Presentation on US research and development efforts relating to munitions in the underwater environment

1. Recent US Work Relating to
Munitions in the Underwater Environment
Geoff Carton, CALIBRE Systems, Inc
4th International Dialogue on Underwater Munitions
San Juan, Puerto Rico - October 2012

2. Agenda
• Army Environmental Quality Technology
Program
• Department of Defense Identification of
Research Needs
• Strategic Environmental Research and
Development (SERDP) and Environmental
Security Technology Certification Program
(ESTCP) Research Projects
• Conclusions
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3. Army Environmental Quality
Technology Program

4. Transport and Fate of Arsenic in Marine Sediments
• Objectives:
– Determine the partitioning of arsenic between deep
sea sediments and seawater to evaluate the mobility
of As (III) derived from lewisite
– Determine potential for bioaccumulation of arsenic in
benthic macroinvertebrates exposed to contaminated
sediments
– Evaluate the ability of test organisms to excrete
accumulated arsenic when Nerve agent
(GB, VX, GA),
returned to clean sediments Mustard, 52%
1%
• University of Hawaii is Arsenic, AsCl3,
Cl2S2, 2%
Lewisite, 41%
conducting bench top Phosgene, 0%
Unspecified
experiments under Blood agents
(CK, AC), 1%
agent, 3%
contract to the Army
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5. Imagery Analysis Software
• Detection software to reduce workload and increase
speed of underwater target imagery analysis (video)
• User tunable software to cue images for analysis of
imagery by human analyst
• Software reduces the video stream to frames
containing candidate objects of interest
– Automated mode to
generate detection list Prometheus Inc.
– Interactive mode for
adjustment of selection
parameters
• Available to DoD and
DoD contractors
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6. Assessment of Technology to Locate Legacy Munitions
• Assess existing technologies and methods for
underwater wide area assessment at two sites on
the US Atlantic coast
• Project Strategy:
– Use archival materials to establish initial survey area
– Run non-overlapping, autonomous underwater vehicle
(AUV), SONAR transects for reconnaissance survey
– Ground truth with Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)
to ensure targets of interest are munitions
– Conduct detailed survey with overlapping transects to
better define boundary and better estimate the
densities of munitions present
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7. Review of Aquatic Toxicology of Munitions Constituents
• Assemble existing peer reviewed and other high
quality data on aquatic ecotoxicity of energetic
munitions constituents (MC)
• Review of:
– Fate and toxicity of MC in:
 Water
 Sediment
– Bioconcentration, biotransformation and
dietary uptake of MC
– Exposure and effects
assessment using realistic
exposure scenarios
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8. Corrosion Analysis
• Develop a scientific basis for predictive modeling for
corrosion of munitions in the marine environment
• Evaluate corrosion products and, if present, any
calcareous deposits associated with recovered munitions
• Identify metals used in munitions and develop a
corrosion profile to estimate localized and average
corrosion rates
• Evaluate normal and galvanic corrosion on munitions or
metallic surrogates
• Analyzing munitions recovered from
Ordnance Reef (HI-06) and may add
study of munitions parts from HI-05
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9. Ordnance Reef (HI-06) Projects
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s
(NOAA) survey (2006) obtained screening-level data
to assess potential explosives safety and human
health risks
• 2009 University of Hawaii conducted environmental
investigation to address data gaps (in final review)
– Focus on human health
– Screening level ecological risk
assessment
• NOAA current monitoring and
trajectory modeling (in final review)
• Technology demonstration (2011)
• Follow-up investigation (ongoing)
• Corrosion assessment (ongoing)
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10. Ordnance Reef (HI-06) Projects – NOAA
NOAA efforts:
• Ocean current monitoring to understand fate of
contaminants
– Shallow (under 300 foot) and deep (about 8,000 foot)
sensors collected data over one year
– Model fate of potential release
– Incorporate data into circulation 3D fate and transport
models
– Report expected 2012
• Pre-removal survey completed, and relative risk of
damage determined so impacts to coral during
munitions removal were minimized
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11. NOAA Current Study and Modeling
Deep Water Site
~ 8,000 feet
ADCP
ADCP Acoustic Doppler Current
Profiler (ADCP)
Acoustic Release
Shallow Water Site
ADCP ~ 300 feet
ADCP Trawl resistant platform
Anchor with ADCP
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12. NOAA Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) Study
• Results used in trajectory model
• 4 shallow water ADCPs at
Pacific Ocean
Ordnance Reef (HI-06)
Ordnance Reef
Munitions Disposal • 5 deep water ADCPs on string
at HI-01 (8,000 feet deep)
Site
HI - 06
• Measured currents for one year
4 Ordnance Reef
ADCP Sensors • Report in final review
Deep Water • Preliminary Ordnance Reef
(HI-06) findings:
ADCP Sensors
Deep Water
Munitions – Velocities most often between
0.3 to 0.6 knots
Disposal Site
HI - 01
– High bias towards currents flowing
along-shore
– Currents are driven by tides and are
asymmetrical | 12

