Mobile Radiation Detection System Applications

• Scenario – Detectives used in a moving vehicle system during everyday operations in a higher security condition resulting in random encounters with people, vehicles, buildings.
• Tactic – Security vehicle with detectives installed in the rear cargo area and a laptop computer with Detective-Remote software with the driver/operator will drive at random unspecified speeds through traffic, city streets, public areas etc. where the system will encounter varying changes in background and sources. The purpose of this mode is to provide situational awareness and decision support capability of potential threats to security personnel in the area of the current location or position of the vehicle.
• Advantage - Provides flexible radiation detection and identification of areas quickly and easily. The system can be deployed into fast security operations, and provide more efficient coverage over a larger area.
• Disadvantage - Increased distance and speed effects the detection and identification capability of the detectors. Left and right hand (driver/passenger) considerations can be significant in the setup and operation of the systems.
  • Speed of Mobile System: Variable
  • Closest Point of Approach: Variable

Background Survey

• Scenario – Detectives used in a moving vehicle system during everyday operations in a lower security condition resulting in random encounters with people, vehicles, buildings.
• Tactic – Security vehicle with detectives installed in the rear cargo area and a laptop computer with Detective-Remote software in the presence of the driver/operator will drive at random unspecified speeds through cities, public areas, streets, etc. where the system will encounter varying changes in background and sources. The purpose of this mode is to establish background information or data for archiving purposes to be sued later for future situational awareness and decision support capability security planning or post-accident response analysis (Fukushima, TMI, Chernobyl etc.). Data will need to collect and archived with the corresponding Geo-referenced positions. Mobile Survey data can be used at a later date in secondary planning tools.
• Advantage - Provides security and emergency personnel with GPS specific historical data that can be used to develop background radiation contour maps of large areas.
• Disadvantage - Increased distance and speed effects the detection and identification capability of the detectors. Left and right hand (driver/passenger) considerations can be significant in the setup and operation of the systems.
  • Speed of Mobile System: Variable
  • Closest Point of Approach: Variable

The "Ad Hoc" radiation detection application is one of the most challenging choke point monitoring mission for any security team responsible for interdicting a nuclear threat. To overcome these challenges, several requirements for an "Ad Hoc" detection asset will be discussed here with specific product features needed to support a roadside choke point monitoring system.

Background Summary
A security team has been notified that they will need to provide radiological security coverage for a potential nuclear threat based on some intelligence or an alert notification. The team is required to perform personnel and vehicle search capability at a strategic location where personnel and vehicles can be funneled through a security checkpoint in an urban or rural environment. To facilitate the search, the need for an "Ad Hoc" based radiation detection system will be used.

Required Equipment
Detective-200 (1 to 4)
External battery pack for each Detective-200
Laptop with Detective-Remote software
GPS for localization and Reachback support

 Setup: User Sets Up a Temporary Vehicle Checkpoint to Monitor for Potential Nuclear Threat

• A user has been notified that he or she will need to provide radiological security coverage for a potential nuclear threat based on some intelligence or alert notification
• The user will be required to perform personnel and vehicle search capability at a strategic location where personnel and vehicles can be funneled through a security checkpoint in an urban or rural area. To facilitate the search, the need for an "Ad Hoc" based radiation detection system will be used.

For users that need to operate in standard choke point monitoring conditions, the procedure is as follows:

• User will acquire all the necessary equipment needed to perform the search using Detective-200s. This includes: 1-4 cold Detective-200s
  • Semi-rugged laptop with Detective-Remote software installed
  • Raised frame/platform such as trash can, traffic drum or Detective-200 carrying cases etc.
  • Note: ORTEC can provide custom platforms to be used with the Detective-200 in lieu of other materials
  • Detective-200 external power supply kit

• User will install the Detective-200(s) on top of the traffic drum, trash can or carrying cases in a secure location in close proximity to oncoming traffic. This will serve as the platform for positioning the Detective-200s such that the detector area is facing out perpendicular toward the vehicles. When using more than one Detective-200, ensure one is placed on each side of the roadway for increased vehicle monitoring.
• If necessary the user should use the following installation examples based on the number of Detective-200s in service.
  • One Detective-200 - User should position the instrument detector on the passenger side pointed perpendicular to the vehicle.
  • Two Detective-200s - User should position one on the passenger side and the other on the driver's side pointed perpendicular to the vehicle
  • Four Detective-200s - User should position two on the passenger side and the other two on the driver's side pointed perpendicular to the vehicle

