CBRNe News May 2008
Gwyn Winfield examines the latest news in the world of CBRNE
Product Watch
ACADA, JCAD and Hazmat ID contracts
Smiths Detection has increased its market share of the US military chemical detection market with two contracts. One is a $23.8 million contract for the supply of the M4 JCAD – the LRIP portion of the contract, with an expectation for follow on contracts for version one JCAD. This was small beer compared to the $75 million contract for further Acada units for the DoD. Acada, based on the GID3, has been a nice contract for Smiths with frequent follow on contracts. With the JCAD version two competition coming up, both contracts should stand them in good stead. At the other end of the scale was a $7.2 million contract from the USAF for Smiths Hazmat detectors, Hazmat ID and APD2000. This was for the Civil Engineer Support Agency of the USAF, and was an expansion on the original $4.5 million contract placed last year. As well as the two detectors, Smiths is also delivering 24-7-365 reachback support for Hazmat ID.
Contracts such as these undoubtedly helped Smiths Detection in their selection for the first phase of the US Navy’s Improved Point Detection System (IPDS). While only four systems have been procured for evaluation it would be difficult to see anyone seriously challenging Smith’s chances in US military CWA detection.
Avon seeks better protection for UK police
Those with long memories will remember that Avon won the contract to supply all UK police with escape hoods in 2005. This plum contract shrivelled when what had been a country-wide contract turned into a free choice from individual police forces. The EH20 Hood, which had been developed in conjunction with the Police CBRN Centre, has now only been rolled out to Scottish police and response paramedics of the National Health and Ambulance Service. British politicians are now taking up the banner to ensure that Chief Constables have the correct PPE for terrorist attacks – so far Michael Ancram MP, Andrew Murrison MP and Security Minister Tony McNulty MP are in the schwerpunkt. “While the political battle over the failure of the government to honour its contract for at least 170,000 hoods to equip emergency service personnel will rumble on, our main priority is to make sure Chief Constables are aware they have the responsibility to buy this life-saving piece of equipment for their officers,” said Avon’s Jim Naylor.
Wise old owl?
Owlstone have been quietly developing an improvement on the trusty IMS system – their FAIMS (Field Asymmetric IMS) – which they believe offers advantages far in advance of traditional IMS. They currently have a $3.7 million contract from the DoD and would like interested parties to go to www.owlstonenanotech.com.
Testing times
Drager, famous for their tubes and masks, announced their Bio-Agent Test – a “fast, immunological” test for anthrax, SEBB, ricin, Y.Pestis and Bot Tox. Using a swab, the substance can be entered into the test and provides an answer in anything from three to 15 minutes. The test lasts two years in room temperature and, in addition to the simultaneous tests, individual tests will soon be available.
What connects the US Navy, EOD and isotope identifiers?
Thermo Fisher announced a $6.5million contract from the US Navy for 215 of their identifFinder EOD Isotope Identifier Kits. This is the second order from the Navy and they have an option to purchase another 880 of their EOD kits over the next five years. The kits are supplied with two gamma/neutron detection systems that use digital gamma spectrometers to identify radiological material.
Lord Guthrie jumps onto bandwagon
BioDefense Corp, who produce the MailDefender neutralisation system, have signed up General Lord Guthrie, the former UK Chief of the Staff, to “wake up” the United Kingdom. The Editor, who often suffers from difficulties in this region, was disappointed to find out that this was only to be in regard to the “threat of bioterrorism, which is far more serious than defence experts realise”. Lord Guthrie then raised the spectre of Spanish Flu and the fact that a biological attack would be “likely to be far more devastating than the 9/11 attacks”. I hope that the “defence experts” are listening with pen and cheque book poised…
Feeling Demronic
Radiation Shield Technologies (who keep a notoriously low profile), manufacturers of Demron radiation blocking suits, announced a Nato-funded purchase of their suits to be deployed to the Emergency Situation Ministry of Belarus. Details of the purchase are said to be classified, but Jonathan Elkoubi, General Manager of the reseller Safer America, said, “We cannot provide more details about Nato’s purchase, [but] we can say the sheer volume of suits purchased suggests the deployment and leadership positioning of the Demron technology will continue to expand.” While good news for RST, it is rather worrying that Nato has seen fit to buy these suits for Belarus - it would tend to point to a rather serious problem, Nato does not routinely do this sort of thing. Demron is a lead, toxin and PVC-free nanotechnology that blocks radiation - the only suit the Editor knows of to have verification of such a claim. They deserve more study and recognition, so check them out at www.radshield.com.
A green and pleasant decon
Parteq Innovations, the technology transfer office from Queen’s University in Ontario, feels that it has a solution for the destruction of OPs. Their solution managed a 99 per cent effective destruction of soman, tabun and VX within 30 seconds on liquid agent; when used on contaminated surfaces it managed decon within ten minutes. The reaction products are non-toxic, allowing a greener decon than conventional solutions, and it is safely stored and used under all temperatures. Funding was received from DTRA (among others) and appears to be endorsed by ECBC.
I’m all in
Alexeter Technologies have announced their new Collection Swab for use with their BioDetect field tests. It includes a polyester fiber-tipped swab, a collection tube, a buffer reservoir and sample dropper tip. The system is designed to make the whole field collection process more reliable and cost effective than other systems available, and a built-in filter stops sample overloading, which in turn reduces failed tests.
