 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Linthicum MD (SPX) Nov 19, 2010 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to begin field testing a new generation of autonomous biodetection instruments as part of the BioWatch Gen-3 program. Northrop Grumman was awarded the $8.4 million task order under the BioWatch Gen-3 System Performance Demonstration Contract. The total potential value of the contract is $37 million over three years. Northrop Grumman will test 12 of the Next Gen Automated Detection System (NG-ADS) units in outdoor and indoor locations in a major U.S. city for several months to determine the readiness of the systems for future deployment. The company will provide autonomous biodetection equipment and technical support, including the operation and maintenance of the units during the course of the field test. "The NG-ADS technology has the potential to significantly improve the nation's ability to quickly detect and respond to a bioterrorism event," said Dave Tilles, director of Homeland Security and CBRNE defense programs for the Advanced Concepts and Technologies Division at Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector. "This effort builds on the company's work to support our customers as they enhance the country's defenses against potentially catastrophic threats such as bioterrorism." Operating 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, the biodetectors represent a key technological component of Northrop Grumman's candidate BioWatch Gen-3 system. BioWatch Gen-3 is envisioned by DHS as a fully autonomous network of bio-detectors located in population centers around the U.S. that will continuously monitor the air for agents of biological concern. By rapidly identifying bio-threats, Northrop Grumman's candidate biodetection systems provide an early warning capability that a biological incident has occurred. This warning provides an opportunity for the nation's public health and safety officials to reduce exposure, distribute medication sooner and proactively manage the response to a bio-threat. Northrop Grumman established its leadership in biodetection technology by successfully developing and deploying a national network of Biohazard Detection Systems (BDS) for the U.S. Postal Service. The BDS collects and analyzes air samples from mail-sorting systems using polymerase chain reaction technology to detect trace amounts of DNA from biological agents. The company intends to leverage its biodetection systems experience and expertise gained in support of the U.S. Postal Service for the BioWatch program. The Northrop Grumman BioWatch team includes Luminex Corporation, Austin, Texas; Research International, Monroe, Wash.; and Global FIA, Inc., Fox Island, Wash.
Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Department of Homeland Security (DHS) The Long War - Doctrine and Application
Germany boosts security after terror tipBerlin (UPI) Nov 18, 2010 The German government has beefed up security at airports and train stations after it was tipped that al-Qaida militants plan to strike targets in Germany at the end of this month. Police equipped with bulletproof vests, machine guns and sniffer dogs Thursday patrolled public hot spots all over Germany, including the major Munich and Berlin train stations as well as Frankfurt Airport, on ... read more |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2010 - SpaceDaily. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
YahooMyWeb
Google
Facebook