Operation

• Once the Detective-200s are installed in their appropriate locations, the user can choose two power options
  • Option A is to run the Detective-200s on the internal battery, with no external power applied. This will give the user roughly three hours of search time.
  • Option B is to connect each Detective-200 to fully charged external battery packs using the provided cables. This will provide up to seven hours of search time on a single external battery. If necessary, additional external batteries can be readied and hot swapped should a longer search time be required.
• User will now need to connect the Detective-200 modules to the laptop that is running the Detective-Remote software. The user has one option for covert operations for retrieving data from the Detective-200s for analysis.
  • Options A is to connect all fo the Detective-w00s to the laptop via USB cables supplied with each Detective-200. User will connect each cable to the rear of the Detective-200, and connect the other end either directly to the laptop or to a USB hub (not supplied) for system wit more than two devices. The Detective -Remote software will automatically connect each Detective-200 to the software application for analysis.
  • Each Detective-200 will need to be configured to work with the USB connection and can be performed from the Detective-200 PDA Screens.
  • Option B is ot connect all of the Detective-200s to the laptop via wireless (WiFi). When connecting to the Detective 200s wirelessly, each Detective-200 will need to be configured for remote connection. This provides a positive security configuration for the wireless connection and once it is configured the system will maintain the configuration for future deployments. To perform search, the operator will instruct drivers to move forward through the choke point at a slow safe speed.
• The ORTEC "Ad Hoc" detection system is continuously running and in detection/identification mode.
• If a passing vehicle has a source of radiation, the Detective-Remote will do one of the following:
  • If the ID is naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM), the event window will show the ID, but no visual alarm indication will be presented to the operator. The event color will remain white.
  • If the ID is an artificial source, but not a thread as defined by the DNDO standard, the screen will display the identified isotope (s), and will change to a green background, and audible alert will sound if enabled.
  • If the ID is a threat as defined by the DNDO standard, the screen will display the identified isotope(w), and will change to a red background color, and an audible alert will sound if enabled.
  • If a threat or an alarm event occurs while moving, the operator should prove with adjudication procedures.
• While the vehicle is passing, the operator can watch the signal index graph to look for the increase in signal counts to determine the location of the potential threat.
• If necessary, the operator can stop the search and press the "Stand in Mode" button on the Detective-Remote software. This will allow the operator to take a long count in the area of the highest signal to verify the alarm that was received while moving is either a real threat or a benign source of radioactive material.
• If necessary, the operator has the option to send any event or alarm to the configured reachback support center.
  • The operator will select the alarm of interest to be sent to reach back from the list of events on the Detective-Remote screen.
  • The operator will right click the selected alarm, and click to option "Send to Reachback". The function will display a dialog box that the operator can add additional information about the alarm what may be critical for the reachback center to adjudicate the alarm.
  • After filling out the additional information, the operator can press the send button and a reachback report with spectra will be sent to the previously configured reachback email address. It should be noted that the laptop will require a network connection (Wi-Fi, hotspot, broadband card to send the reachback report to the reachback center.

The ORTEC Detective maritime system is a modular radionuclide detection and identification system comprised of the ORTEC Detective-200 HPGe nuclide identifiers, carrying cases, hold-down straps, external battery supply and Detective-Remote monitoring software.

The portable system can be installed in a variety of vessels including SUVs, cars, boats, and helicopters.

The Detective-200 search system can be configured as a single detector or multiple detector networked system to meet CONOP requirements. The Detective-Remote software application provides multiple levels of control and operation of the system. The standard configuration is "Search Mode" which is an easy user interface that monitors for radionuclides over several configurable integration times.

Typical Maritime System Configuration



CONOPS

Maritime applications focus on three concept of operations, Overtaking, Chokepoint, and Stop/Interview.

Overtaking

• Scenario – Detectives used in a standoff system during everyday operations in a lower maritime security condition resulting in random encounters with recreational small vessels.
• Tactic - Approach vessel to a range of 10 meters at the closest point of approach at a speed above that of the target vessel, but with a slower relative speed to optimize detection.
• Advantage - Provides for increased scanning of vessels during routine operations which maximizes the encounter rate. Speed provides better detection and control in a higher sea state, and distance of 10m allows for safe operations.
• Disadvantage - Increased distance and decreased integration time lowers probability of detection.
• Speed of Target: 5 kts
• Speed of Scanning vessel :10 kts
• Closest Point of Approach: 10 m.
  

Chokepoint

• Scenario – Detectives used in a standoff system during everyday operations in a lower maritime security condition resulting in planned checkpoint/chokepoint configuration in open water to monitor vessels that are less than 300 tons and less than 65 feet in length.
• Tactic – Security vessel(s) with detectives will anchor in a strategic location to monitor passing target vessels to a range of 10 meters at the closest point. The relative speed of the target vessel will be kept at a minimum to optimize detection.
• Advantage - Provides for controlled scanning of vessels during planned operations which maximizes the encounter rate. Speed provides better station keeping in a higher sea state, and distance of 10m allows for safe operations.
• Disadvantage - Increased distance and decreased integration time lowers probability of detection.
• Speed of Target: 5 kts
• Speed of Scanning vessel :0 kts
• Closest Point of Approach: 10 m.

Stop/Interview

• Scenario – Detectives used in a standoff system during everyday operations in a lower maritime security condition to perform random scans or further investigate rad/nuc alarms.
• Tactic – Security personnel will bring the target vessel to slow speed or dead in the water, approach vessel to a range of 3 meters and stop. Interview vessel operator and initiate ID. When ID is completed, clear vessel.
• Advantage - Allows officers to thoroughly screen vessels during focused operations and increased security threat levels. Longer dwell time provides better probability of detection and an increased ability to ID.
• Disadvantage - Stopping vessels to dwell takes more time and will lower the number of encounters.
• Speed of Target: 0 kts
• Closest Point of Approach: 3 m.
• Dwell Time:~ 90s