Energy News  
Smiths Detection To Develop Portable Next-Gen Radiation Detectors

Hand-held and Backpack Detectors to Help Protect the U.S. From the Threat of a 'Dirty Bomb'. Credit: Smiths Detection.
by Staff Writers
Pine Brook NJ (SPX) Nov 06, 2006
Smiths Detection announces it has been awarded a contract with a potential total value, including options, of $222 million by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) to provide next-generation radiation detection and identification systems.

Smiths Detection will supply its handheld and backpack Human Portable Radiation Detection System (HPRDS) to the DNDO for use by emergency responders, border patrol agents, customs and coast guard officers and other law enforcement personnel. The detectors can identify and determine the location of incoming radiation and will reliably discriminate between normally-occurring radioactive materials and potential threats.

"Smiths Detection has provided over 135,000 portable detection systems of various types to the Military, First Responders and Customs Authorities. This experience enables the company to rapidly develop innovative solutions to new and evolving threat situations," said, Stephen Phipson, Group Managing Director of Smiths Detection. "It has always been our intention to add radiation detection to our existing capabilities against chemical, biological and explosive threats. We will continue to strive to be the industry benchmark with quality products that help governments across the world better protect its citizens, borders and commerce."

Smiths Detection developed this technology through its relationship with Symetrica Ltd., a company that originated at the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southampton in Great Britain. Symetrica provides unique technology for the detection and identification of radioactive substances as well as core expertise in the design and construction of gamma-ray detection systems.

The DHS has been tasked to ensure that the U.S. remains safe from the threat of illicit importation, development or procurement of a nuclear or radiological device. The DNDO was created to help fulfill that mandate. The DNDO is a jointly staffed, national office established to improve America's capability to detect and report unauthorized attempts to import, possess, store, develop or transport nuclear or radiological material.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
Smiths Detection
The latest in Military Technology for the 21st century at SpaceWar.com
The latest in Military Technology for the 21st century at SpaceWar.com



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


General Dynamics Licenses Thor Ordnance Neutralization System
St Petersburg FL (SPX) Nov 06, 2006
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has signed a licensing agreement with RAFAEL Armament Development Authority in Israel to provide Thor, a dual-mode, standoff ordnance neutralization system, to U.S. defense customers. Thor is designed for use by explosive ordnance disposal teams and military combat engineers to neutralize explosive hazards, including improvised explosive devices.







  • Hi-Tech The Key To Boosting Oil Reserves
  • Z Machine Melts Diamond To Puddle
  • Process Turns Soy Oil Into Hydrogen
  • Animal Group Bids To Buy Whale's Life From Iceland

  • Czech Temelin Nuclear Reactor Hit By Fuel Problem
  • German Uranium To Be Flown To Russia
  • Russia, Kazakhstan To Open Uranium Enrichment Center
  • New Lithuanian Nuke Plant Will Cost Up To 4-Bln Euros

  • Indonesian Rain-Making Stymied As Haze Lingers Over Region
  • Haze Hits Unhealthy Level In Malaysian Capital
  • Haze Hits Unhealthy Levels In Singapore, Alert Maintained
  • Pressure Intensifies On Indonesia As Meeting Sought Over Haze

  • Ancestor of Modern Trees Preserves Record Of Ancient Climate Change
  • Cork And Oak Trees Dying For Unknown Reasons
  • Global Forests Disappearing For A Pittance
  • Western Demand Drives Increase In Chinese Timber Imports

  • Governments Worldwide Cast Doubt On Radical Threat To Fishing
  • All Current Seafood Species Projected To Collapse By 2048
  • Saving The Global Farm One Crop At A Time
  • Wealthy Amenity Ranchers Taking Over The West

  • European Carmakers Oppose New EU CO2 Emissions Laws
  • London Buses To Get Green Makeover
  • London Borough's Parking Permit Plan Could Punish 4x4s
  • EU Mulls Legislation As Car Makers Fail On Emission Targets

  • Global Aviation Industry Gathers For Key Chinese Air Show
  • China Marks 50th Anniversary Of Aerospace Industry
  • German-Chinese Aviation Opens New Horizons For Cooperation
  • GAO Report On Progress Of Implementing Aerospace Recommendations

  • Could NASA Get To Pluto Faster? Space Expert Says Yes - By Thinking Nuclear
  • NASA plans to send new robot to Jupiter
  • Los Alamos Hopes To Lead New Era Of Nuclear Space Tranportion With Jovian Mission
  • Boeing Selects Leader for Nuclear Space Systems Program

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement