Army seeks long distance explosive detection scanners for people

The U.S. Army is seeking to rapidly deploy long distance chemical detection devices that are capable of detecting explosives hidden on people. Ideally, the devices will be able to sense the presence of explosives on people standing, walking, or running from as far away as 100 yards.

The Army wants to be able to field these capabilities within a year, so it is only considering mature technologies that are ready to be implemented.

On Wednesday, the Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate at Fort Belvoir, Virginia issued a sources-sought notice specifically for hyper-spectral imaging technology designed for long distance explosives and chemical detection.

Devices should be capable of being mobile as the Army intends to mount them on extendable masts on vehicles.

In addition, the sensors must be able to detect explosives with an accuracy of two centimeters on people approaching at twelve miles per hour at a range of 330 feet during daytime, night time, and poor weather situations.

The detection system should process data at a mobile workstation in a vehicle. That data would then be streamed via RF data link to a central processing and analysis station.

The Army has chosen to pursue hyper-spectral sensor solutions over multi-spectral sensors due to their increased sensitivity and ability to detect more subtle variations.

Multi-spectral imagery relies on sensors that measure the amount of reflected energy within a specific set of bands within the electromagnetic spectrum, like visible greens and reds. In contrast, hyper-spectral sensors have the ability to measure reflected energy along a broader number of electromagnetic bands and more sensitive to fluctuations in reflected energy.

The request for proposals will close on 6 May.