Army to receive contraband detection tech

HAWTHORNE, Calif., April 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army says is has contracted California-based OSI Systems Inc. for contraband detection technologies.

Rapiscan Systems, the security division of OSI Systems, received the $7.3 million Army deal. Under the contract, Rapiscan Systems will provide U.S. Army forces around the world with the company's re-locatable gamma radiographic detection systems as part of a U.S. Defense Department cargo and vehicle inspection technology expansion.

The low-radiation Rapiscan GaRDS technology provides security personnel the ability to detect hidden weapons, explosives and weapons of mass destruction among other threats. Officials say the GaRDS can be installed in a fixed setting or used by a security official on the move.

"We are pleased to continue our expansion in the Department of Defense cargo and vehicle inspection market," Ajay Mehra, Rapiscan Systems president, said in a statement. "Our GaRDS product line was developed specifically for customers that need to detect a wide range of threats in challenging operational environments. This award demonstrates the growing demand within Department of Defense for this type of solution and underscores our position as one of the leading providers of critical force protection equipment to U.S. forces overseas."