Chicago (IL) –The state of Florida has purchased a mobile nuclear radiation detection system from Raytheon. The mobile SUV-based unit is expected to improve the state’s ability to safeguard against nuclear terrorist threats on highways, bridges, overpasses, tunnels, ports of entry and public venues.
“These systems have been developed to meet a critical need shared by every state with a large city,” explained Raytheon spokesperson Mary Petryszyn. “In this case, we are providing the state of Florida the proven capability that it needs to protect its citizens against nuclear threats.”
The detector utilizes advanced spectroscopic capabilities to quickly and accurately identify nuclear “threat” material. According to Raytheon, the system “addresses the threat of radiological dispersal devices, improvised nuclear devices or a nuclear weapon being used by terrorists inside the United States.”
It should be noted that the Obama administration has pledged to “focus on reducing the risk” of attacks carried out with improvised nuclear devices by “enhancing” detection architecture and response methods.
“By establishing well-planned, well-rehearsed, plans for coordinated response, we will also ensure a capability that can dramatically diminish the consequences of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents,” the administration explained on the White House website.
