Smiths Detection - British Army Front Line Troops to Get New Chemical Detector.

LONDON -- The latest chemical warfare agent detection equipment for UK troops has been accepted into service by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Following this important milestone in the Lightweight Chemical Agent Detectors (LCAD) programme, Watford-based Smiths Detection will begin deliveries under a contract worth some 20 million pounds (sterling).

Together with the Manportable Chemical Agent Detector (MCAD), also from Smiths Detection, LCAD forms a two-tier detection system to provide a real time battlefield identification and alarm capability. MCAD entered service in 2003 under a 16 million pounds (sterling) contract, and more units have been ordered by the MoD subsequently. Both products detect chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals.

LCAD provides a small detector incorporating the latest technology to discrete groups of personnel, such as a fire team, operating outside the coverage of MCAD. The miniaturised design enables it to be worn by troops, attached to personal equipment, without inhibiting mobility.

For the MoD, the programme is managed by The Nuclear Biological and Chemical Defence Integrated Product Team. IPT Leader, Col. Andy Pedder, commented: "LCAD is a very usable piece of kit that offers great benefit to all users. It is the result of a collaborative effort to overcome some significant challenges on the way to meeting a demanding specification. As well as the IPT and Smiths, Dstl at Porton Down, DEC (CBRN), Director Joint Capability and Front Line Command staff have all contributed. The UK requirement is for many thousands, with LCAD an essential part of the suite of NBC Defence equipment available to UK armed forces. LCAD's proven capability offers significant export sales potential for military and civilian markets."

Robert Judd, President Smiths Detection - Military said "This is an important milestone, following an intensive development programme by our Watford team in partnership with the Ministry of Defence. MCAD and LCAD form a very strong two-tier detection system and maintain our proud record of equipping UK troops with the most advanced battlefield identification and alarm capability."

LCAD's technology combines Ion Mobility Spectrometry with Corona Discharge and thus no radioactive sources are required. Designed for continuous operation, it is a highly sensitive product, detecting and identifying chemical threat agents at levels that could be fatal or cause serious incapacitation.

About Smiths Detection: Smiths Detection is one of four operating divisions of Smiths Group plc. Smiths Detection offers technologically advanced security solutions to detect and identify explosives, chemical & biological agents, weapons and contraband. Employing trace detection technology together with Smiths Heimann X-ray imaging, Smiths Detection provides screening solutions for customers in civil and military markets worldwide.

For more information visit: www.smithsdetection.com.