NNSA conducts scheduled proficiency flight of the aerial measuring system

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), in conjunction with the Deputy Under Secretary for Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation Jay Tilden, recently conducted a scheduled aerial measuring system (AMS) proficiency flight in order to evaluate the roles and responsibilities for response crews through planned scenarios.

The AMS is a radiation detection system that supports NNSA’s mission to respond to and mitigate nuclear and radiological accidents and incidents on a global scale. The system is used as a first step for officials in making important decisions regarding public protection and how response teams choose to operate in any given situation. The AMS also supports Department of Energy Field Offices, interagency training exercises, and other agencies in support of their missions.

Each response crew consists of two pilots, a mission scientist, and an equipment specialist.

During the exercise, Tilden examined how the AMS crew carried out mission steps while practicing the rapid on-call response. The administrators analyzed a series of elements in the exercise, including aircraft and radiation equipment, radiation science, data management, and communications capabilities.

To maintain adherence to rules and procedures for rapid on-call response flights, each team member must complete a minimum of one proficiency flight per quarter. Each response team does the planning for proficiency flights in real time to simulate a realistic on-call response.