Maritime Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Detection Program

Together with the Defense Threat Agency, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) has beeninvolved with technologies related to special nuclear materials (SNMs). In the past, typical ranges were limited due to high-clutter environments and low-purity detectors. Development of higher purity detectors and innovative sensors based on electronic micro-electromechnical systems (MEMS) could extend the current detection ranges. NR, with the Naval Research Laboratory and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, is working to deliver higher performance systems or naval application starting in 2009. A near-term focus is on the urrent series of radiological backpack detectors. Later, the program will be working with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and Department of Energy labs to further the design and development of specifi c longer range detectors that will be culminate in large-scale shipboard experiments in the 2012 timeframe.

The program consists of multiple technology challenges, all of which are necessary to achieve the long-range C-WMD vision. Multi-mode sensing systems are being formulated to allow future U.S. Navy ships to detect and classify the potential of threats at long ranges, reducing the need for boarding parties and stopping shipping for lengthy searches. Various active and passive detectors for SNMs are being investigated as possible sensors and for use in underwater unmanned vehicles. Variable geometry active interrogators and airborne sensors are under study to allow the detection to be done with little or no need to stop the vessel under scrutiny. Further, the design of these systems allows for operation by a small or minimal crew and maintenance examination from networked shore repair facilities.

The WMD Detection Program will deliver to the warfi ghter an enhanced ability to deliver ranged sensing of WMD before a warfi ghter has to set foot on a suspect vessel. This will increase the surveillance capabilities by four to 10 times over current systems currently under consideration.