13. NOAA Coral Avoidance and Minimization of Injury Plan
• NOAA was brought in early to aid in developing best
management practices for technology demonstration
• Pre-removal survey determined relative risk of impacts
to coral and provided baseline of condition
• Surveys led to more efficient use of field time
• Partnership with trustee allows them to protect
resources better
Relative Risk to Significant Coral Resources
Coral Majority of area Coral colonies Coral colonies Presence of
sand or present, but abundant, little large coral
uncolonized substantial space space for ROV colonies
Relief hard bottom to for ROV
Little to no
Low Low Low to moderate High
relief
Low vertical
Low Low to moderate Moderate to high High
relief
High vertical
Low Low to moderate Moderate to high High
relief
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14. Ordnance Reef (HI-06) Technology Demonstrations
• Army Technology Demonstrations (2011)
consisted of:
– Commercial technology adapted from oil exploration
technology for the remote recovery of sea disposed
munitions
– NOAA input used to minimize impacts of recovery
on coral
– Barge mounted technology (existing and innovative) for
destruction of recovered munitions
• Summary of demonstrations published in the Marine
Technology Society Journal (January 2012)
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15. 2011 Ordnance Reef Technology Demonstrations
• Remotely Operated Underwater Munitions Recovery
System (ROUMRS)
• Explosive Hazard Demilitarization System (EHDS)
• Underwater Portable Acoustic Contraband Detector (PACD)
• In-situ trace explosive detection (Hammerhead)
• Corrosion assessment
Proprietary Data Notice: This presentation shall not be disclosed outside the government and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed -in whole or in part -for any purpose | 15

16. ROUMRS

17. ROUMRS Concept of Operations
ROUMRS Process
Steps
Deploy ROV, document site and
stage salvage basket on seafloor
Transit ROV to UWMM, tentatively
identify and recover to ROV
hopper
Retract ROV hopper and transit to
salvage basket
Transfer UWMM from ROV hopper
to salvage basket
Once salvage basket is full, rig lift
bag and towline and use ROV to
activate lift
Surface craft tows submerged
salvage basket to DSV for
munitions demilitarization (EHDS)
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18. ROUMRS Data Collection and Management
35 Gigabytes of daily data, including: video,
pictures, GPS location, navigation, depth,
munitions description, size, coral condition,
and actions
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19. ROUMRS Operations – Underwater Recovery

20. ROUMRS
During the HI-06 Demonstration:
• ROUMRS operated 21 straight
days with about 8 hours of
maintenance time
• Many munitions were cemented
to seafloor and could not be
recovered with tools available
• Covered approximately 10 acres
– ROV Hopper malfunctioned and
needs redesign
– Both manipulators should have curved
intermeshing claw for munitions work
– Navigation and data storage
processes need improvements
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21. EHDS Concept of Operations
EHDS Process
Steps
Lift Salvage Basket on to
DSV deck
Identify and inventory
salvage basket contents
X-Ray and segregate
munitions by size and fill
Use remotely operated,
water cooled, band saw
to cut munitions
Load RCBO and heat to
appropriate temperature
to degrade energetics
Inspect and certify
treated materials as safe
or retreat, recycle scrap
Lower salvage basket
into water for reuse
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22. EHDS Identification and Remote Opening
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23. EHDS
During the HI-06 Demonstration:
:
• EHDS operated 16 straight days
• Remote band saw and x-ray
worked without failure.
• Saw operations constrained by
dive boats and weekends with Fluffy ash from successful treatment of
50/50 TNT/Ammonium nitrate
people in safety arcs
• Ovens operated all 16 days with
about 24 hours of down time due
to equipment failure and
maintenance
• Equipment repaired in field or
remotely via cell phone modem to
complete the project Fire during treatment of 19 lbs TNT | 23

