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Laser Imaging Drone To Hunt Out Unexploded Bombs In War-Torn Nations
An anonymous reader writes Aerial imaging firm Arch Aerial has discussed its hopes to deploy drones to map out mine fields and locations littered with unexploded bombs from historical warfare. CEO Ryan Baker suggested that his company wants to start the program in Laos, the world's most heavily bombed country. The 'octocopter' technology will work using a remote laser imaging platform called LIDAR to analyze fields and identify sites where UXO is likely to be uncovered. The sensor technology LIDAR is a crucial system in the design as it can easily see through vegetation and creates detailed maps of the terrain. Surveyors will be then be able to use the maps to look for topographical signs which suggest past bombing activity.
I can't speak to jungles, but in local wooded areas in the US there are enough holes in the canopy to get some lidar data through the foliage. One certainly gets more with leaf off, but leaf on isn't a complete deal breaker.
The US dropped 2,500,000 tons of bombs on Laos during Vietnam to try to deal with the NVA infiltration and supply of VC via Laos. They're searching for both mines and unexploded bombs.
"Lack of speed can be overcome. In the worst case by patience." --Znork
Normal LIDAR has the ability to filter for 'first return' or 'last return' ehich will use the portion of reflected signal arriving a bit later. This removes reflections from above ground, leaving the model cleaner. However this assumes some gaps in the multi layers of vegetation. Open wooded areas lend themselves better to this then tropical jungle with its 3 or more layers of vegetation. This has been an issue with LIDAR from early days (at least as early as 2003).
Is this just bad information (using something other than LiDAR) or just a stupid idea?
It's a fund raising pitch from a guy who sells aerial photography drones. He doesn't seem to have any relevant engineering training.
Which class of laser are they using which can penetrate the canopy of a jungle?
The standard is 1064 nm infrared and 532 nm green (actually 1064nm doubled).
The IR is absorbed by water, hence the inclusion of a 532nm wavelength laser.
With a high enough pulse rate, you can penetrate multiple layers of canopy and get excellent resolution.
Also for the larger areas covered it seems like a fixed wing design might be more appropriate.
Fixed wing solutions are neither better nor worse than any other solution.
Planes need a plane, an airfield, a mechanic, fuel, a pilot, and an operator for the LIDAR system.
The benefit of using an octo-copter is that all you need is electricity to charge it.
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