IED Command Wire Detection with Multi-Channel Drone Radar

Detection of command wires is one of several ways of localizing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Wires are currently detected with hand-held detectors close to the ground, which is dangerous and very time-consuming. This paper describes a new system and method to detect wires in the field much more efficiently, using a multi-channel wide-angle Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mounted on a drone. The radar system is circular, with a 25 cm diameter, and a weight of less than 1 kg. Experimental results with wire pairs laid out in the field demonstrate the detectability of thin wires at the expected angles.