Distributed Source Testing in Multiple Test Beds

OUSD (R&E) MODERNIZATION PRIORITY: Nuclear Modernization; General Warfighting Requirements (GWR) TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace; Nuclear; Sensors OBJECTIVE: DTRA seeks to develop a capability that will allow for the creation of a radiological fallout area for test and evaluation, while minimizing radiation dose to radiation worker DESCRIPTION: To improve the warfighters ability to operate in radiological contamination environments, DTRA is developing improved tools to rapidly identify and map radiological hazards. Without access to actual radiation fallout areas from nuclear detonations, DTRA needs to create spatially-distributed radiation area to assess sensor systems and associated analytical tools. Requirements for this development are as follows: The resulting contamination field must span at least a 30m x 50m area The total amount of radiological gamma activity should total approximately 1 curie Capability should be able to be used multiple times Capability should allow for creation of different fallout patterns and distributions Within environmental and regulatory guideline Minimize radiation dose to personnel using developed solutions PHASE I: Phase I will consist of a conceptual design, to include risk reduction, of a prototype system that will meet the performance goals described in the Description section. Consideration should be given to literature search, analysis, and modeling to demonstrate applicability of the proposed capability. Preliminary fabrication can be performed to obtain engineering data for analysis. The Phase I deliverable is a final report detailing the work performed in Phase 1, analysis of the results, the conceptual design, and application to Phase II development. PHASE II: Phase II will construct and test a prototype system. The Phase II deliverable will be a final report that includes test results and technical drawing of the prototype system. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Phase III will mature the prototype and provide a system for U.S. government use and independent evaluation. REFERENCES: G.F. Knoll, Radiation Detection and Measurement 4th edition (Chapter 7), John Wiley & Sons, 2010. KEYWORDS: Distributed Source, Fallout, Radiation Hazard