Unattended ground sensors: Summary of a survey

A pioneering opinion survey on the potential use of unattended ground sensors (UGS) in UN peacekeeping was conducted in 1995 by European researchers (Altmann et al. 1998) and published by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research. Such UGS can be left in the field to send signals to peacekeepers. A questionnaire was sent out to peacekeepers and to officials at defence headquarters in various countries, gaining 114 responses out of 185 questionnaires sent. A full 90 per cent considered ground sensors useful in principle, across the range of possible activities considered (cease-fire lines, buffer/demilitarized zones, enclosed areas, safe havens and using portable sensors). Only 27 per cent had actual experience with ground sensors, mostly from other military activities, as would be expected because of the very limited application in current UN operations.

Related Subject(s): Human Rights and Refugees