The ‘Armageddon drone’ that can search for radiation: Nevada nuclear test site to trial atomic disaster technology
- ‘Sandstorm’ craft used for radiation sensing and environmental monitoring
- The drones will also be used for sensor development and site security
- Researchers expect to begin tests with new technology this coming fall
By CHEYENNE MACDONALD FOR DAILYMAIL.COM, 25 May 2016
The US government is set to deploy two radiation-detecting drones at the former ‘Nevada Test Site’ to test new sensing capabilities that could help in future nuclear disasters.
The ‘Sandstorm’ unmanned aircraft will be used for remote radiation sensing and environmental monitoring, along with other security applications.
Researchers are now working to expand the sensor technology for unmanned aerial systems, and they expect the Sandstorm drones to begin tests in the fall.
The Sandstorm drones were purchased by the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS).
This location was once the infamous Nevada Test Site, where nearly 1,000 nuclear tests were conducted both under and above ground, beginning in the 1950s.
Now, the NNSS leads missions on emergency response, national security, defense applications and experimentation, nuclear weapons stockpile stewardship, and environmental management.
As of December 2013, Nevada is one of six FAA authorized test sites for unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
The new drones will help to expand the research and development programs, according to NNSS officials……..http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3607203/The-Armageddon-drone-search-radiation-Nevada-nuclear-test-site-trial-atomic-disaster-technology.html
