Navy Buys 1,000 explosives-detection systems for Force Protection on ships and at bases

WASHINGTON—The Navy is buying more than 1,000 explosives-detection systems for $36 million to protect ships and bases from terrorist attacks around the world, the company that makes the equipment said today.

"Explosive-detection equipment is an important tool in the fight against terrorism," said Nicholas Lakis, Logistics Man-ager for Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)/Chief of Naval Operations N34 Force Protection Division, in a statement.

"The addition of this technology will continue to improve the Navy's overall force-protection posture."

The hand-held system, known as the VaporTracer2, is made by Ion Track Instruments, of Wilmington, Mass., which an-nounced the Navy’s purchase today.

The technology detects and identifies trace amounts of explosives, and is similar Ion Track’s walk-through and desk-mounted systems, which are already in use at airports, customs and border crossings, and in government buildings, the company said.

The contract was competitively procured by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, in Crane, Ind., the com-pany said.

Lightweight - 7 lbs., handheld Detects all common explosives and narcotics including heroin, cocaine, RDX, PETN, dynamite and Semtex Operates on 110/220V AC, a 90-minute fast recharge battery, or a six-hour battery pack Switch to detect either explosives or narcotics The most sensitive portable vapor detection system available Government tested and verified Plugs into a cigarette lighter Self diagnostics Can be connected to the ITEMISER® Contraband Detector for analysis (with access to the touch screen display and on-board printer) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The VaporTracer2 Portable Contraband Detector is the latest technology available for detecting explosives and narcotics. Based on Ion Track Instruments’ patented Ion Trap Mobility Spectrometer (ITMS®), the VaporTracer2 is designed to be used in demanding security environments where fast and accurate analysis is essential. Significant improvements to the VaporTracer have enhanced the detector's capabilities and raised the performance standard for handheld trace detectors. Key to the VaporTracer2's evolution is a pre-concentrator nozzle that fits on the end of the detector, which not only further improves vapor detection, but also allows for superb trace particle detection. The VaporTracer2 was originally developed and tested with support from the U.S. Department of Defense Counter-Drug Technology Development program, acting on behalf of a consortium of U.S. government agencies including U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the President's Office of National Drug Control Policy. The VaporTracer2 Portable Contraband Detector is easy to use with a five button keypad and liquid crystal display (LCD). The instrument requires minimal operator training and is internally calibrated by the touch of a single button. The system works by drawing a sample of the vapor into the detector where it is heated, ionized and then identified by its unique plasmagram.

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