Advances in the Detection and Monitoring of Underwater Munitions Mobility (Web-based)
Management practices at underwater Munitions Response Sites (MRS) must focus on detecting, monitoring, and when necessary, mitigating legacy munitions. However, a major challenge in underwater MRS management is the potential for munitions to mobilize and become buried, which complicates detection and monitoring. The project team developed specialized detection and monitoring technologies for dynamic underwater environments and tested them through laboratory and field experiments. These technologies include instrumented surrogate munitions, known as Mobility Monitoring Units, and specialized acoustic receivers integrated into autonomous surface vehicles for remote detection and localization. The presentation will highlight results from a year-long study at Reid State Park, Maine. Long-duration monitoring methods applied during the study will be discussed, along with their role in improving predictive models of munition mobility and burial. These advancements support more informed decision-making and improved management of underwater MRS, benefiting DoW efforts to address legacy munitions challenges.