Unexploded Ordnance Advanced Technology Demonstration Program

In late 1995, CEG used the Soft Trencher to demonstrate the capabilities of Safe Excavation technology for remediation of unexploded ordnance for the US Army. Under Phase II of the Unexploded Ordnance Advanced Technology Demonstration Program conducted at the Jefferson Proving Ground, CEG successfully uncovered 13 targets ranging from a 81mm howitzer shell to a 250-pound bomb in an 18-hour period. Excavation rates averaged 3 cubic feet per minute in undisturbed, field type conditions. This was the highest number of targets successfully uncovered by any remediation technology demonstrated during the two-year program. In addition, glass vials were successfully uncovered for a representative of the Corps of Engineers during the demonstration.

Operator runs telescoping boom using remote box	Example hole dug by the Soft Trencher at JPG with UXO target uncovered at bottom

In 1998 CEG participated in Phase IV of the Controlled Site Advanced Technology Demonstration Program for UXO at Jefferson Proving Ground. Over 40 targets were excavated. Excavation rates averaged about 0.2 to 0.3 cu feet per minute using 60 scfm of supersonic air at 90 psig. Target depths varied from 1 1⁄2 to 6 feet.

Figures below show the SAFEX^® utility unit in work at JPG IV along with two typical holes dug with the uncovered ordnance at the bottom. The unit shown is currently in Thailand for UXO operations.

To read more about CEG’s interaction with the United States Army, please see the page entitled US Army under Special Projects on the navigational bar to the left.

To see video of the JPG operations, please go to the reference library.