Arktis Radiation Detectors has announced that the detailed design of its newest detection system presented to the Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency (DARPA) passed the Critical Design Review.
The new technology will provide a step change in capability over current nuclear detection systems on the market, at only a fraction of the cost, and has been designed by engineers at Arktis as part of its contract within DARPA’s SIGMA Program.
The new detectors being developed are designed to facilitate monitoring for nuclear and illicit radioactive materials over wide areas when networked, providing a detection capability far beyond that of protection technologies typically used today.
Arktis is preparing to mass produce their new detectors at the DARPA-required cost profile and is now gearing up for full-rate production with the first batch of 200 detection systems expected in 2016.
The production of these new systems comes at a time when governments and agencies across the world are becoming increasingly aware of the threats posed by terrorists with access to nuclear or radiological weapons such as dirty bombs. The new technologies being developed for DARPA aim to mitigate these threats.
Rico Chandra, Chief Executive of Arktis commented “To be working with an organisation that is focused on delivering transformational change in the security sector is a perfect fit for us. And the timing is right: In these times of geopolitical tensions we see an important opportunity to contribute substantially to a safer world for all.”
Source: Arktis Radiation Detectors, adapted.