U.S. OKs radiation detector production

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DANBURY, Conn., Aug. 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has approved a handheld radiation detector for production and deployment.

Official approval of Smith Detection's RadSeeker came from the department's Domestic Nuclear Detection Office.

The RadSeeker is a next-generation radionuclide identifier with enhanced capability to distinguish radiological and nuclear threats and eliminate the background "false positives" produced by naturally occurring radiation or other legitimate everyday radiological materials.

Its advanced performance, size, durability and communications capabilities -- including direct reach-back over satellite phone -- are ideal for an array of applications. These include supporting civil defense and first responder search operations and helping port and border personnel evaluate cargo, containers and vehicles for Special Nuclear Material or "dirty bomb" threats.

Manufactured in Smiths Detection's facility in Danbury, Conn., the RadSeeker has passed extensive government testing in laboratories and in the field during operational testing.