PATRICK AFB, Fla., 17 Jan. 2007. U.S. Air Force scientists are hiring Midwest Research Institute in Kansas City to do research and development in support of a global network of nuclear event detection sensors.
Midwest Research won a $7.5 million contract Jan. 16 to do research and development for the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.
AFTAC is in charge of operating and maintaining the U.S. Atomic Energy Detection System, which consists of nuclear event detection sensors throughout the world. AFTAC laboratories analyze data from disturbances detected underground, underwater, in space, or in the atmosphere for nuclear identification.
Midwest Research specializes in sensor testing and development, biotechnology, information technology, and GIS/hyperspectral remote sensing, as well as in chemical and biological defense.
The institute is part of Boeing Co.-led team that is modifying the ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle to look for biological warfare agents. For this project Midwest Research experts are designing the electrostatic precipitators used in the air sampler.
Midwest Research should finish the AFTAC support job in September 2011. Awarding the contract was the Air Force 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.
