Plug-and-play radiation sensor components for unmanned aerial system platform

Mobile radiation sensing techniques for surge deployment and wide area search are important for nuclear security applications. Radiation sensors were developed for the use with robotic platforms of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Ambient temperature neutron and gamma CLYC sensor and high resolution CZT gamma sensor were integrated into the UAS as plug-and-play interchangeable components allowing easy attachment to a robot in field conditions. The time and position data were added via Robot Operating System to measured intensities of photon peaks and neutron rates enabling the input for the UAS flight control. The contour mapping of a radiation area by multiple UAS was simulated.