Overview of the SIGMA Program
Vincent Tang
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Terrorist attacks involving the use of proliferated radiological and special nuclear materials pose a potential threat to U.S. citizens and servicemembers. Early detection of such materials and devices made from them is a critical part of the U.S. strategy to prevent attacks. Lower-cost and more sensitive detectors, along with innovative deployment strategies, could significantly enhance detection and deterrence of attack.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)’s SIGMA program aims to revolutionize detection and deterrent capabilities for countering nuclear terrorism. SIGMA seeks to demonstrate continuous and cost-effective state-scale, network pervasive nuclear and radiological WMD detection capability. The program is accomplishing this by:
- Increasing detector efficiency and resolution using low cost, scalable techniques to achieve an order of magnitude lower cost per unit and, at the same time, significantly increased spectroscopic gammas and neutron sensitivity
- Constructing and optimizing adaptive wide-area sensor networks with data fusion to maximize detection capability
- Developing concepts-of-operations leveraging existing infrastructure and performing at-scale demonstrations of the network as an integral part of the R&D cycle
An overview of the Program along with the substantial progress already achieved will be presented.
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