Topics in this issue include destruction of chemical weapon facilities, CBRNE Tech Index launch, nuclear fuel transport safety, and anti-mine studies.
In This Article
Syria Begins Destruction of Chemical Weapons Facilities
Damascus last year handed over 1,300 metric tonnes of toxic agents after joining the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), but it is months behind schedule in destroying the facilities used to make and store its deadly stockpile. Reuters >>
DHS S&T Makes it Easier and Cheaper for First Responders to Communicate
A new low-cost interoperability solution developed by the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate could save the first responder community millions of dollars. S&T says that the Radio Internet Protocol Communications Module (RIC-M), used by local, state, and federal responders, is a low-cost, external, stand-alone, interface device that connects radio frequency (RF) system base stations, consoles and other RF equipment — regardless of brand. HSNW >>
Chemical Weapons Sniffed Quickly by Zappy Detector
Air containing a potential weapon sample is drawn into the device and zapped with electricity, charging the vapour, which starts to break down chemicals in the sample. A counter stream of air whisks away any highly reactive ions created by the zap that might otherwise destroy small amounts of the broken-down weapon molecules. What’s left is then identified by a mass spectrometer. New Scientist >>
France Evaluates Bids for Anti-Mine Study
A team led by BAE Systems, DCNS and Thales is in the lead in a competition for a study to develop an unmanned underwater system to fight against sea mines, a key project for Anglo-French defense cooperation. An evaluation is under way for a selection, with French firm iXBlue and the UK unit of German specialist group Atlas Elektronik partnered as the competitor in the bilateral tender. Defense News >>
MRIGlobal Officially Launches CBRNE Tech Index
A new comprehensive online database of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) detection equipment, the CBRNE Tech Index, was officially launched this week by MRIGlobal. The site aims to provide a venue for manufactures to display products and allow the users to make informed decisions on which product meets their needs. Global Biodefense >>
NRC Celebrates A Milestone — 40 Years of Safety and Service
It’s been 40 years since the Nuclear Regulatory Commission began operations on January 19, 1975. To be sure, the agency inherited a mixed legacy from its predecessor, the Atomic Energy Commission. The AEC had established an approach to reactor safety still used today, but critics claimed it worked too closely with the nuclear industry to promote nuclear power. As a new agency, the NRC had to demonstrate that it would be an unbiased, independent regulator. U.S. NRC >>
Women Changing the Face of the Nuclear Industry
The first woman to become an authorized nuclear operator at Bruce Power – and the third to do so in Canada – is encouraging other young women to explore non-traditional career paths. The certification was a grueling three-and-a-half year process, made easier by the mentorship and support of her father, who had been a shift operating supervisor. Shoreline Beacon >>
Russia Ends US Nuclear Security Alliance
In previously undisclosed discussions, Russians informed the Americans that they were refusing any more US help protecting their largest stockpiles of weapons-grade uranium and plutonium from being stolen or sold on the black market. The declaration effectively ended one of the most successful areas of cooperation between the former Cold War adversaries. Boston Globe >>
FLIR Launches New Firefighting Camera with Ultra-Sharp Thermal Image
The new K55 incorporates FLIR’s Flexible Scene Enhancement technology which produces ultra-crisp thermal imagery and is also equipped with on-board video recording, which is ideal for evidence gathering and training purposes. JEMS >>
Homemade Bombs are Threats that are Not Going to Go Away
With this asymmetric warfare likely to remain the norm, IEDs will continue to be the biggest single threat to our soldiers on the ground – as well as being a growing threat to civilian populations. It is vital that the experience and knowledge gained in fighting IEDs in Afghanistan is not lost. Moreover, we need to ensure the best possible collaboration between military and civilian law enforcement entities. Security Europe >>
The Future is Now – Safe Used Nuclear Fuel Transport and Storage
Used nuclear fuel transport and storage in the U.S. were hot topics at INMM’s Spent Fuel Seminar last week. Perspectives from the Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, AREVA TN, and other companies explored the latest concepts and innovations through presentations including high burnup fuel transport, horizontal storage systems, and aging management inspection. Areva >>
Ebola PPE Q&A with DuPont
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an important part of the worldwide fight against Ebola. Recently, Global Biodefense interviewed David Domnisch, Global Marketing Manager, Protective Apparel, DuPont Protection Technologies to learn more about Ebola PPE from DuPont. Global Biodefense >>
Japan Nuclear Plant Worker Dies After Falling Into Tank
A worker at Japan’s wrecked nuclear power plant died after falling into a water storage tank, the latest in a growing number of accidents at the site still struggling to clean up the mess from the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Seattle Times >>