Snapshot Spectral Sensor for On-the-Move Detection of Surface Contaminants with a UAS

Physical Sciences Inc. will develop a compact, passive optical beam director for an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) that works cooperatively with a laser transmitter and spectral receiver co-mounted to a Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV). The system will detect ground contaminants 50 meters ahead of the NBCRV without driving through the hazard. The proposed architecture minimizes SWaP burden on the UAS, locates higher cost components off the UAS, reduces power draw on the UAS batteries, and does not require data transmission from the UAS to the NBCRV. Feasibility of the sensor architecture was demonstrated in the Phase I program through assembly of a breadboard system and testing against triethyl phosphate dosed on relevant surfaces in a laboratory. Experiments demonstrated the Phase I breadboard could detect 7.5 g/m2 to 15 g/m2 of TEP on all surfaces within 5ft. of simulated travel distance. Testing also demonstrated the ability to track a UAS with computer vison algorithms at a 50-meter standoff, using a microbolometer, to within an accuracy of 200 urad. The Phase II program will produce a fieldable brassboard system consisting of a transceiver, tracking and pointing systems for the ground vehicle and UAS, and a UAS optical beam director payload.