1. The Naval Postgraduate School, the Office of Naval Research, and the Program Executive Officer,Littoral and Mine Warfare, are pleased to announce the Eighth International Symposium on Technology and the Mine Problem at Monterey, California, May 6-8, 2008.

2. We are also pleased to announce that Commander, Naval Mine and Anti-submarine Warfare Command has agreed to become an operational sponsor and that we shall also again have strong emphasis on aspects of Port Security.

3. This preliminary announcement constitutes a call for scientific papers.

4. The focus of this symposium is emerging technologies that have potential application to naval mine countermeasures, land countermine (including neutralization of controlled landmines and standoff influence landmines) and detection and neutralization of unexploded ordnance. The symposium is unclassified and foreign participation is expected.

5. A recent Navy "Innovation Day" identified the following areas in which technological applications are needed:

a. To conduct operational testing of the Unmanned Surface Sweep System (US3).

b. Providing contingency capability to dedicated airborne mine countermeasures.

c. Increasing the operational data collection and observance during AMCM flights, or conducting additional flights, to enable the fleet to qualify the OAMCM systems as contingency systems for use on the MH-53Es and thus [provide] additional capability to the fleet.

d. Applying some mine countermeasures systems to supporting capabilities such as anti-submarine warfare.

e. Possible enhancement to the mine warfare environmental decision aids library (MEDAL).

6. Needs in countering landmines and related weapons. It is plain that the technological needs lie in the following areas:

a. Ahead of vehicle detection, neutralization, or avoidance capabilities; i.e. standoff neutralization.

b. Robotic or remotely operated long endurance, recoverable devices.

c. Area Surveillance in and around linear assets such as roads, rail, lines, electrical distribution grid and pipelines.

7. In the operational theaters the battle of measure versus countermeasure places a high premium on the prompt interpretation and dissemination of information and intelligence. These matters are probably not suitable topics at this unclassified symposium.

8. A subject-area reminder, Enabling Technologies. Such topics are very appropriate for this symposium. Of particular interest are the technologies, such as nano-technology, that enable miniaturization or that contribute to endurance of mobile systems or to the command and control of ensembles of robots or remotely operated systems. What can we learn from the Martian rover experience? For that matter, what can we adapt from the experience in space with remote sensing?

9. The Organizing Committee welcomes suggestions or proposals for other specific technological subjects.

10. Milestones. This is a refereed symposium. Extended abstracts, 850-1000 words, are requested by Dec. 15, 2007. Final papers are requested by March 1, 2008. The point of contact is Carol at DMC Companies, Monterey, Ca. The e-mail is carol@dmccompanies.com. Detailed instructions regarding paper formats, etc, will be posted on the MINWARA and SCOT websites.

The Publisher, SCOT, has made arrangements with Abrego Print of Monterey, Ca, for the distribution of additional sets on a print-on-demand basis and at a cost of $225 per set including the DVD, handling, and postage. Expedited shipment is $25 additional. A hard-bound set is also available for an additional $100 per set totalling $325.