Methods for Radioactive Source Localization via Uncrewed Aerial Systems

Uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) have steadily become more prevalent in both defense and industrial applications. Nuclear detection and deterrence is one such field that has given rise to many new opportunities for UAS operations. There is a need to research and develop methods to integrate existing radiation detection technology with UAS capable of flying low-altitude missions. This low-altitude scanning can be achieved by combining small and lightweight radiation detectors and state-of-the-art aircraft and avionics. High resolution mapping can then be conducted using the results of these scans. Significant work has been conducted in this field by both private industry and academic institutions, including the Uncrewed Systems Lab (USL) at Virginia Tech. This work seeks to expand this body of knowledge and provide practical experimental information to showcase and validate the efficacy of radiation detection via UAS. Multiple missions were conducted using samples of 137Cs and 60Co as a radioactive source. Various filtering methods were applied to the results of these missions to produce visual maps that aid in the localization of an unknown source to compare various flight parameters. In addition, significant work was conducted to characterize two radiation detectors available to the USL to provide metrics to assist in the UAS design and flight planning. Finally, the detectors were taken to Savannah River National Laboratories to conduct experiments to provide information to aid future designs and missions that wish to detect a wider variety of radioactive sources.