Remote UAS-based X-Ray for Device Assessment in CBRNE Environments

DTRA is in need of technical innovations associated with Warfighters performing long range WMD device assessment and characterization from a safe distance outside of potentially CBRN contaminated environments. Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) definitions and terms are commonly used by many nations and exist on the public internet including steps involving EOD detection, assessment, identification, field evaluation, render safe, recovery and disposal. Current device assessment is manual, requiring personnel to approach closely and manually move x-ray transmitters and x-ray receivers around an unknown device to perform the required assessment mission. Current stand-off capabilities are typically ground robots manually driven a short distance which may be safe for some unexploded ordinance (UXO), but are not safe for suspected WMD warheads. Recent UAS innovations associated with coaxial form factor systems that can perch or land as part of their mission flight profile appear to offer a novel approach to conducting bi-static x-ray image collection. STATE OF TECHNOLOGY. • Current Portable digital radiography systems that depend on hand- or robot-emplacement of a source and flat-panel detector near the device are limited in a CBRN environment. There is no current technology solution that can generate diagnostically useful transmission images (sufficient penetration of ordnance casings plus resolution of fine fuse features such as wires, switches, or delay elements) without any ground contact or personnel entry into the contaminated zone. • Mobile x-ray transmitters and various options for exposing images, and stitching multiple images together to create a 3-D assessment of an unknown device exist, but they are generally hand-carried and emplaced. Complex mathematics and algorithms for capturing and rendering X-ray results from multiple simultaneously moving transmitters and receivers each with potential uncertainties in position and angle are limited. • Tactical UAS systems are generally small, carry lighter payloads, do not have open architectures for payloads, and payload options are generally difficult and limited to the bottom side to integrate without adversely affecting flight profiles. • Robotic x-rays exist but are typically fixed, large and devices are brought to them and put on a turntable. This topic is for x-rays done in the field, at 5km distances, without moving the threat device. • No UAS-based x-ray capability currently exists.