect non-ferrous, non-magnetic, and non-metal objects commonly used in IEDs.

Navy explosives-disposal experts want this system to have a low false alarm rate and high probability of detection. Research work should culminate in a man-portable, robot-mounted, user-friendly system that can serve as prototype of a production system that can be integrated into current Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Man Transportable Robotics System (MTRS) MK1/Packbot and MK2/Talon systems.

The system should help explosives ordnance disposal technicians conduct rapid marking and detection of UXOs and IEDs from a remote position. This prototype system should be finished and ready for evaluation within one year.