ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Earth Sci.
Sec. Solid Earth Geophysics
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/feart.2025.1683386
This article is part of the Research TopicGeophysical Electromagnetic Exploration Theory, Technology and ApplicationView all 12 articles
The successful development of a large-depth fixed-wing time-domain airborne electromagnetic survey system
Provisionally accepted
- Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Langfang, China
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The fixed-wing time-domain airborne electromagnetic (FTDAEM) detection system is a geophysical exploration equipment carried on a fixed-wing aircraft, which detects underground electrical structures by transmitting and receiving transient electromagnetic fields. The fixed-wing time-domain airborne electromagneticFTDAEM systems hold a pivotal position in aerial geophysical exploration due to their exceptional endurance and high-efficiency survey capabilities. Although significant progress has been made in airborne electromagnetic technology, core technical details of various systems remain confidential. To foster technological exchange and advancement in this field, our research team has, for the first time, fully disclosed the proprietary technology of the self-devel-oped fixed-wing time-domain airborne electromagneticFTDAEM system (iFTEM-II). Building upon the 350-meter detection depth achieved by the first-generation system (iFTEM-I), the team selected the Y12F aircraft platform with superior payload capacity and conducted comprehensive redesigns and research and development on all critical components, successfully developing a second-generation deep-detection system. This system has achieved multiple technological breakthroughs: (1) instantaneous kiloampere-level high-current, low-base-frequency large-moment transmission technology; (2) aircraft modification featuring externally mounted flexible transmitter coils and long-suspended receiver pods; (3) precise extraction technology for nanovolt-level weak signals in dynamic high-interference environments; and (4) high-volume data rapid processing and practical inversion technology. Verified by the actual exploration data, the effective detection depth of this system has reached 600 meters. The successful development of the iFTEM-II system provides a reliable technical means for the rapid conduct of large-scale deep resource surveys. The open sharing measures of the system technology are conducive to promoting the progress of industry technology.
Keywords: Time-domain airborne EM system, fixed-wing platform, AEM equipment development, Large-depth detection, Deep resource exploration
Received: 11 Aug 2025; Accepted: 16 Oct 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 HUANG, Xiao, Li, Ben, Li, Xu, Cao, Liu, Wu, Wang and Ding. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
WEI HUANG, huangwei2012511@163.com
Du Xiao, xdu@mail.cgs.gov.cn
Fei Li, lfei@mail.cgs.gov.cn
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