By DDN |
16 years ago |
10/16/2007

The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) has awarded General Electric’s [GE] Global Research Center, the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), and Science Applications International Corp. [SAI] a combined potential $33 million to develop Stand-Off Radiation Detection Systems (SORDS) that can automatically determine the type and location of radiation sources at distances much greater than current technology. “The SORDS approach, if validated, could be used in a wide range of monitoring applications including border crossings, sea lanes and air surveillance,” says Vayl Oxford, DNDO director. “This program could create a significant increase in capability for monitoring the illicit movement of radiation sources.” The initial value of GE’s award is $3 million with a total potential value of $7 million. NRL’s initial award is for $480,000 with a total value of up to $8.8 million. SAIC’s initial award is $2 million with a potential value of up to $7.2 million. The contracts are for two years. Companies that fail to meet the requirements of any one phase may not be funded to complete the entire demonstration. Due to proprietary concerns DNDO couldn’t say what each company’s solution is but it did offer what the three approaches are: one will use an NaI-based coded aperture imager with an innovative active mask for imaging across a larger energy range and potentially a smaller footprint than is currently possible; a second project will use an NaI-based passive mask system coupled with an HPGe array to achieve very low false alarm rates–two independent but simultaneous systems can potentially locate and confirm a threat source; and a third project will use CsI sensors with a passive mask based on a previously funded DNDO proof-of-concept device. In addition to being able to increase ranges for stand-off detection, the companies are expected to develop radiation detectors that can reliable discriminate between normally occurring radioactive materials, background and potential threats. Another goal of the program is for the systems to be mobile and be able to perform all functions while moving during routine operations. The awards are the result of a Broad Agency Announcement released last December for gamma ray detection technologies with greater stand-off ranges than current systems.