Real time imaging for IED detection placed on unmanned tracked vehicle

Raytheon UK and Estonian UGV developer Milrem have merged an IED detection system with a unmanned tracked drone. Raytheon’s GroundEye sensor system was integrated onto the THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) developed by Milrem in Estonia.

GroundEye sensors provides real-time imaging that can show the size, shape and orientation of explosive ordnance threats, including camouflaged or buried IED’s, without disturbing the ground. It is independent of any physical attributes of the emplaced device and is equally effective against targets that contain high, low or zero metal content.

GroundEye represents a new approach to IED detection, bringing the ability to confirm and diagnose buried threats. The sensor combines several sensing methods, covering a large field of view, to detect, confirm and diagnose the existence of a suspected IED over a large area. The GroundEye performs such mission using a compact, lightweight system, compared to existing Ground Penetration Radars (GPR) that require large antennae operating close to the surface. Each object detected is geotagged and marked for further action. As a modular sensor and open architecture, it can be integrated with existing sensors and concepts of operations (CONOPS), including GPR, Non-Linear Junction Detectors (NLJD) or command Wire detection systems, allowing gradual induction into existing, operational C-IED methodologies.

The GroundEye IED sensor mounted on the MILREM robot. The sensor comprises a two laser arrays and high resolution camera, and near surface sensor, all sweeping the path forward and below the robot over a wide area. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update

SOURCE – Defense Update

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