Aerial Measuring System

Aerial Measuring System

Type	Program
Sponsor Organization	Office of Emergency Response
Top Organization	N/A
Creation Legislation	N/A
Website	Website
Purpose	To provide rapid, airborne radiological assessments following nuclear incidents, enabling emergency responders to make informed decisions about public safety and environmental impact. It aims to map radiation levels for risk assessment and mitigation.
Program Start	1958
Initial Funding
Duration	Indefinite
Historic	Yes

Aerial Measuring System (AMS) is designed to provide rapid, airborne radiological assessments following nuclear incidents, enabling emergency responders to make informed decisions about public safety and environmental impact. Employing specialized aircraft equipped with radiation detection systems, AMS maps radiation levels crucial for risk assessment, emergency response, and mitigation efforts.

Official Site

Goals

• Rapidly assess radiological conditions post-nuclear event.
• Provide real-time data to decision-makers for emergency response.
• Enhance national preparedness for nuclear and radiological incidents.

Organization

AMS is managed by the Office of Emergency Response within the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy. The governance structure includes the AMS Program Manager, who directs operations with support from scientists, technical personnel, and pilots. Funding is sourced from NNSA's budget for emergency response and nuclear security.

The leader of the program holds the title/position of **AMS Program Manager**.

Partners

• No specific partnerships are listed, but AMS coordinates with various federal, state, and local agencies during response operations.

History

The Aerial Measuring System was established in 1958 to support the U.S. Geological Survey during atmospheric nuclear weapons testing. Initially known as the Aerial Radiological Measuring System (ARMS), it was later renamed to AMS. Key historical events include its response to the Three Mile Island accident in 1979 and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011. AMS has evolved to incorporate advanced detection technologies and has expanded its capabilities internationally with the International Aerial Measuring System (I-AMS) for training partner nations.

Funding

Specific funding details are not publicly detailed, but AMS is funded through the NNSA's budget. Operational costs include aircraft maintenance, equipment upgrades, and personnel training.

Implementation

AMS implementation involves:

• Deployment of specialized aircraft equipped with radiation detection systems.
• Real-time data collection and analysis during flyovers.
• Coordination with ground-based teams for comprehensive assessments.

There is no defined end date for AMS, as it operates indefinitely to respond to nuclear incidents.

Related

• National Nuclear Security Administration
• Office of Emergency Response

External links

• https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/aerial-measuring-system
• wikipedia:Aerial Measuring System

Social media

• No specific social media accounts for AMS; follow the Department of Energy for updates.