Raytheon working on Subterranean Surveillance project
Raytheon is working on a DARPA Subterranean Surveillance project to create new methods for detecting buried explosives using synthetic biology.
Under its DARPA contract, Raytheon is working with Worcester Polytechnic Institute to programme two bacterial strains to monitor ground surfaces for explosive materials.
The first strain will detect the presence or absence of explosives buried underground. If the first strain detects explosives, the second strain will produce a glowing light on the ground's surface. Remote cameras or UAS can then be used to survey large areas for the tell-tale luminescence.
The Subterranean Surveillance programme is one example in which advances in synthetic biology are being used to develop sensors that can reveal a variety of subterranean phenomena at a distance. Synthetic biology combines principles of electrical engineering with computer science to modify DNA.
Allison Taggart, principal investigator for the Bio Reporters for Subterranean Surveillance program at Raytheon BBN Technologies, said: ‘We already know that some bacteria can be programmed to be very good at detecting explosives, but it's harder underground. We're investigating how to transport the reporting bacteria to the required depth underground, and then pushing the luminescence up to the surface so it's easily visible.
‘Using bio sensors underground could help us save lives as well as detect threats to air quality and the water supply. The modular design of the system we're developing will allow us to swap in different components as needed to detect various kinds of threats and contaminants.’
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![DroneShield sets sights on Europe thanks to surge in CUAS demand]()
DroneShield sets sights on Europe thanks to surge in CUAS demand
The Australian-based CUAS technology specialist is responding to a marked shift in global appetite as it looks to branch out to an unspecified western European country early next year.
-
![DSEI 2025: Rheinmetall adds Lockheed Martin missile punch to Fuchs vehicle]()
DSEI 2025: Rheinmetall adds Lockheed Martin missile punch to Fuchs vehicle
The combination of the Rheinmetall platform with Lockheed Martin missiles is seen as the bringing together of mature systems to provide a capability in the medium term, but trials could be as long as 12 months away.
-
![DSEI 2025: Skyranger air defence system gets tracks]()
DSEI 2025: Skyranger air defence system gets tracks
The Skyranger is in service with Austria, Denmark and Germany in the 30mm variant on wheeled vehicles, while Ukraine is receiving the system fitted to the Leopard 1 tank chassis, but this is the first sight of the 35mm on a tracked vehicle.
-
![Information advantage: what is a data fabric and why is it essential for armed forces?]()
Information advantage: what is a data fabric and why is it essential for armed forces?
In Conversation: Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to Systematic’s Chris Harris about the vital importance of data fabrics in the networked battlespace, and how this capability can already be provided by existing technology.
-
![DSEI 2025: MBDA introduces NLOS Akeron 120 MBT missile]()
DSEI 2025: MBDA introduces NLOS Akeron 120 MBT missile
The no-line-of-sight (NLOS) missile is MBDA’s latest ammunition offering for main battle tanks (MBTs), with the company foreseeing an entry to market date window for Akeron within the next two years.
-
![DSEI 2025: Teledyne takes wraps off autonomous launch recovery box for drones]()
DSEI 2025: Teledyne takes wraps off autonomous launch recovery box for drones
Teledyne FLIR Defense revealed the SkyPad fully autonomous quadcopter launch and recovery box at AUSA in Washington DC last year. The SkyCarrier is the production version of the system and is designed for the launch and recovery of the company’s SkyRaider and SkyRanger uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).
