Technologies to Defeat Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's) Navy SBIR FY2004.2 - Quick Response Topics Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2004.2 Topic No.: N04-901 Topic Title: Technologies to Defeat Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's) Proposal No.: N042-901-0195 Firm: All Optronics, Inc. UA Science and Technology Park 9040 S. Rita Rd., Ste. 2250 Tucson, Arizona 85747-9102 Contact: Katherine Liu Phone: (520) 229-1324 Abstract: We propose to develop an optical Improvised Explosive Device (IED) activity detection system that is designed for military applications. The purpose of the Phase I program is to demonstrate the feasibility of our proposed approach. The proposed system is intended to detect tampering with or disturbance of pre-treated areas that are prone to IED deployment. After pre-treatment, optical Images of the target areas will be captured and analyzed to determine if there has been IED related activity. The proposed system can be configured to be carried on a moving vehicle or held by hand. On a vehicle, the detection system will be scanned in order to interrogate a wide target area. The system will function at night and in broad daylight. At the center of our approach is a fluorescent material that will be dispersed over target areas. A filtered, intensified optical detection system will be used to image fluorescence from pre-treated areas and to monitor changes that signal IED deployment. Emphasis for the Phase I program will be on the development of suitable fluorescent materials and on the construction of a breadboard demonstration for proof-of-concept. Benefits: Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's) continue to threaten U.S. forces in overseas operations. Conventional approaches for searching for explosives (i.e. metal detectors) are very slow and unsuitable for regular examination of large areas. As a result, there are many current efforts directed towards the development of better IED sensors. We propose here a unique approach that has several advantages when compared with other techniques. Our approach is to pre-treat areas with a fluorescent material in order to detect subtle changes associated with the deployment of an IED. The pre-treatment will be largely unnoticeable to naked eye (operating outside the range of human vision); and therefore will not likely be spotted by enemy forces. The optical detection system could be carried on a vehicle and scanned to interrogate a large area. The system will be able to detect IED's many meters away, in order to ensure the safety of operators. Higher power systems may also be placed on airplanes or helicopters for investigation of even larger areas. The method can potentially detect IEDs regardless of their composition or their placement. Furthermore, the knowledge that an area may have been treated could intimidate an enemy and/or cause them to re-consider deployment. The proposed optically-based IED activity detection system, once developed, will strengthen the U.S. military's capabilities in the detection of IED's and provide U.S. troops with additional security measures to substantially reduce operation casualties. The technology also has important applications in homeland security. Return