Geophex GEM-3. The GEM-3 Electromagnetic (EM) Sensor is a handheld, 3.6 kg prototype with digital display and audible tone. It measures the broadband spectrum signal resulting from low frequency interrogation (90 to 24,000 Hz) of buried metallic objects. The resulting return for each target is compared to a stored library of known or "taught" landmine spectra, similar to fingerprints. The sensor operates in both the time and frequency domain, adding an extra dimension to the discrimination capability. This process is intended to reduce the false alarm rate of conventional electromagnetic sensors.

Energy Focused Ground Penetrating Radar (EFGPR). The EFGPR is an effort that leveraged off the Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector (VMMD) Advanced Technology Demonstration to provide an added capability for detecting AP mines. Modifications made in 1999 included redesign of timing and control circuitry to improve stability and redesign of transmit and receive antennas for greater bandwidth. Field trials of this modified system were conducted in January 2000. Based upon good performance in detecting both AT and AP mines, a man portable unit is now being developed. New features will include: a lightweight cart with a forward-mounted or foldable 1 meter EFGPR array; sensor standoff greater than 25 cm; one person operation with marking system; built-in test, automated calibration, power up testing, and continuous function checks during operation; and multi ATR fusion. Field trials of this man portable unit will begin in early 2001.

Acoustic Laser Doppler Vibrometer (ALDV). This is a cooperative effort between the Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate and the University of Mississippi to investigate the use of an ALDV for locating mines. Recent field trials have been extremely encouraging: 95% probability of detection, 0.025 false alarms per square meter, target location accuracy within 1 cm. Initial data sets showed this technique to be relatively insensitive to clutter and 8-meter standoff detection was also demonstrated. The present approach with a single focused laser beam is too slow for use as a primary sensor. Several alternate technologies are being pursued. These include holographic techniques such as speckle interferometry and shearography.