DHS seeks long-range radiation detector

DHS seeks long-range radiation detector The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Monday it awarded contracts to three companies to develop long-distance radiation detection systems. The current generation of radiation portal monitors only works in relative close proximity to a nuclear weapon or radioactive material.
   The Stand-Off Radiation Detection Systems will be developed by Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC), General Electric Global Research and the Naval Research Laboratory under a contract potentially worth up to $33 million.
   The DHS Domestic Nuclear Detection Office is trying to produce advanced radiation portal monitors that can identify the type of radiation signature and whether it comes from a benign or dangerous source. The large-scale, standoff detectors are intended to automatically determine the type, direction, energy and location of radiation sources.
   Possible applications include deployment at border crossings, sea lanes and air surveillance, DHS said.