Smiths Detection wins $65 million contract for JCAD chemical detectors

Smiths Detection today announces it has been awarded a $65 million add-on production order for the United States Department of Defense’s (DoD) Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD) program. The latest order, which will start delivery this month, takes to $122 million the total awarded to Smiths Detection under the JCAD Increment I programme.

Stephen Phipson, President, Smiths Detection said: “This is the third major JCAD order we have been awarded this year in what is the biggest programme of its kind in the world. It again underlines our position as the global leader in chemical agent detection.”

The JCAD Increment I unit is a modified version of Smiths Detection’s Lightweight Chemical Detector (LCD) which has been widely adopted for military use around the world. It alarms to both Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs) and Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs).

Mal Maginnis, President, Global Military and Emergency Responders for Smiths Detection, added: “We are delighted to be involved in the JCAD program which effectively provides the U.S. military with two instruments in one; a point detector for chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals as well as a survey instrument that checks for contamination.”

Weighing less than 2 pounds, it can be worn or carried by troops without obstructing their primary duties.   Additional benefits include low maintenance costs, minimal training requirements and the use of a unique non-radioactive technology.

Smiths Detection was selected as the sole-source provider for JCAD Increment 1 in June 2007. Smiths Detection was also selected in 2007 to participate in the first major phase of Increment 2 of the JCAD programme, which continues in the preliminary testing phases.