Northrop bio-sensors complete test

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LINTHINCUM, Md., July 11 (UPI) -- Northrop Grumman's offering for a U.S. Department of Homeland Security sensor acquisition program has completed a rigorous field test.

The company's Next Generation Automated Detection System is a fully automated biological detection system that collects air samples, analyzes the samples for the presence of multiple biological pathogens, and automatically reports results to public health officials multiple times each day through a secure data network

More than 20,000 samples were collected and analyzed in the field test that was conducted in a variety of indoor and outdoor locations, Northrop Grumman said.

"There are concerns that our nation won't be ready to respond should a biological attack occur," said Dave Tilles, director of Homeland Security programs at Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector. "Early warning provided by an automated detection system such as the NG-ADS will allow the nation's public health and public safety officials to proactively manage the response to a biological event to reduce exposure.

The Department of Homeland Security's BioWatch Gen-3 Phase II acquisition program is to deploy a nationwide network of fully autonomous bio-detectors in major metropolitan areas.

A formal request for proposals will be issued later this year.