Technologies for the Detection and Monitoring of Clandestine Underground Tunnels, Fall 2007 - Project 07-03

The detection of clandestine underground tunnels, tunneling activities, and tunnel use is of strategic interest to the U.S. Whether these activities and features appear on our borders, on American soil, or under U.S. interests abroad, they provide potential gateways for grave and undesirable activity interfering with said interests. The very nature of a clandestine underground tunnel suggests such undesirable activity. Plainly, activities which are welcomed do not require clandestine action. The action of creating hidden tunnels has long been associated with activities such as prison breaks, guerilla tactics in wartime, and transfer of contraband. An exploration of available technologies includes a comparison of sensor modalities and deployment platforms. Analysis will include data handling concerns, with quality of information as the primary determiner of optimal solutions. Finally, a coherent recommendation including a combination of targeted technologies will be proposed along with appropriate political, military, economic, social, and infrastructure and informational support for the proposed set of technologies. The original document contains color images.