EADS develops SONEX-P portable explosive detection device

EADS North America has developed SONEX-P portable explosive detection device, intended to detect chemical, radiological, nuclear or explosive threats in suspicious objects.

Capable of detecting explosive threats in 90 seconds, the man-portable SONEX-P uses a separate algorithm to support missions for law enforcement, homeland security and first responders, who deal with suspicious packages, abandoned bags and non-ordnance explosive threats.

EADS North America chairman and CEO Sean O’Keefe said that the SONEX-P will enable first responders and explosive ordnance disposal teams to detect and characterise material threats in everyday objects.

"We are working with the Navy to customize the product and provide the greatest possible protection for disposal teams, first responders and the general public," O’Keefe added.

Weighing less than 55lbs, the autonomous SONEX-P system features a portable detection head and a companion laptop computer and can be deployed quickly to scan threat objects in urban environments.

Initially, the system scatters neutron particles at the target object to quickly identify the type, location and mass of suspicious material, following which the operator receives automatic indication of a threat or no-threat condition in 3-D images.

EADS received access to Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) munitions from a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) for testing the systems detection algorithm to enhance live ordnance and inert ordnance detection.