24. ROUMRS and EHDS Demonstration Results
• ROUMRS surveyed, investigated locations and
recovered munitions
• ROV is capable of using a variety of tools and supporting
scientific research efforts
• ROUMRS recovered
– 74 munitions (138 items encrusted to bottom)
– 2,300 small arms
• EHDS was successful, proving the concept is effective and
a viable tool for future use
• Recommended improving EHDS resilience and controls
• EHDS destroyed:
– Munitions: 74
– Pounds of explosives 330
– Pounds of propellant 135
– Small arms 2,300 | 24

25. Portable Acoustic Contraband Detector (PACD)
• Non-invasive measurement and calculation of acoustic
velocity through the contents of container
• Comparison to database to identify content
• More robust underwater membrane necessary
• Successful in identifying fill of a large
munition in situ, verified at surface
Projectile Type Fill Material Calibrated PACD Modified PACD
in Tub at Surface 21m depth
5-inch Armor Wet Explosive D 1.32 +/- 0.50 1.10 +/- 0.46
Piercing (breached)
5-inch High TNT-based 2.46 +/- 0.18 Not measured
Explosive explosive
5-inch Armor Dry Explosive D No signal Not measured
Piercing (intact)
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26. In Situ Trace Explosive Detection (Hammerhead)
• Biologically inspired fluorescent polymer sensor
array, uses preconcentration to detect at low levels
• Detection and discrimination of select explosives
with detection limits of 10 - 100 parts per
trillion (ppt)
• Prototype operable to depths of 100 feet
• Deployed on ROUMRS at Ordnance Reef (HI-06)
• Sampled water near 12 different munitions
– No detection of explosives
– Non-detects (detection limit 10-100 ppt) were confirmed
by laboratory analysis of a trap at the outlet of the sensor
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27. Hawaii Undersea Munitions Assessment (HUMMA)
• Develop efficient and cost effective
method for characterizing sea disposal
sites at depths over 350 meters
• Conducted South of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
– SONAR survey of about 70 km2
– Manned submersibles and ROVs
– Seawater, sediment and biota analyzed
– No confirmed detections of energetics or chemical agent
• HUMMA’s 2010 report is available at
(www.hummaproject.com)
• Expanded SONAR survey completed in 2011 to south
of original study area, additional 470 km2 area covered
• Sampling at chemical bombs planned for 2012/2013
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28. HUMMA Photographs
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29. DoD Identification of
Research Needs

30. Identifying Needs
Strategic Environmental Research and
Development (SERDP) and Environmental
Security Technology Certification Program
(ESTCP)
• 2007 – Technology Needs for the Characterization,
Management, and Remediation of Military Munitions
in Underwater Environments
• 2009 – Munitions in the Underwater Environment:
State of the Science and Knowledge Gaps
www.serdp.org/featured-initiatives/munitions-resposne-initiatives/muniitons-in-the-
underwater-environment
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31. 2007 Critical Research Needs
• SONAR/Acoustic Technologies
– Characterize acoustic response of munitions and
bottom clutter
– Improve understanding of environment’s acoustic
response
• Electromagnetic, Magnetic and Optical
Technologies
– Improved methods for discrimination and classification
– Enhanced methods for noise compensation
• Platform and Navigation Technologies - Study of
surf zone environment
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32. 2007 Critical Demonstration Needs
• SONAR/Acoustic Technologies
– Data collection with existing sensors to detect munitions
that are proud on bottom
– Improve understanding of environment’s acoustic
response
• Electromagnetic, Magnetic and Optical
Technologies - Demonstration of electromagnetic
induction and magnetic sensors
• Platform and Navigation Technologies
– Demonstration sites
– Diverless platforms
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33. 2009 Priority Recommendations
• Field work at several worst-case sites to:
– Support ecological risk assessment
– Collect water, sediment and tissue samples
– Conduct modeling
• Develop standard approach to:
– Field data collection
– Support comprehensive risk assessment
• Increase communication between organizations
conducting research through periodic meetings
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34. SERDP/ESTCP
Research Projects

