An Accessible Seeded Field for Humanitarian Mine Action Research

Authors

Jasper Baur, Demining Research Community; Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia UniversityFollow
Gabriel Steinberg, Demining Research CommunityFollow
John Frucci, Oklahoma State UniversityFollow
Anthony Brinkley, Oklahoma State UniversityFollow

Abstract

The detection of buried and surface explosive remnants of war (ERW) is a critical task in the land release process.[1] The goal of this project is to create a long-term study site and benchmark to accelerate humanitarian mine action (HMA) research for the detection of buried ERW, including unexploded ordnance (UXO), landmines, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). A crucial step in transitioning experimental detection techniques from the lab to the field is conducting rigorous field testing in a realistic and safe environment.[2]^,[3],[4] With most academic institutions lacking access to stockpiles of inert ERW to conduct testing and prioritizing scientific publications over real-world field applicability, this step is too often neglected. The result is that most HMA studies lack sufficient benchmarking among detection variables such as depth of burial, size and diversity of ERW, and environmental context, making it nearly impossible to objectively compare the effectiveness of different instruments and sensors. Consequently, the humanitarian demining community is less willing to accept novel methods and instead relies largely on traditional approaches. To address this issue, the Demining Research Community, (a US-based non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the field of HMA though bridging academic research in accordance with demining organizations), in partnership with the Global Consortium for Explosive Hazard Mitigation at Oklahoma State University (OSU), have seeded a comprehensive field with 143 diverse items including landmines, submunitions, UXO, and IEDs located at OSU’s Center for Fire and Explosives, Forensic Investigation, Training and Research (CENFEX) range in Pawnee, Oklahoma.

Recommended Citation

Baur, Jasper; Steinberg, Gabriel; Frucci, John; and Brinkley, Anthony (2023) "An Accessible Seeded Field for Humanitarian Mine Action Research," The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction: Vol. 27 : Iss. 3 , Article 2.
Available at: https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol27/iss3/2