In reconnaissance applications based on imaging sensors, for example minefield detection using airborne systems, it can be difficult to differentiate the mine from the background due to low contrast and the presence of highly textured backgrounds. Multispectral techniques can be used since they provide more information than images from common broadband cameras. The multispectral systems themselves operate over several wavelength bands, e.g. from ultraviolet to visible and thermal infrared (0.2-14 mm).

Surface laid and buried mines can be found due to contrast variations in the collected multidimensional image. FOI in Sweden is investigating multispectral analysis for mine detection and minefield delineation. Note that multispectral imaging has the advantage of measuring different physical parameters simultaneously, and without major spatial co-registration problems.