Smiths Detection awarded initial contract to supply M4 JCAD the US Militarys new generation chemical

Lightweight non-radioactive chemical detector identifies presence of chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals to help save troops lives

SMITHS Detection, part of the global technology business Smiths Group, today announced that its Military unit has been awarded a $3.9 million firm-fixed price contract to supply the U.S. Department of Defense with lightweight detectors under its Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD) program.

The M4 JCAD selected is based on the Smiths Detection Lightweight Chemical Detector (LCD), widely adopted by military forces globally. It is designed to help save the lives of troops by automatically detecting, identifying and quantifying both chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. The advanced, non-radioactive chemical point detector can be worn by soldiers or mounted in mobile platforms such as vehicles or robots.

For both the Department of Defense and Smiths Detection, this initial production contract marks the start of one of the most important chemical agent detection equipment programs ever, said Stephen Phipson, Group Managing Director, Smiths Detection. With the growing threat from toxic industrial chemicals, evidenced by recent attacks, we feel confident that our advanced technology in the M4 JCAD will provide US troops with an added layer of protection.

The Low Rate Initial Production contract awarded to Smiths Detection, which includes ancillary equipment, may be followed by a Full Rate Production decision that could take place in early 2008, with potential orders for up to 54,000 additional M4 JCAD units.

This result exemplifies our commitment to providing high-quality solutions and the dedication of our team to provide the U.S. military with the most capable and technologically advanced chemical detectors, commented Damian Tracey, President, Smiths Detection-Military.

Smiths Detection has a strong history of protecting military forces from chemical threats, deploying over 120,000 chemical detectors around the world, including more than 30,000 GID-3 units supplied since 1998 to fulfil the Department of Defense ACADA program.