On the Detection of Drifting Sea Mines using Above- and Underwater Sensors
conference paper
Small drifting objects can be a big threat to surface ships, especially when the objects are explosion hazards like sea mines that have become detached from their moorings. Timely detection of such objects is crucial in order to be able to perform adequate evasive manoeuvres. However, the vertical position of drifting mines is a serious challenge for detection with both above- and underwater sensors, as the surface objects are usually only partly above and under water, and surface effects such as wave occlusion and scattering apply to both sides. On the other hand, above- and underwater sensors may complement each other as poor detection from above may imply good detection from below, and vice versa. This paper reports on sea trial results for the detection of drifting sea mines using a prototype surface-scanning infrared lidar from above and operational mine-hunting sonar systems from below. For the sonar experiments, both a forwardlooking hull-mounted sonar and an upward-looking self-propelled variable-depth sonar have been applied. Spherical exercise mines were used as mine-like objects, painted in a realistic warshot colour for the optical tests.
TNO Identifier
410629
Source title
6th Global Conference Maritime Systems and Technology - MAST 2010, 9-11 November 2010, Rome, Italy
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