35. SERDPESTCP Ongoing Research
Project Titles Completion
Inversion of High Frequency Acoustic Data for Sediment Properties Needed for the Detection and Classification of UXOs Ongoing
Lead Organization: University of Washington
Ecological Risk Assessment of Munitions Compounds on Coral and Coral Reef Health Ongoing
Lead Organization: NOAA
Photochemical Transformation of Munitions Constituents in Marine Waters Ongoing
Lead Organization: U.S. Naval Academy
Tracking the Uptake, Translocation, Cycling, and Metabolism of Munitions Compounds in Coastal Marine Ecosystems Ongoing
using Stable Isotopic Tracer
Lead Organization: University of Connecticut
TNT Incorporation and Mineralization by Natural Microbial Assemblages at Frontal Boundaries between Water Masses and Ongoing
in Underlying Sediments in Coastal Ecosystems
Lead Organization: Naval Research Laboratory
Defining Munitions Constituent Source Terms in Aquatic Environments on DoD Ranges Ongoing
Lead Organization: Navy SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific
Acoustic Response of Underwater Munitions Near a Sediment Interface: Measurement-Model Comparisons and Ongoing
Classification Schemes
Lead Organization: University of Washington
Demonstration of ROV-Based Underwater Electromagnetic Array Technology Ongoing
Lead Organization: Sky Research, Inc
Vortex Lattice UXO Mobility Model Integration Ongoing
Lead Organization: Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Detection of Underwater Unexploded Ordnance in Mud Ongoing
Lead Organization: TNO Defence
Munitions Detection Using Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Equipped with Advanced Sensors Ongoing
Lead Organization: Naval Surface Warfare Center - Panama City Division
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36. SERDPESTCP Ongoing Research
Project Titles Completion
Investigation of an EMI-Based Marine Classification System Ongoing
Lead Organization: SAIC
Data and Processing Tools for Sonar Classification of Underwater UXO Ongoing
Lead Organization: Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)
Structural Acoustic UXO Detection and Identification in Marine Environments Ongoing
Lead Organization: Naval Research Laboratory
Real-Time Handheld Magnetometer Array Ongoing
Lead Organization: Geometrics
Innovative Processing, Feature Development, and Specialized Data Collection for Underwater Munitions Advanced Classifier Ongoing
Design
Lead Organization: BAE SYSTEMS Advanced Information Technologies
Exploiting VLF/LF Electric and Magnetic Fields for Underwater Munitions Characterization Ongoing
Lead Organization: Sky Research, Inc.
Vortex Lattice UXO Mobility Model for Reef-Type Range Environments Ongoing
Lead Organization: Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Munitions and Explosives of Concern Detection System Ongoing
Lead Organization: Weston Solutions, Inc
Defining Munitions Constituent Source Terms in Aquatic Environments on DoD Ranges Ongoing
Lead Organization: Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command
Full-Scale Measurement and Modeling of the Acoustic Response of Proud and Buried Munitions at Frequencies from 1-30 kHz Ongoing
Lead Organization: University of Washington
Blow-in-Place Pressure Reduction (Covering Technology) Ongoing
Lead Organization: Navy SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific
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37. SERDPESTCP Completed Research
Project Titles Completion
Mitigation of Underwater UXO Blow-in-Place Explosions Ongoing
Lead Organization: Navy SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific
Underwater Acoustic Positioning Systems for MEC Detection and Reacquisition Operations Ongoing
Lead Organization: U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville
Sonar Detection and Classification of Underwater UXO and Environmental Parameters Jul 2012
Lead Organization: Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)
Superconducting Magnetic Tensor Gradiometer System for Detection of Underwater Military Munitions Jun 2012
Lead Organization: Sky Research, Inc
Demonstration of the Laser Line Scan System for UXO Characterization Apr 2012
Lead Organization: Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR)
Wide Area Assessment for Marine UXO Mar 2012
Lead Organization: Tetra Tech EC, Inc
Underwater Electric Field Sensor for UXO Detection Dec 2011
Lead Organization: QUASAR Federal Systems
Electromagnetic Induction Modeling for UXO Detection and Discrimination Underwater Dec 2011
