Year
2019
Abstract
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) have achieved geometric growth in the commercial market and show promise for many industrial applications. UASs may also present an opportunity to aid in certain safeguards applications, including conducting complementary access inspections for uranium mines and deployment of radiation sensors for remote measurement and telemetry. These systems may be able to help achieve the goals of the nonproliferation regime and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) by adding capabilities which were formerly either unsafe or technically infeasible. The current generation of UASs face constraints on range, payload, and maneuverability which limit the potential safeguards applications. Two- and three-dimensional imaging, volumetric assessments, radiation dose mapping, and hyperspectral imaging are some of the technical applications which UASs are likely capable of contributing to the safeguarding of mines. The implementation of UASs in safeguards applications of uranium mines presents a number of safety, security, and regulatory/political issues which must be considered and mitigated. However, none of these barriers appear insurmountable. The implementation of best practices in technology and training will ensure that the IAEA, operators, and host nations incur a minimal risk to safety, security and regulatory/political issues. This paper begins by outlining how UASs may help achieve safeguards goals within the specific application space of uranium mining activities. Current limitations are discussed, followed by a brief technical assessment of potential UAS capabilities which would be relevant to mining inspections. Future technology trends in UASs will be discussed on how they may impact the proposed mine inspection mission. Finally, the paper presents a brief overview of related safety, security, and regulatory/political issues which must be considered.