This proposal is addressed to the problem of detecting and disabling land mines using focused microwave radiation. The concept is directed primarily to subsurface anti-tank mines of either dielectric or metallic composition, although it is also applicable to surface mines. The innovative concept proposed is the use of a digitally focused and scanned microwave array radar detection system using bistatic oblique forward scattering to reduce ground surface reflec tions. the system forms a high resolution three-dimensional image of the medium which allows a mine to be both detected and identified by its image. The system used a high power focused microwave array for destruction of the mine by microwave heating. The goal of the detection system is to obtain better than 5 cm resolution in three dimensions, high speed imaging of the medium and target allowing a high rate of forward motion, and sub-surface transmission approaching 100%. The system will attempt to disable the mine without detonation allowing a reduced standoff distance. the concept has the potential to provide a unique method of high speed, high resolution mine detection with the same focused array technology being used for destruction of the mine.
