Air Force contracts RF hazard tool

PORT TOWNSEND, Wash., April 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force says it has contracted Intelli-Check - Mobilisa Inc. to develop a radio frequency microwave hazard assessment tool.

Intelli-Check - Mobilisa, based in Washington state, announced it has received a more than $747,000 research and development award. Under the deal, Intelli-Check - Mobilisa, an identification technologies developer for the defense and homeland security markets, will be expected to further develop its RHAZ hazard analysis software tool for Air Force applications.

Company officials say the RHAZ offers safety authorities among others the capability of determining potential hazards to airmen from RF emitters during real-time deployment.

"The safety of our armed forces is paramount, and we are proud to have the opportunity to ensure their health and well-being," Craig Bleile, Intelli-Check - Mobilisa chief scientist, said in a statement. "RF can be dangerous, especially at the levels employed by the armed services, if not properly handled. Our tool will be designed to allow service personnel to visualize RF energy, thus putting the capability to create a safe operating environment in the hands of every safety officer."