Warhead counting using neutron scintillators: detector development, testing, and demonstration

The authors describe the development of a fast-neutron detector based on a boron-loaded plastic scintillator used previously for space applications. The detector rejects gammas and scattered low-energy neutrons, and its segmentation allows narrow fan-shaped collimation within +or-20 degrees horizontally and +or-50 degrees vertically. Testing includes distinguishing between mockups with either two or three warheads and locating the ten warheads on a silo-based Peacekeeper missile. For warhead-counting applications, the results presented indicate that collimated proton-recoil scintillations can, at least in some circumstances, provide the position resolution needed to resolve individual warheads without revealing intrusive information about their design.<>