Demonstration of a Robot-Based Raman Spectroscopic Detector for the Identification of CBE Threat Agents

Abstract : This paper describes the feasibility demonstration of a chemical, biological and explosive (CBE) detection system based on Raman spectroscopic measurements integrated to a commercially available unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) platform. Raman detection of CBE agents is reagentless and offers the ability to detect a broad range of threats in a single measurement and is well suited to remote operation. The performance of this sensor system for the detection of chemical and biological warfare agents was validated through comparison of results from a system performance model and from laboratory testing of a breadboard system. This breadboard was successfully integrated on a Joint Architecture for Unmanned Systems (JAUS)- compliant Remotec ANDROS Wolverine UGV and the ability of the unit to target and detect a biothreat simulant on a complex background was demonstrated. High-level detector functions, as well as the reporting of results to the operator were performed through the UGV wireless communications link to the operator control unit. This work has application to the remote detection of chemical, biological and explosive agents in military/civilian medical and emergency response applications.