Baku: The Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA), operating under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is set to deploy drones for radiological research in Karabakh as part of a groundbreaking national project. The initiative, themed ‘Enhancing the Capabilities of the National Laboratory for the Monitoring and Expertise of Nuclear and Radioactive Materials in Azerbaijan,’ is being implemented within the framework of a technical cooperation programme with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), according to IDDA’s response to APA-Economics’ inquiry.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the project involves establishing a Nuclear Forensics Laboratory under IDDA’s structure by the IAEA, alongside personnel training. Drones equipped with MS-100 gamma spectrometers and lightweight CsI detectors will be delivered and trained for use by IDDA’s Nuclear Research Department. These drones aim to facilitate real-time low-altitude airborne radiation measurement and mapping during radiological testing and research.
The drones are intended for use in territories liberated from occupation that have not been fully cleared of mines and unexploded remnants of war, to ensure nuclear and radiation safety. Their application will expedite the search for orphan radioactive sources and radioactive waste, employing innovative digital solutions in radiological and radioecological research.
IDDA has been conducting research in liberated territories as part of the ‘First State Program on the Great Return to the Liberated Territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan.’ The introduction of drone equipment will expand and enhance these studies, reducing safety risks to personnel and enabling rapid and effective assessment of radiation safety.
The drones, equipped with a high-precision ZenMuse camera, a LiDAR system, and the MS-100 radiometry module, allow for simultaneous visual and radiological data collection. This facilitates safe and rapid remote assessments of radiological situations in inaccessible and risky areas, particularly in mine-laden territories.
Data collected by the drones will be used to map radiation backgrounds, identify potential contamination zones, and monitor the radioecological situation. This is crucial for environmental protection and ensuring radiation safety during restoration and resettlement activities in the region.
Training on drone operation and data analysis will enhance the technical skills of specialists and align radiological monitoring methodologies with international standards through smart drone technologies. This initiative strategically expands the use of innovative technologies in radioecological safety and radiation control, supporting the restoration of a sustainable and safe ecosystem in liberated territories.