Landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) continue to be a significant humanitarian challenge in conflict zones, threatening lives long after hostilities cease. A cutting-edge solution is emerging from Aerial Solutions, a Belgian company specialising in professional drones.
As the BENELUX distributor of the DJI Enterprise range and the sole distributor in BELUX of Parrot, Elistair, Micasense, and Pix4D, Aerial Solutions provides tailored drone solutions for various industrial sectors, SMEs, and government entities. Their drones serve as valuable tools for surveyors, emergency services, and utility companies, offering RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) that are specifically designed for their intended applications.
Through its drone-based mine detection system, Aerial Solutions is offering a revolutionary approach to demining, demonstrating its capability through successful trials in conflict areas such as Ukraine, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria.
This week, EU Today attended a full demonstration of this technology, hosted by the Aerial Solutions team at DronePort—a former military airfield repurposed as a hub for innovation. Located in the heart of Europe, DronePort provides the ideal environment for companies like Aerial Solutions to develop and showcase cutting-edge technology.
The demonstration, led by Aerial Solutions’ expert drone instructor Jochen Walschaers and attended by an international group of journalists, showcased the company’s pioneering role in developing drone-based demining solutions. These cutting-edge technologies are already being deployed in conflict zones, underscoring Aerial Solutions’ innovative approach to addressing the global threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance.
The Technology: Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Magnetometers
Aerial Solutions’ drone-based system uses two complementary detection technologies: Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and magnetometers. Both are vital for detecting different types of landmines, offering flexible solutions depending on the environment and the nature of the threat.
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
GPR is an essential tool for detecting non-metallic objects, such as plastic landmines, buried under the surface. By emitting radar waves that penetrate the ground and measuring the echoes, GPR provides an image of what’s below the surface. Aerial Solutions’ system employs GPR at various frequencies depending on the size and depth of the mine. The higher the frequency, the better suited the radar is for detecting smaller objects at shallow depths, whereas lower frequencies can detect larger objects buried deeper.
In practical applications, GPR is particularly effective in terrains with consistent soil composition. However, high vegetation or uneven ground can sometimes interfere with the radar’s accuracy. Aerial Solutions’ drone system mitigates this challenge with a flexible configuration that allows the radar to fly closer to the ground, providing improved accuracy even in difficult conditions.
Magnetometer
The magnetometer component is designed to detect metallic objects by sensing deviations in the Earth’s magnetic field. It excels in identifying metallic landmines and UXO, which makes it ideal for areas where metal-based munitions are prevalent. Aerial Solutions’ system is equipped with five sensors that cover a broad area, making it highly efficient for detecting larger objects such as anti-tank mines.
The sensitivity of the magnetometer allows it to detect even small amounts of metal. However, this means that it may also pick up non-threatening metal objects like buried scrap, requiring skilled operators to distinguish between actual threats and harmless items.
The Drones: Autonomous and Highly Accurate
At the heart of Aerial Solutions’ system are autonomous drones, specifically the DJI Matrice 300/350 platforms. These drones are designed for both civil and military use, making them versatile and reliable tools in demining operations. Once the mission is programmed, the drones can fly autonomously, scanning the ground for mines and UXO with a high degree of accuracy.
Crucial to the drones’ performance is the RTK Ground Station, which enhances GPS accuracy to within 5-10 centimetres. This level of precision is critical in mine detection, ensuring that when a threat is identified, it can be marked for safe removal without risking lives.
The system is built for adaptability, allowing for rapid switching between the GPR and magnetometer sensors depending on the mission’s needs. This modular design makes it ideal for complex environments, from open fields to more challenging terrains like forests or urban areas.
Real-World Testing and Success
Aerial Solutions has demonstrated the effectiveness of its system through real-world trials in Ukraine, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria. In Ukraine, the system has been deployed to scan large agricultural areas that are heavily polluted with mines and UXO. Teams on the ground have been trained to operate the system, and the data collected is shared with demining teams for safe, targeted clearance.
The trials in Africa have tested the system in vastly different environments. In Nigeria and Burkina Faso, where dense forests and rugged terrain are common, the drones’ obstacle avoidance systems were crucial in maintaining operational efficiency. Despite the challenges, the system has consistently proven its ability to detect mines, saving both time and human resources in the demining process.
Overcoming Challenges: Jamming and Vegetation
The drone-based system is not without its challenges. One of the key concerns is jamming. In conflict zones, where electronic warfare is prevalent, drones can be vulnerable to signal disruption. While Aerial Solutions’ drones operate on standard communication frequencies, which can be jammed, the company is actively exploring solutions to enhance the system’s resistance to electronic interference.
Another issue is vegetation. High grass or dense undergrowth can reduce GPR accuracy by distorting radar signals. To address this, Aerial Solutions has developed an option to suspend the radar from a pole, allowing it to operate closer to the ground and effectively bypass the vegetation. This advancement helps ensure the system remains highly effective even in difficult conditions.
Future Innovations: AI and Underwater Detection
Looking to the future, Aerial Solutions is focusing on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the system’s detection accuracy. Currently, the analysis of data from GPR and magnetometers is done manually by trained operators. By incorporating machine learning, the system could automatically identify patterns and detect anomalies, drastically reducing the time needed for interpretation and improving the overall detection rate.
Aerial Solutions is also exploring solutions for underwater mine detection. This development would extend the system’s capabilities to rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, allowing for the detection of submerged UXO. While this presents significant challenges, particularly with underwater GPS accuracy, the company is determined to push the boundaries of what its system can achieve.
This article appeared originally at QuestComm.eu, and appears here with their kind permission.
Read also:
Addressing the Environmental and Humanitarian Challenges of Landmines
Click here for more News & Current Affairs at EU Today
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eutoday1049
