Smiths Detection acquires Farran Technology

Officials at Smiths Group Plc in London recently announced the acquisition of Farran Technology Ltd. The purchase expands the range of technologies offered by Smith’s Detection division. Farran, based in Ireland, is developing millimeter-wave technologies for the detection of hidden weapons and explosives and for other applications. Using the electromagnetic radiation naturally emitted by all objects, Farran is applying its millimeter-wave technology to create an image that pinpoints the presence on a person of metallic, ceramic, and other materials, including plastic explosives. Farran’s detection portal has been tested successfully in the laboratory and prototype field trials are expected to begin within 12 months, Smiths officials say. Farran also designs and manufactures microwave subsystems components for broadband wireless and imaging applications. For more information visit www.smiths-group.com.

ImageWare ID-management solution attains initial FBI Livescan Certification

San Diego-based ImageWare Systems’ IWS Law Enforcement identity-management solution received initial FBI certification. The system provides integrated fingerprint and palmprint biometric management for civil and law enforcement use. This initial certification was obtained using the Smiths Heimann’s LS1 LITE-Ue. Attaining this certification represents compliance with FBI’s Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) Image Quality Specifications (IQS). “In addition, by utilizing the IWS Biometric Engine, ImageWare provides additional solutions from background checking to worldwide identity management,” says Jim Miller, ImageWare’s chairman and chief executive officer. “The Company is pursuing additional FBI certifications that will further expand our identity-management solutions.” The IWS Biometric Engine is a biometric identity-management platform for multibiometric enrollment, management, and authentication, managing population databases of unlimited sizes. The IWS Law Enforcement system is a digital booking, identification, and investigative solution that enables users to digitally capture, search, store and retrieve images and demographic data including mug shots, scars, marks and tattoos (SMTs), and fingerprints. For more information, visit www.iwsinc.com.

Deepwater program scores success with Matagorda

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Matagorda, on its first operational patrol after going through a major conversion program as part of the Coast Guard’s Integrated Deepwater System program, stopped a smuggling boat in the Florida Straits that was attempting to bring 25 Cuban migrants into the country illegally earlier this year. The go-fast was initially spotted by the crew of a C-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Clearwater, Fla., 40 miles southwest of the Dry Tortugas heading north at high-speed with no lights. Matagorda was diverted and assumed the role of on-scene commander to coordinate the interdiction effort. After a long chase, the smuggling boat, was safely stopped two miles south of the Dry Tortugas. One program within Deepwater is the conversion of existing 110-foot patrol boats into the renovated and improved 123-foot maritime patrol boat. Matagorda was decommissioned in Miami in January 2003 after 17 years of service to become the first ship to go through this program, upgrading its operational capabilities and extending its service life.

DHS wants information concerning the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center

The Department of Homeland Securityís (DHSís) Science and Technology directorate has issued a Request for Information concerning the management and operations (M&O) of the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC). The Request for Information will help Homeland Security’s Science and Technology directorate identify the level of interest from for-profit and nonprofit or not-for-profit M&O contractors; gather information on the capabilities available for the effective management of the NBACC facility; and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the base of prospective contractors and potential teaming arrangements. The NBACC facility will function as part of the National Interagency Biodefense Campus at Fort Detrick, Md. The Request for Information will be published on the web site of the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (www.usamraa.army.mil), under “News.”

Pa. expands Lockheed Martin’s information-sharing system

The Incident Information Management System (IIMS) developed by Lockheed Martin in Bethesda, Md., for the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) has expanded its coverage region and is now in use in southeast Pennsylvania. The system, which enables real-time sharing of law enforcement and homeland security information, is already in use in the Harrisburg area. Lockheed Martin, performing under a $127 million four-year contract, is the systems integrator for IIMS. The southeast regional center in Norristown consolidates incident calls in the region and is the second of five centers that will provide statewide coverage. It began serving Philadelphia in November and recently added Montgomery and Berks Counties.