| Project Nr.: | 2.1.2.3 |
| Title: | Systematic test and evaluation of metal detectors - STEMD |
| Description: | Systematic test campaign in order to assess the capabilities of the available Commercial-Off-The-Shelf metal detectors. A two-stage approach was followed:Test and evaluation under laboratory conditions, using the European Commission - Joint Research Centre (EC/JRC) test facilities in Ispra and the tests described in the CEN Workshop Agreement for standardised metal detector testing (CWA 14747-2003), andIn-field tests in several mine-affected regions (South East Europe, Southern Africa, South East Asia), under realistic conditions using the CWA protocol. The latter opportunity was also used to collect environmental data influencing the suitability of metal detectors. |
| Aim: | Assist mine action programme managers to make informed choices of metal detectors and to stimulate metal detector users to provide feedback on the CEN Workshop Agreement for standardised metal detector testing (CWA 14747-2003). |
| Request: | Users, NMAAs, GICHD, UNMAS. |
| Category: | Detection - Metal detector |
| Type: | Test and Evaluation |
| Equipment: | Ceia MIL-D1, Ceia MIL-D1/DS, Ebinger EBEX 421 GC, Ebinger EBEX 421 GC/LS, Ebinger EBEX 420 H-Solar, Guartel MD8+, Foester MINEX 2FD 4.500, Foerster MINEX 2FD 4.500.01, Foerster MINEX 2FD 4.530, Foerster MINEX 2FD 4.510, Minelab F3, Minelab F1A4, Minelab F1A4 UXO, Schiebel ATMID, Vallon VMH3, Vallon VMH3(M), Vallon VMC1, Vallon VMH3CS, Vallon VMH3 CS UXO, Shrimt M90, AKA-Condor 7252, AKA-Vector 7260, Schiebel AN-19/2, Adams AX777, Beijing Geological Instrument Factory GTL115-2 |
| Development: | COTS |
| Time Frame: | 2004-01-01 to 2006-12-31 |
| Place: | European Commission - Joint Research Centre (EC/JRC), Laos, Mozambique, Croatia |
| Lead Nation: | Germany/BAM (2006), European Commission/JRC (2004-2005) |
| Partners: | GICHD, UNMAS, United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, HCR - CTRO (Croatia), UXO-LAO (Laos), IND (Mozambique), CSIR (South-Africa). |
| Status: | Archived |
| Comments: | This project was complementary to ITEP Project 2.1.1.1 which focuses on training and experimental verification of the test and evaluation methodology described in the CWA 14747-2003. Supporting research on soil characterisation issues was also carried out within the framework of the STEMD project (see article on soil reference height available in the ITEP reports database)A comprehensive summary of all three STEMD trials is available as an annex in the GICHD Metal Detectors and PPE Catalogue 2007. |
| Results/Conclusions: | The first regional field trial (blind trial) was carried out in Laos during October-November 2004 with as main objectives to assess the current existing metal detectors, provide UXO-LAO with performance data for selection of future equipment and extend the application of the CWA 14747-2003 to small items of UXO (see test report).The second regional trial took place in May 2005 in Mozambique. It consisted of training on the CWA 14747-2003 and included tests concerning environmental influence (temperature, humidity, soil, EM interference, etc.) on metal detection. No blind trials were carried out in this regional trial (see test report and summary article in the Journal of Mine Action).The third and last regional trial, originally planned to take place in autumn 2005 was postponed by JRC/EC due to contractual difficulties and was finally carried out in September - October 2006 with Germany / BAM leading the trials. The Croatia STEMD trial was a reliability trial as well, and included several new detector models. It further looked more in detail at the human factor and its influence on the recorded metal detector performance. The final report of this last STEMD trial was published in March 2007.The final report on all metal detector laboratory tests conducted at the JRC within the STEMD project during the period November 2003 - January 2006 was released at the end of 2006. |