Simulation and testing results for a sub-bottom imaging sonar

The problem of detecting buried unexploded ordnance (UXO) is addressed with a sensor deployed from a shallow-draft surface vessel. This sonar system produces three-dimensional synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) imagery of both surficial and buried UXO across a range of environments. The sensor’s hardware design was based in part upon data created using a hybrid modeling approach that combined results from separate environmental scattering and target scattering models. This hybrid model produced synthetic sensor data where the sensor/environment/target space could be modified to explore the expected operating conditions. The simulated data were also used to adapt a set of existing signal processing algorithms for formation of three-dimensional acoustic imagery. Recently, the sonar system has been integrated to a test platform, and experiments have been conducted at a trial site in the Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir near Howard, PA. This test site has been prepared with several buried man-made objects. Initial results show that fully buried targets can be detected. This research was supported in part by the U.S. Department of Defense, through the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP).