Process_to_Down_Select_a_Counter_Unmanned_Aircraft_System_for_Testing_and_Evaluation

Recent security events involving unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have left many nuclear regulatory bodies and facility operators wondering if they should implement counter-UAS (CUAS) technologies. Many regulators and operators are, therefore, beginning to assess the risk and potential impact of UAS threats on site security and operations to determine whether implementing CUAS technology or products is warranted. If the risk of UAS incursion is determined to be unacceptable, the challenge of determining which CUAS technologies/capabilities to select and implement can seem overwhelming. In addition, understanding how to evaluate product specifications and claims made by manufacturers through defined testing is essential to the proper selection of capabilities that meet site/facility and regulatory requirements. The process of incorporating CUAS technologies/capabilities into existing security systems includes critical steps to ensure optimal system performance. These critical steps include: developing CUAS requirements based on site/facility requirements (such as expense or mitigation limitations), performing a CUAS market survey, down-selecting CUAS based on requirements, defining test or evaluation criteria, developing test location requirements while considering important test location characteristics, and down-selecting a test location based on requirements. This process will provide a sound purchase justification for a CUAS that meets site/facility needs. This paper will explain the steps of the down-selection process as well as lay out testing and evaluation considerations that support implementation of a CUAS that is appropriate for the needs of the site/facility. This process is based on a methodology that has been applied to the down-selection and testing of CUAS for high security applications. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525. SAND2021-1822 A