Development of an integrated radiation measurement system using unmanned aircraft for nuclear emergency response

Sasaki, Miyuki  ; Ochi, Kotaro   ; Sanada, Yukihisa   

Effective response in nuclear emergencies requires rapid and accurate radiation monitoring. Based on operational experience from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, we have developed an integrated radiation measurement system utilizing multiple types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), each customized for specific monitoring objectives. The system consists of multirotor UAVs deployed as temporary replacements for ground-based monitoring posts, unmanned helicopters designed for high-resolution wide-area surveys, and fixed-wing UAVs developed for emergency monitoring around nuclear facilities. Each platform is equipped with radiation detectors optimized for its operational role. All radiation data are transmitted in real time via LTE communication to a centralized server, where they are automatically processed and visualized through a web-based interface. The system has been validated through field deployments and national-level nuclear emergency drills, demonstrating its reliability, adaptability across various scenarios, and effectiveness as a rapid-response tool. The system is also scalable and can be applied to a wide range of situations, including natural disasters and radiological terrorism. It holds significant potential to enhance decision-making support in emergency contexts by providing timely and actionable radiation data.