L-3’s Reduced Size EDS Receives European Standard 3 Approval
L-3 Communications [LLL] says its reduced size explosive detection system (EDS), the eXaminer SX, has passed the European Union Commission Regulation Standard 3 for EDS under the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) Common Evaluation Process (CEP) of Security equipment. The ECAC does not specify what their performance standard is. Other equipment that has also met the CEP Standard 3 for EDS include: Morpho Detection’s XRD 3500, CTX 9400 DSi and CTX 9800 DSi; Science Application International Corp.’s [SAI] CT80DR; and L-3’s eXaminer XLB. The SX was validated by the Screening and detection Technology Unit of the German Federal Police.
Smiths Detection Launches SABRE 5000
Smiths Detection has launched the SABRE 5000, what it says is the smallest and most capable handheld, tri-mode detector available. New key features for the ion mobility spectrometry-based SABRE 5000 include an expanded vapor detection capability allowing a wider range of substance identification, faster clear-down for better throughput, and built-in troubleshooting for and improved user experience, Smiths says. The device and detect and identify over 40 threat substances in 20 seconds. The device is used for detecting trace amounts of explosives, narcotics, chemical warfare agents or toxic industrial chemicals and the company says the false alarm rate is less than 1 percent. The SABRE 5000 weighs 7-pounds, including the battery.
Raytheon Forms New Security Business Line
To better focus its efforts on public safety and security, Raytheon’s [RTN] Network Centric Systems division has created a new business line that combines the division’s existing security solutions and civil communications businesses that are currently spread across multiple groups. The new Security and Transportation Systems (STS) business has two major public safety focus areas, security solutions and interoperable communications networks and equipment for first responders. Security solutions are focused around critical infrastructure protection, including airports, ports and border security, through the company’s ClearView security management system platform. In the area of interoperable communications that better enable first responders to communicate with each other during an emergency, Raytheon already offers a number of products here but in the past few years has begun to address customers’ needs for a total solution. That means using Raytheon equipment and also equipment from other vendors to meet a customer’s needs, William Iannacci, director, Civil Communications Solutions for Raytheon NCS, tells TR2. The company will continue to sell product but “we are really trying to follow a model of bringing a total solution to the customer and brining partnerships together in the industry as well,” he says. The STS line will be led by a vice president, Michael Prout. The business will also include NCS’s air traffic management business, which the company says helps control more than 60 percent of the world’s airspace.
Virginia Tech in NSF Cyber Security Research Center with Several Firms
Virginia Tech, in cooperation with L-3 Communications [LLL], Northrop Grumman [NOC], General Dynamics [GD] Advanced Information Systems business, and Verisign Labs, has received a five-year continuing grant to establish a National Science Foundation (NSF) industry-university Cooperative Research Center site for cyber security. Initial topics of research for the center include secure computing architectures, cloud computing security, visualization tools for cyber defense, securing critical infrastructure, wireless security, and malware detection and mitigation. The new cyber security site joints the 25-year old NSF-established Security and Software Engineering Research Center, which is led by Ball State Univ. That center was recently rechartered with an added focus on security. “A number of high profile incidents have caused both the U.S. federal government and private industry to reprioritize computer and network security,” says Charles Clancy, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Virginia Tech. “This has resulted in a major need for research and education in the field.”