Smiths Detection today announced a follow-on production order worth approximately $7 million from the U.S. Army under the Department of Defense’s Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD) program.
Lance Roncalli, Vice President of Sales, Americas, Smiths Detection, said: “This order underscores the Department of Defense’s continued commitment to one of the largest, most effective chemical warfare protection projects in the world. Recent news coverage of possible chemical weapons use is a reminder about why JCAD is such a critical technology to help safeguard troops around the world.”
The JCAD is based on Smiths Detection’s LCD product line of advanced, light-weight, threat detection devices that can be easily strapped to a belt. The LCD is a cost-effective solution that protects military personnel, police and hazmat responders by testing the air and providing an immediate warning if dangerous chemicals such as warfare agents and toxic substances are detected.
The enhanced M4A1 JCADs provided to the U.S. military are manufactured in Smiths Detection’s facility at Edgewood, Md. Serving as the main U.S. manufacturing site for X-ray and a range of chemical warfare detection systems, Edgewood employs nearly 230 people and was recently expanded to help meet continued demand for the JCAD program.
Smiths Detection designs and makes advanced solutions to detect and identify threats including explosives, chemical agents, biohazards, nuclear, radiation, narcotics, weapons and contraband. A market leader worldwide in providing layered security technologies, Smiths Detection has major plants in three U.S. states. It partners federal and state government agencies and first responders to strengthen homeland security and safeguard the military. Major customers include the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is part of Smiths Group, a global leader in the practical application of advanced technologies. Smiths Group employs around 23,000 people, including more than 9,000 in the U.S. where it operates around 100 sites in 40 states.