Researchers from Binghamton University’s Geophysical Laboratory and Ukrainian Multirotor Technologies LLC (UMT) have announced that their joint research team has completed the first phase of a collaborative research project into the development, testing and field trials of a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)-based aeromagnetic survey system integrating UMT’s Cicada hybrid-powered UAV platform with a Geometrics MFAM Microfabricated Atomic Magnetometer system.
As a result of this collaborative effort, the team developed the integrated Cicada-M aeromagnetic platform, capable of conducting autonomous, long-range, high-accuracy surveys targeting detection and identification of anthropogenic magnetic anomalies associated with Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) objects.
High-resolution magnetic surveying capabilities allow the Cicada-M to be used in humanitarian demining efforts, as an element of wide-area technical surveying, consistent with International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) guidelines. Following extensive internal trials and calibration efforts, the team submitted the Cicada-M system for IMAS certification at the Ukrainian Armed Services Demining Center.
Following extensive trials, at the Demining Center, the Cicada-M was approved and certified for deployment as an IMAS 5.1 technical survey platform, capable of producing actionable aeromagnetic survey data outputs consistent with IMAS guidelines 5.1, parts a, b, c, and d, as defined below:
IMAS 5.1. General The outputs from a technical survey include:
a) definition of any area containing mine/ERW contamination;
b) additional information for planning the initial clearance of any area identified as containing mine/ERW contamination;
c) evidence (gathered through all reasonable effort) which may be sufficient to determine and demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the land users, that an area is free of mine/ERW contamination;
d) additional information for the establishment of priorities for future action.
The full Demining Center Report is available upon request from representatives of the joint research team in English and Ukrainian and can be provided in digital form, with an accompanying multimedia presentation.
The team will continue further research and development of innovative UAV-based geophysical solutions and will seek to publicize its results in peer-reviewed scientific journals, technical journals, conference presentations, and other media.
