The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is seeking proposals to develop technologies and capabilities to perform autonomous building searches for radiological and nuclear materials.
Efforts to advanced search algorithms and hardware integration of sensors should employ off-the-shelf compact radiation detectors (e.g. CZT, NaI/CsI with SiPM, solid-state neutron detectors) with unmanned ground or air vehicles and operate with autonomous path planning and navigation. Possible solutions could include multiple cooperative vehicles with a heterogeneous set of sensors.
Considerations for an effective search include:
- Speed of search
- Accurate identification of radiological/nuclear material presence
- Optimized noise signature
- Ability to adapt to unknown building layouts
The requirement is part of this year’s Department of Defense Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) approved topics. The RIF is designed to quickly transition innovative technologies that resolve operational challenges into acquisition programs. Those selected for award may receive up to $3 million and will have up to two years to perform the work.
Further details are available via Solicitation Number: HQ0034-16-BAA-RIF-0001B, Requirement Number: DTRA-16-BAA-RIF-0003. The response deadline is May 03, 2016.