Magnetic anomaly sensing system for mine countermeasures using high mobility autonomous sensing platforms

Presents field test results from a new vector magnetometer-tensor gradiometer sensor system that is being developed, with support, localization and classification (DLC) of ferrous mines in surf zone/very shallow water environments. The experimental results demonstrate that the gradient contraction approach will provide autonomous sensing platforms with robust, three-dimensional mine detection and localization capabilities at ranges of several metres and at all angles of approach to mine-like magnetic targets. The sensor system's gradient contraction based target localization approach is particularly appropriate for DLC of magnetic targets from high mobility autonomous sensing platforms such as underwater bottom vehicles (or Navy divers) that frequently undergo large changes in velocity and orientation as they search for underwater and buried mines.