Edgewood, MD,- Smiths Detection today announced the award of two orders totaling almost $21 million from the U.S. Army under the Department of Defense’s Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD) program.

Mal Maginnis, President of Smiths Detection, said: “As one of the largest chemical warfare protection projects in the world, JCAD has played an important role in Smiths Detection’s history. Our ability to deliver highly cost-efficient solutions on schedule is a key factor in the program’s on-going success.”

The JCAD is based on Smiths Detection’s LCD product line of advanced, light-weight, threat detection devices that can be easily strapped to a belt. The LCD is a low-cost system that protects police, hazmat and Special Forces by testing the air and providing an immediate warning if dangerous chemicals such as warfare agents and toxic substances are detected.

The enhanced M4A1 JCADs, which have started delivery, are manufactured in Smiths Detection’s facility at Edgewood, Md. The plant, which employs nearly 230 people, recently expanded to help meet demand from the U.S. military for the JCAD program. It is the main US manufacturing plant for X-ray and a range of chemical warfare detection systems. The two latest orders comprise one of $4.9m and another of $16.9m.

Smiths Detection designs and makes advanced solutions to detect and identify threats including explosives, chemical agents, biohazards, nuclear, radiation, narcotics, weapons and contraband. A market leader worldwide in providing layered security technologies, Smiths Detection has major plants in three U.S. states. It partners federal and state government agencies and first responders to strengthen homeland security and safeguard the military. Major customers include the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is part of Smiths Group, a global leader in the practical application of advanced technologies. Smiths Group employs around 23,000 people, including more than 9,000 in the U.S. where it operates around 100 sites in 40 states.