The U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) said yesterday that it will conduct low-altitude flyovers in the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland, areas from May 6 to 22, to measure naturally occurring background radiation.
For the testing, NNSA will use a twin-engine Bell 412 helicopter equipped with gamma radiation sensing technology. The helicopter will be operated by the Remote Sensing Laboratory Aerial Measuring System from Joint Base Andrews and will fly in a grid pattern over the area at 150 feet, or higher, at a speed of about 80 miles per hour.
The flyovers are part of a research project sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). The background data will be used by DNDO to improve aerial radiation measurement capabilities used by local, state and federal entities.
