Detecting Sea Mines With A Fast Fluorescence Laser System On An Unmanned Surface Vehicle

Abstract

Autonomous marine vehicles are becoming more frequently outfitted with advanced sensing systems for monitoring ocean conditions. Sensors deployed onboard USVs can be used for environmental monitoring, search and rescue operations, detecting foreign objects, bathymetry, as well as many other applications. In this work we cover the use of a USV as a platform to deploy a Fast Fluorescence sensor system to detect sea mines in the ocean. The deployment of sea mines in the ocean by nation states and nonstate actors is of growing concern for commercial, recreational, and military operations around the world. Sea mines have the potential to damage expensive vessels and cause injury and loss of life. They are often deployed at or near the surface where traditional sea mine detection methods are less effective. The Fast Fluorescence sensor system’s effective range is from the surface of the water to a depth of three meters. The sensor system sits inside custom housings that are rigidly attached to the USV. In addition to the sensors and housings, the system’s payload includes everything necessary to utilize the sensors remotely and independent of the USV: communications, battery power, computer, etc. We first demonstrate the whole sensor system can be powered by a battery and operate remotely all while not overheating. An antenna allows the system to communicate with a ground station up to 1 km away and has enough bandwidth to stream live video. The housings provide protection for the sensors and electronics from water and the weather and can be modified for various sensors. We then prove the whole integrated system is capable of detecting targets in shallow water and collecting data for more than one hour. These targets are made of plastic and metal materials similar to what sea mines are made of.