NCJ Number
220992
Journal
Homeland Defense Journal Volume: 5 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2007 Pages: 8,10,12
Date Published
August 2007
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes several initiatives by industry and government that are underway in countering the terrorist threat of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) attacks.
Abstract
Raytheon's vice president for Homeland Security reports that the technology that is available and currently involved in research and development for countering CBRNE attacks is impressive. Regarding her company's efforts, she reports that Raytheon wants to expand on what was accomplished with Advanced Spectroscopic Portal and continue to be a lead systems integrator for domestic and international markets. Raytheon is also involved in developing and improving counter-IED (improvised explosive device) technology. In another venture, the U.S. Government's Joint Task Force Civil Support (JTF-CS) is focusing on saving lives, preventing injuries, and providing temporary critical life support following a CBRNE incident. During the recent Ardent Sentry 07 exercise, JTF-CS coordinated U.S. Department of Defense assets in responding to a simulated nuclear detonation within the city limits of Indianapolis. In a related development, fire departments across the country have begun to purchase much of the same equipment available to the National Guard's Weapons of Mass Destruction/Civil Support Teams (WMD/CST). One of the first analytical tools being purchased is the polarized light microscope, which has been proven useful for the rapid identification of suspicious powders or biological materials. The features of this technology are described in this article. The article concludes with a description of electromagnetic pulse weapons. They are able to disrupt communications and computing platforms as well as to destroy electronic components. There are concerns that these weapons will be used by terrorists to destroy a nation's electronic-based infrastructure. Efforts must be launched to protect sensitive infrastructure and critical systems from these types of attacks.