Significant concern exists over the release of munitions constituents (MCs) on Department of Defense (DoD) training and testing ranges and the potential for MC to migrate off the range areas. The largest source of MC is low-order ordnance detonations (LOD) and unexploded ordnance (UXO) rounds that are ruptured by other detonations. Therefore, locating individual UXO and LOD impacts as they occur would help identify MC source terms so effects can be proactively mitigated. The overall objective of this project is to demonstrate and validate the Seismic Acoustic Impact Monitoring Assessment (SAIMA) system capabilities to detect, classify, locate, and report in near real-time artillery UXO and LOD events, as well as high-order detonation (HOD) events. The technical objectives are to: (1) leverage the existing prototype SAIMA system at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; (2) produce an industrial build of the SAIMA system for the demonstration that will be more production-ready and facilitate transition into a finished product; (3) demonstrate and evaluate this SAIMA system; and (4) update the current Mission Planning Tool for optimizing the placement of SAIMA sensor array stations.

The SAIMA system applies advanced seismic-acoustic concepts and methods to detect and classify ordnance impacts on active ranges in real time. The current SAIMA system consists of algorithms, software, hardware, and processes to automatically detect, classify, and locate ordnance impacts on a calibrated range in near real-time.  Buried sensor arrays are selectively deployed around a live ordnance impact area in sufficient numbers and locations to detect, classify, locate, and report artillery rounds impacting the ground. Each array station consists of buried sensors deployed in a coherent array and wired to a Smart Node that processes the signals automatically. Processed results are communicated wirelessly to a Remote Data Processing Station (RDPS) (e.g., a laptop or desktop computer) where data from all array stations are further processed and results displayed. Within one minute of impact, the system graphically displays the artillery round impact location on the range map and identifies it as a high explosive (HE) detonation (whether HOD or LOD) or as a UXO. A portion of this project will be to further refine the LOD algorithms so impacts can be identified separately from HOD and UXO impacts.

In Phase I, the project team will analyze available data and use the existing prototype system to collect and analyze additional data, then detect a single dud (inert) round in a live "fire for effect" military training exercise. Phase 2 will build a more "production-ready" demonstration system to install and operate on North Arbuckle Range at Fort Sill for 12 months. Through periodic controlled tests and collecting data during normal live fire artillery training missions, this project will show how the SAIMA system can automatically and consistently classify UXO (inert/dud), LOD, and HOD round impacts, locate the impacts within 2 meters, display the results on the RDPS within one minute, and record all events for later access.

Deploying operational SAIMA systems on DoD live ordnance ranges will gradually reduce continuing contributions to the UXO/MC cleanup challenge to zero. Therefore, the SAIMA system will make the current UXO/MC remediation problem tractable, providing precise knowledge to improve proactive management going forward. The cost benefits are derived principally from accrued savings over the long-term. Solving the UXO/MC cleanup will, over the long-term, reduce and eventually eliminate DoD funds needed for post-closure cleanup, yielding annual savings of hundreds of millions of dollars. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2015)