Airbus demonstrates capabilities of new threat detection system

Airbus Defense and Space has successfully demonstrated its SONEX-P threat detection system at the company’s storage facility, during which the system precisely detected and identified several hidden explosive threats within in a single scan.

Airbus Defense and Space president Michael Cosentino said: "SONEX-P is automatic detection of threats.

"The SONEX-P system represents the future of threat detection; faster results, clearer views of the threat and a greatly improved degree of safety for first responders and explosives technicians," Cosentino added.

The new system integrates neutron technology with 3D imaging, allowing rapid threat detection and more précised views of a threat than X-ray based detection devices.

The system’s 3D imaging capability and laptop interface enables first responders to cross-examine suspicious packages from a safe distance without handling them.

Capable of completely customising, the new system can also be optimized to identify other emerging chemical, nuclear and radiological threats.

Weighing about 50lb, the new SONEX-P doesn’t require lengthy training to interpret readings and it offers signalling to a live threat with a red light on its console and a non-threat condition with a green light.

Comprising a man-portable detection head and a companion laptop computer, the new system assists working in tandem to identify, detect and distinguish chemical, radiological, nuclear or explosive threats positioned in parcels, luggage, ordnance or abandoned bags.

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