UAV Gamma Survey System

Gamma Surveys in Challenging and Unsafe Environments.

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ERG has surveyed over 8,000 acres using aerial gamma platforms.

Most radiation surveys are performed using GPS-based detector systems mounted on backpacks on technicians, pushcarts, or vehicles. Helicopters and fixed wing planes have been used for very large areas but are expensive and may present accessibility issues. Ground-based surveys often result in unsafe conditions for ground crews.

To overcome these obstacles, ERG now utilizes aerial platforms for performing surveys in limited and inaccessible areas. The development of the drone-based survey capability was developed primarily for use in mapping radiation levels in challenging environments, including extremely rough terrain, other unsafe environments for ground personnel, or in sensitive areas where soil and vegetation disturbance may be an issue. These include areas within and around abandoned uranium mines, culturally sensitive areas, national laboratories, military installations, and other sites.

Unknown Radiological Conditions

Dense Vegetation

Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) Areas

Steep or Unsafe Terrain

Cultural Resources and Wetlands

Chemical and Biohazard Areas

Designed for Flexibility

ERG owns 4 heavy-lift UAVs capable of carrying a variety of payloads. With more than 15 years of engineering experience, ERG can easily support the implementation of additional payloads and software changes, as necessary.

Low-Altitude Gamma Surveys

ERG’s UAV is capable of being controlled manually or autonomously using defined transects with terrain contouring via an on board radar sensor or data elevation maps. Several sensors combined with sophisticated software allows surveying heights as low as one meter.

Real-Time Results

Gamma data are transmitted in real time to a field computer allowing for instantaneous gamma results of the survey area. Real-time data lets field personnel bound and investigate areas of interest prior to leaving the survey area.

Why ERG?


Innovation and Design

Our unique team of health physicists and engineers can accompany most project requirements

ERG has thrived on bringing innovative solutions to environmental problems. In 1994, ERG developed the capability to perform vehicle-mounted GPS-based radiological surveys, allowing ERG to cost-effectively survey thousands of acres around uranium mills and mines as well as other nuclear facilities in support of site decommissioning projects. Our experience with GPS-based gamma surveys allows us to easily transition to UAV surveys where necessary.

ERG also maintains one of the largest radiological equipment inventory and every employee is highly trained on the operation and data interpretation of each instrument. The large inventory and trained personnel allows flexibility with UAV instrumentation to meet the needs of every project. In addition, our engineering team is skilled in design and software which allows us to grow and adapt as necessary.

Fully Licensed and Insured

Ensuring that work is performed safely and efficiently

ERG pilots are licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate drones for commercial purposes and maintain all required FCC licenses for long-range radio transmissions. Each pilot is also highly qualified in health physics allowing data to be interpreted in the field. In addition, ERG holds a liability insurance specific to unmanned aircraft operations allowing work to be performed for most contractors and sites.