3D Gamma-ray Mapping From An Unmanned Aerial System For International Nuclear Safeguards

The Applied Nuclear Physics program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has developed a modular, gamma-ray mapping system, the Localization and Mapping Platform (LAMP), integrated with the Nuclear Scene Data Fusion (SDF) capability. This real-time, 3-D mapping capability has been successfully demonstrated on a small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) to localize and identify both point and distributed radioactive sources in various environments. A sUAS-based capability will augment IAEA inspectors’ current ground-based methods by providing greater situational awareness over larger areas, a safer method of mapping and verifying buildings or containers in areas that are inaccessible or difficult to reach, and by providing real-time, 3-D information about the area of interest, including radiation data, in a detailed map on a tablet. In this paper, we will discuss the potential applications of the sUAS-based SDF capability support the international nuclear safeguards activities, and show results of relevant measurements.