DARPA wants to see through concrete

Hiding and fighting from within civilian structures gives insurgents an edge. The U.S. military wants to negate this home field advantage with technology that would allow soldiers to look through concrete walls and give them a detailed picture of a building's interior--right down to the fixtures.

DARPA has asked companies to propose a suite of multiple sensing technologies that could, upon development, deliver "complete situational awareness" above and below ground that would "reverse the adversaries' advantage of urban familiarity."

The Comprehensive Interior Reconnaissance program sponsored by DARPA describes a scenario in which an area would be cordoned off, and specific buildings identified as deserving closer scrutiny.

In addition to aiding in hostage rescues and other urban combat operations, this "no-knock" technology could have some "hearts and minds" collateral benefits, as it could mean fewer doors kicked in.

An ubervision system would be brought in to scan and kick out floor plans on up to a 10-story building, including basements and the structural and infrastructure systems such as electrical, plumbing, and ventilation; all accurate to within one yard.

Sensing may be accomplished through passive or active means, as long as it's from outside the building or through an "exterior umbilical," according to the DARPA announcement. This could be done from a passing vehicle, an aircraft, or from a clandestine operation's compatible backpack-size unit. The crown jewel for special ops would be a "head-mounted multispectral imaging device".

A combination of optical and microwave satellite sensors have reportedly been used to successfully map subsurface archaeological sites, but there's no hint yet on how this ability will be brought down to earth . External, through-the-wall radar is already in the works at DARPA, so companies are encouraged to look elsewhere for solutions.

Although the DARPA solicitation carefully specifies that this is intended for "overseas urban building interior awareness," it's not hard to imagine the technology being adapted to drive-by inspections by your local building department. Time to legalize that "granny" unit.

[TinyIoda]

Time to invest in lead paint!

[Orengeman]

On 24 they can see through concrete using infrared satellite images and they don't need technology to map buildings because CTU has access to some universal database where they can find architectural drawings for every building ever built anywhere in the world. Fo-shizzle.

[sythara]

Too bad IR does not go through walls, it is after all not far off from light on EM spectrum.

[inachu1]

This would be bad nes for Israel per that one video of them making sure a building was clear then once it was cleared then they let some palestinian student go in for shelter then BAM! The Israeli troops shot the building up they just proven safe and secure.

Using this new technology will prevent such things from happening.

[sythara]

There is already a system in place to see through walls and such. Currently, backscatter x-ray is used to accomplish such tasks. Look at American Science and Engineering and their vehicles equiped with that technology. That technology can be improved upon and the requirements of the solicitation qould be met.

Expect big boys like Smith Detection actually get the contract though.

[billmosby]

Look for a the new "X-Ray" option in Google Street View some day soon!

[inachu1]

I thought this was already done when the TV show Airwolf came out. Or was it Blue Thunder?
I think it was Blue Thunder that made it a very big controversy at the time in the 1980's to see into buildings and people were up in arms against police using this technology to see into their homes.

There are half truths to this article and has ramifications for use in police use.
Nobody deserves to feel like they live in a glass house. Lets just make sure this application is purely for military use and not for any civialn use.

[Michichael]

Except that even if it's developed for military, it won't be a far cry to "Well we need to use this technology to protect our children from predators"

Always with the "For the chilluns" arguments.