[ RadSafe ] Raytheon to develop nukes detection tech

[Clayton J Bradt]

 Raytheon to develop nukes detection tech                              
                                                                       
 Published: Nov. 21, 2008 at 5:18 PM                                   
                                                                       







TEWKSBURY, Mass., Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. Homeland Security Department
has awarded Raytheon Co. (NYSE:RTN) a phase I contract to develop nuclear
threat detection technologies.


Under a $764,000 deal, Raytheon will support the DHS' Exploratory Research
in Nuclear Detection Technology Program with development of a Stand-Off
Warning Against Radiological Materials, or SWARM, technology.


Raytheon says it will develop the SWARM technology with Los Alamos National
Laboratory along with support from academia and others in the small and
large business community.


"The transportation of nuclear material into and within our borders is a
serious threat to our nation's security," Michael Del Checcolo, Raytheon
Integrated Defense Systems vice president of engineering, said in a
statement.


"SWARM will develop a radiation detection and localization approach that
uses multiple, mobile and highly distributed sensors. This approach will
enable first responders to accurately evaluate a situation and take swift
action in the event of a threat to our national security."


Officials say the SWARM development contract could be worth $2.9 million
over five years if all options are exercised.




© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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False-positives will always overwhelm any radiation detection system
deployed for this purpose.  A signal buried in the background simply cannot
be resolved.  Radiation detection as a security measure against nuclear
terrorism is a Chimera.  Health Physicists who advise policy makers on
these issues are obligated as a matter of professional ethics to ensure
that this fact is made loud an clear: There is not hope that improved
detection and identification technologies will reduce the threat of nuclear
terrorism.


Clayton J. Bradt
dutchbradt at hughes.net


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