Viken Introduces Handheld Narcotics Analyzer
Viken Detection has added to its product line with a new handheld device that can identify if drugs are, or have been, present and can identify the drugs. The FOXHOUND-HNA is based on ion mobility spectrometry and works in three modes: vapor, trace and bulk sampling. Vapor and trace are used before substances are found to tell authorities if narcotics are present or have been present. Bulk sampling mode is used when suspicious substances have been found and need to be identified. The company says the bulk sampling feature is new and allows operators to handle large amounts of material that usually overwhelm IMS and mass spectrometry systems. Viken says the analyzer is optimized for drug interdiction and tailored for use in law enforcement operations. “The FOXHOUND-HNA provides a new standard for field chemical detection technology, replacing legacy technology that has languished while the opioid epidemic persists,” says Dr. Hanh Lai, senior vice president and general manager of Viken’s Chemical Detection and Environmental Hazards Business. “The capabilities, design for ease of use, low maintenance, and cost of ownership have all been incorporated, resulting in a handheld narcotics analyzer engineered specifically to address field operation challenges.”
DHS S&T, Partners Evaluating Autonomous Maritime Vessels
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate and a team of federal, academic and industry partners have begun a round of testing of autonomous surface and underwater ocean surveillance technology. S&T is working with the Coast Guard, Univ. of Southern Mississippi, the Naval Research Laboratory, Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory, Ocean Aero, Inc., Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, and the Homeland Security Systems Engineering and Development Institute federally-funded research and development center to test and evaluate Ocean Aero’s Triton autonomous vessels, which can be powered by wind and solar, and sail and submerge. Acceptance testing of six Triton vessels, each with slightly different capabilities, has begun at USM’s Marine Research Center at the Port of Gulfport, Miss. The capabilities of the vessels will be evaluated for navigation; surface, diving and subsurface operations; sustained operations using only wind and solar power; and how well the vessels can serve as a platform for cameras and sensors to detect anomalies and threats. “There are a number of autonomous vessels in the field that are utilized for both commercial and military applications, says S&T Program Manager Shane Cullen. “However, the Triton proposes to be able to navigate while submerged and rely solely on wind and solar power when on the surface. That could make it very useful for long-term maritime protection and law enforcement operations at sea.” The evaluations will continue throughout the summer. Afterward, NRL and ARL will integrate selected advanced sensors into the Triton vessels and testing will continue offshore in Gulfport into the early fall.
Liberty Defense Partners with Dutch Firm to Expand Presence in Europe
Liberty Defense says it has partnered with Netherlands-based consultancy N4R to expand the company’s presence in Europe for aviation and commercial security applications. Liberty says that N4R is led by Gunther van Adrichem, who has more than 20 years working in the airlines and aviation industry in areas such as technology development, innovation management and airport operations. Adrichem was involved in creating the first test procedures for certifying airport security scanners and helped introduce and deploy millimeter wave technologies for passenger screening. Liberty’s HEXWAVE stand-off threat detection product is based on millimeter wave technology. Bill Frain, Liberty’s CEO, says he has worked with Adrichem for the past 20 years deploying screening technologies for aviation checkpoints, highlighting that he “is a thought leader and certainly well recognized in the security industry.” Frain adds that “Gunther’s vision for next-generation security applications is a perfect fit for Liberty as we advance our product portfolio for commercial and aviation applications.”