Army contracts for weapons detectors

EDGEWOOD, Md., April 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. Defense Department says it has contracted Smiths Detection's military unit for automatic chemical agent detector alarm threat detection technology.

Officials say under the initial $10 million order, Maryland-based Smiths Detection will supply the U.S. Army with its trademarked GID-3 chemical agent detectors as part of the ACADA program. If all options are exercised, the Defense Department ACADA contract could be worth up to $75 million.

Smith Detection, working closely with military officials, has developed the ACADA technology to meet the evolving needs of U.S. troops in conflict zones and elsewhere. The ACADA is a point-sampling chemical warfare agent detection system. Officials selected Smith Detection's GID-3 for the ACADA program for use by soldiers in vehicles, individually by soldiers in the field or put to use in a remote setting.

"As a world-leading provider of detection systems used by military forces around the world to identify chemical, biological and explosive threats, our products fill a critical need in troop protection," Stephen Phipson, Smiths Detection group managing director, said in a statement. "Our long history working in the military sector and our strong commitment to research and development has enabled Smiths Detection to work closely with the Department of Defense to ensure our detection systems meet the changing needs of U.S. forces."