Smiths Detection awarded $23.8 million Department of Defense Contract Option to supply M4 JCAD, the U.S. Military’s Next Generation Chemical Agent Detector

Lightweight Chemical Detector Alarms to Chemical Warfare Agents and Toxic Industrial Chemicals to Protect Those on the Front Line

Edgewood, MD, 17 March 2008 - Detection, part of the global technology business Smiths Group, today announces that its Military unit has been awarded a $23.8 million contract option to supply the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) with lightweight detectors under its Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD) program, potentially the biggest of its kind in the world.

The M4 JCAD is based on the Smiths Detection Lightweight Chemical Detector (LCD), widely adopted by military forces globally. The advanced chemical point detector has been developed to detect both chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals (TICs). The M4 JCAD is smaller and lighter also offering soldiers better detection capabilities than chemical point detection systems currently in service.  It also benefits from the use of a non-radioactive technology compared with previous generations of detectors.

“This award underlines our position as world leader in chemical agent detection. JCAD is expected to become one of the most significant and largest chemical detection programs in the world,” said Stephen Phipson, Group Managing Director, Smiths Detection. “It is a truly unique and sophisticated means of providing next generation technology to protect front line forces from a range of chemical threats.”

The award is part of a Low Rate Initial Production contract won by Smiths Detection under Increment 1 of the JCAD program.  A Full Rate Production decision by the DoD is anticipated within months, with potential orders for up to 54,000 additional M4 JCAD units.

Smiths Detection became involved with the JCAD program in 2004 by supplying LCD units for evaluation into Increment 1, culminating with its selection as the most capable detector in June 2007. In the same year, Smiths Detection was selected to participate in the first major phase of Increment 2 of the JCAD program and supplied the DoD with multiple detectors for evaluation over the following year. The long-term potential for the JCAD Increment 2 program is for production of up to 120,000 units for the detector selected.

“Smiths Detection is proud to have been selected to supply the U.S. military with the M4 JCAD, bringing a significant increase in capability to the troops,” commented Mal Maginnis, President, Smiths Detection- Global Military and Emergency Responders. “Not only is the JCAD used as a point detector to monitor ambient air for a chemical threat, it can also be used as a survey instrument to check for contamination. This is a capability that previously required two instruments and is now packaged in one—the M4 JCAD.”

Smiths Detection has an outstanding record of producing advanced chemical detection units, deploying over 130,000 chemical detectors around the world, including more than 41,000 GID-3 units supplied since 1998 to fulfil the DoD’s ACADA program.    Smiths Detection is committed to continuing development and providing the most advanced technology to those on the front lines.

About Smiths Detection
Smiths Detection is part of the global technology business Smiths Group. It offers advanced integrated security solutions for customers in civil and military markets worldwide and is a leading technology developer and manufacturer of sensors that detect and identify explosives, chemical and biological agents, weapons, and contraband. Its advanced technology security solutions also include Smiths Heimann x-ray imaging systems, millimeter-wave technology and a specialist software supply business for the management of large sensor and video surveillance networks. Separate business units focus on related products for the life sciences, and food manufacturing industries. For more information visit www.smithsdetection.com

About Smiths Group
Smiths is a global technology company, listed on the London Stock Exchange. Smiths Group is a world leader in the practical application of advanced technologies. Its products and services make the world safer, healthier and more productive. Smiths Group has three divisions focused on the high growth detection, medical devices, energy and communications markets. It employs more than 20,000 people in over 50 countries. For more information visit www.smiths.com

Media Contacts:   
Olivia Deffenderfer    
Smiths Detection Military   
401-510-9281      
olivia.deffenderfer@smithsdetection.com 

David Olsen 
Coltrin & Associates (For Smiths Detection)
212-221-1616, X-118 
david_olsen@coltrin.com