The Canadian military forces, seeking a system able to detect biological agents, turned to engineers at General Dynamics Canada, a business unit of General Dynamics in Calgary, Alberta.

Canadian Forces personnel, as part of the Vital Point Bio-Sentry program, awarded a $ $26.3 million contract to General Dynamics Canada for its VP Bio Sentry system.

The General Dynamics VP Bio Sentry biological agent detection and sampling system is designed to detect aerosolized biological agents in seconds to help reduce the soldier’s exposure. The VP Bio Sentry system’s real-time detection technology was developed in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Canada in Suffield, Alberta, and combined with rapid-identification technology.

The VP Bio Sentry system will be employed by Canadian Forces to address emerging asymmetric threats from rogue nations and terrorists. “It demonstrates the ability of Canadian industry to work together with government R&D labs and the Canadian Forces to develop world-class solutions to emerging threats,” says John Watts, president of General Dynamics Canada.

Work on this project will be executed at General Dynamics Canada facilities in Calgary and Ottawa, with contributions from team member SIL in Saskatoon and a key supplier in Quebec. For more information, visit General Dynamics Canada online at www.gdcanada.com.