Smiths Detection officials say the company's military unit will supply the Defense Department with lightweight chemical detectors for the JCAD program in an initiative to provide soldiers in conflict environments with a smaller and lighter chemical detection capability. Officials say the contract is worth $23.8 million.

"This award underlines our position as world leader in chemical agent detection. JCAD is expected to become one of the most significant and largest chemical detection programs in the world," Stephen Phipson, Smiths Detection group managing director, said in a statement. "It is a truly unique and sophisticated means of providing next generation technology to protect front line forces from a range of chemical threats."

Company officials say the Smiths Detection Lightweight Chemical Detector offers soldiers the ability to detect both chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals.

Defense Department officials are expected to decided in the near future whether to add up to 54,000 additional M4 JCAD units that could result in a full rate production for Smith Detection.

"Smiths Detection is proud to have been selected to supply the U.S. military with the M4 JCAD, bringing a significant increase in capability to the troops," said Mal Maginnis, Smiths Detection global military and emergency responders president. "Not only is the JCAD used as a point detector to monitor ambient air for a chemical threat, it can also be used as a survey instrument to check for contamination. This is a capability that previously required two instruments and is now packaged in one--the M4 JCAD."