Lead Organization: Dartmouth College
Demonstration of an Ultrasonic Method for Three-Dimensional Visualization of Shallow Buried Underwater Objects Jul 2011
Lead Organization: Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR)
A Low Frequency Electromagnetic Sensor for Underwater Geolocation May 2011
Lead Organization: Dartmouth College
Belief Theoretic Multi-Sensory Data Fusion for Underwater UXO Identification Feb 2011
Lead Organization: University of Miami
Wide-Area Detection and Identification of Underwater UXO Using Structural Acoustic Sensors Feb 2011
Lead Organization: Naval Research Laboratory
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38. SERDPESTCP Completed Research
Project Titles Completion
Underwater Simultaneous Electromagnetic Induction and Magnetometer System Feb 2011
Lead Organization: U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville
Buried Underwater Munitions and Clutter Discrimination Oct 2010
Lead Organization: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
Marine UXO Characterization Based on Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Technology Jul 2010
Lead Organization: Sky Research, Inc
Operational Evaluation of a New Acoustic Technique for UXO Filler Identification Jun 2010
Lead Organization: University of Denver
Efficient Shallow Underwater UXO Retrieval Jun 2010
Lead Organization: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
Detection and Classification of Buried UXO and Determination of Seafloor Parameters in Littoral Environments Using Apr 2010
Resonance Scattering Sonar
Lead Organization: Array Information Technology
Deep Water Munitions Detection System Mar 2010
Lead Organization: SAIC
UXO Detection and Characterization in the Marine Environment Dec 2009
Lead Organization: SAIC
Sensor Phenomenology and Feature Development for Improved Sonar-Based Detection and Discrimination of Underwater Dec 2009
UXO
Lead Organization: BAE SYSTEMS Advanced Information Technologies
Underwater UXO Multi-Sensor Data Base Collection Jul 2009
Lead Organization: Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)
Assessing Sonar Performance Against Underwater UXO May 2009
Lead Organization: Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)
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39. SERDPESTCP Completed Research
Project Titles Completion
Biotic and Abiotic Attenuation of Nitrogenous Energetic Compounds (NEC) in Coastal Waters and Sediments Sep 2008
Lead Organization: Naval Research Laboratory
Characterization of Freshwater Electromagnetic Subbottom Sediment Properties and Target Responses for Detection of Sep 2008
UXO with Ground-Penetrating Radar
Lead Organization: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
Predicting the Mobility and Burial of Underwater UXO Using the Modified VORTEX Model May 2008
Lead Organization: Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center (NAVFAC)
Modeling for Sensor Evaluation in Underwater UXO Test Beds Jan 2008
Lead Organization: Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)
Dredging Equipment Modifications for Detection and Removal of Ordnance Dec 2006
Lead Organization: Navy SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific
Seismic Imaging of UXO-Contaminated Underwater Sites Oct 2005
Lead Organization: Array Information Technology
Broadband Electromagnetic Detection and Discrimination of Underwater UXO Aug 2005
Lead Organization: Geophex, Ltd.
Detection of UXO in Underwater Sites Using Towed-Array Resistivity/ Induced Polarization Measurements Apr 2004
Lead Organization: Zonge Engineering, Inc
Technology Needs for Underwater UXO Search and Discrimination Oct 2003
Lead Organization: SAIC
Low-Order, Underwater Detonation (UNDET) Study Apr 2002
Lead Organization: Naval EOD Technology Division
Mobile Underwater Debris Survey System (MUDSS) Apr 2000
Classification and Mapping of Underwater UXO Dec 1997
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40. Conclusion…
• Significant effort is being expended to improve
technologies and techniques for the detection and
discrimination of munitions in the underwater
environment
• Efforts to understand the fate, transport and
toxicity of munitions constituents are continuing
• Expansion of the body of peer reviewed literature
will aid in development of sound risk management
policy
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41. Geoff Carton
CALIBRE Systems, Inc
Alexandria, Virginia, USA
Geoff.carton@calibresys.com
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