Detecting UXO: putting it all into perspective

This paper details the background and status of the unexploded ordance (UXO) problem. Included are a brief history of the problem; a discussion of government initiatives; and a description of UXO detection technologies, their effectiveness, and potential future uses. This paper focuses on domestic UXO contamination primarily resulting from training and testing exercises; nevertheless, the discussion pertains to UXO contamination that has resulted from wartime activities throughout the world. Currently, there is no safe, technically feasible method to accurately detect, locate, and identify surface and subsurface UXO.