Eurosatory watch
Avon protection will have their ST53 exhibited for the first time, allowing visitors to see the benefits of their system which allows users to seamlessly swap between SCBA and negative pressure.
HMS will have their always-interesting Triton research and analysis portfolio around (and their back catalogue is always worth browsing) and will also be discussing their counter-IED training.
Allen Vanguard will now be able to show the whole range of their products, now that the merger with Med Eng is complete. So, as well as the EOD9 suit and dual tank trike, there will also be a chance to see the Digital Vanguard and BombTec Defender.
Cristanini, the Italian decontamination company, will be involved in the dynamic outdoor display. This is always a big draw, despite the lack of seats and (usually) chronic heat, and Cristanini will be hosing down a wide range of vehicles. As well as this, they will have their external booth – E150, Lane D – and their Internal Booth (C255). These will house their truck-borne decon system, DDMAS.
Remploy, will also be exhibiting their range of garments at R200C, this follows on from their Frontliner garment being certified by NFPA and SEI for meeting the 1994-2007 Standard for Protective First Responder ensembles.
Teledyne Brown expand services
Teledyne Brown Engineering announced a $92 million follow on order from USEC to manufacture and deliver 540 gas centrifuges. The service modules will start to be delivered through early 2011 and are expecting to create another 200 jobs in the Huntsville area.
By Osiris’ Beard!
Osiris Therapeutics, producer of Prochymal, is the latest recipient of a DoD Med CM windfall. Prochymal, which repairs gastrointestinal injuries caused by radiation poisoning (useful in the story below), was awarded a $224.7 million contract to develop a stockpile. The US military have also switched from the Smallpox vaccine Dryvax to Acambis’ ACAM2000, all unused Dryvax will be destroyed after Feb 29, 2008 – the US vaccinates about 15,000 people a month against smallpox. While Europe might whinge, the gap between the US and the rest of the world in vaccines and Med CM is becoming enormous.
Threat Watch
How inconsiderate!
The publication of the Spring edition of CBRNe World was almost held up by the non appearance of the Las Vegas Police. When the Editor enquired what had happened to them, it was suggested that he turn on the news where he found they were dealing with a ricin attack - a fair excuse! Quite what exactly happened is still unknown - with the main protagonist still in hospital - but at the moment it seems to be worthy of its own film. Roger Von Bergendorff had debts, clothes and a “vial of ricin” to his name; it appears that the former (which included the IRS, hospitals, his “motel” and two former girlfriends - none of which are the sort of people to forget) drove him to use the latter. He called 911 with respiratory problems, was admitted to hospital (and at this point went into a coma and exited stage right - possibly pursued by bear).
The police who attended found guns and an anarchist-type book in his room. A fortnight later his cousin, Thomas Tholen, was clearing out his room when he came across a bag. He took it down to the motel’s front desk where an argument ensued about who should open it. The ensuing fracas brought in a massive police response which saw seven individuals - Tholen, three police and three motel employees - checked into hospital, although all were later cleared of any ricin poisoning. Ricin, castor beans and a recipe for ricin were all found in Von Bergendorff’s room, yet the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police have downplayed rumours that it might have not been a ricin inhalation (and the hospital are not confirming anything). Off screen, Von Bergendorff has now emerged from his coma and is helping police and the FBI with their enquiries, but he is still said to be in a critical condition. In what can be a surprise to no-one, Bergendorff was indicted by Federal court.
As well as the vial of ricin (which, US media screamed - could have killed 522 people!), they also found a .22 Browning with silencer, and another silencer with no serial number. He is facing up to 30 years in prison and a possible $750,000 fine. So far he is pleading not guilty to possession of a biological toxin
CBRNe World is very grateful to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police who, despite all this excitement, were still able to make deadline!
Extreme caving
The Russian cave siege, which has been going on since November 2007, has resulted in two deaths at time of writing. The Doomsday cult entered the cave on the advice of their Prophet, Pyotr Kuznetsov, who would have joined them if it had not been for prior commitments. Of the original 35 that entered the cave about 11 remain, the others have left after the cave walls started to collapse due to heavy rain. Currently security forces are besieging the cave, but are unable to enter due to the threat of detonating “poison gas canisters” – though the nature of the gas is not known.
Food poisoning
Two Palestinians were picked up by Shin Bet after they were tipped off that they were going to attack a restaurant in Ramat Gan, Israel. The pair had been due to pick up a white, flavourless, odourless poison from Al Aqsa Matyrs Brigade to poison the diners at the Grill Express restaurant where they worked. This is not the first time similar organisations have tried to co-opt chefs into murdering civilians - a similar attempt in 2002 was also disrupted.
Misery loves company
Just to show it is not just the US where miserable teenagers seek to extend their misery to their “friends”, there is a new trend in Japan to finish yourself – and others – off with hydrogen sulphide. About a 100 people in Konan City fled their homes after smelling the toxic chemical after a 14-year-old mixed two common chemicals together. Nobody else was seriously affected, barring sore throats, but the girl achieved her objective. Japan has one of the world’s highest suicide rates and officials are trying to block websites that offer suicide tips.
Please forward any items for consideration in this section to the editor, Gwyn Winfield This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it