Smiths awarded 23 million US Government contract for mobile highenergy Xray systems

Smiths Detection, a leading provider of X-ray and trace detection systems, today announced it has been awarded a $23 million U.S. Government contract for HCV Mobile II trucks, high-energy mobile cargo screening systems that will be deployed to several strategic ports throughout the country.

The HCV Mobile II adds a unique, flexible layer of security in our nations fight against terrorism, said Chérif Rizkalla, President of Smiths Detection, Americas, part of the global engineering business Smiths Group. This state-of-the-art mobile detection system significantly increases the ability to secure the nations ports by rapidly assisting in the identification of potentially lethal and illegal shipments.

The HCV Mobile II is a second generation system that meets all U.S highway standards and can be driven from one port to another at normal freeway speeds. A key feature of the HCV Mobile II system is its ability to generate high-resolution images of a containers contents. The images are further enhanced through proprietary software designed to assist in the identification of contraband. Systems can also be deployed with integrated radiation detection capability.

Assembled in America on an International Truck chassis, the 3.8 MeV system generates high-energy X-rays that can penetrate more than 10.5 inches of steel with the significant added advantages of mobility and radiation detection capabilities. Detection of radioactive material in trucks and container loads is an innovative feature added to the HCV Mobile II to bypass inefficient cargo unloading and inspection.

HCV Mobile II Feature Highlights:

• High energy mobile X-ray scanner with integrated radiation detection capabilities (meeting ANSI requirements)
  
• Combines multi-threat detection with a single scan
  
• 100 percent mobile, enabling rapid responses and random inspections
  
• Autonomous system which requires no external infrastructure
  
• High inspection speed results in a higher traffic flow
  
• Able to travel on conventional roads at speeds in excess of 50 miles per hour
  
• Small footprint
  
• Easy and rapid process requiring few staff; 30-minute set up time

ENDS