WASHINGTON, March 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced awards of $8.8 million for exploratory research on advanced nuclear detection technology.
Homeland Security's Domestic Nuclear Detection Office will grant contract awards to nine U.S. companies to undertake research and development with the aim of creating innovative nuclear and radiological detection systems.
The grant program is intended to "transform nuclear detection technology by funding aggressive research and development that is unconstrained by pre-existing user expectations and initial technical risks," the announcement said.
Each company will develop its technology in multiple phases, including an advanced technology demonstration. Successful systems will be considered for development and acquisition program and may be used for radiological and nuclear detection at U.S. air and sea ports and inland.
The nine companies selected to receive awards are: Alliant Techsystems Incorporated, Mission Research Division; Canberra; EIC Laboratories, Incorporated; General Electric Global Research Center; Physical Optics Corporation; Radiation Monitoring Devices, Incorporated; Rapiscan Systems Corporation; Science Applications International Corporation; and Westinghouse Electric Company.
The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office is also expanding its base of knowledge in basic nuclear detection technology by funding research and development at seven U.S. universities. That grant program, which awarded funds totaling $3.1 million, was announced earlier this year.
