The Lightweight Chemical Detectors are a highly advanced non-radioactive chemical warfare agent point detector capable of automatically detecting, identifying and quantifying both chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals.

The initial contract was awarded on July 28, 2004, with seven subsequent awards for additional detectors and services for government testing. Over the past 18 months, Smiths Detection has supplied the Joint Program Office with 140 LCDs for evaluation and remains the only company involved in Increment One of the JCAD Program.

"The LCD is designed to save the lives of our troops by automatically alerting them to the presence of chemical and toxic industrial substances," said Tim Picciotti, Vice President and General Manager US Military, Smiths Detection. "With roots dating back 20 years, the LCD has matured into a state-of-the-art, compact, rugged, wearable device designed to provide an additional layer of safety and protection for our troops."

Smiths Detection's LCDs also have the flexibility to be mounted in various forms of military transportation such as wheeled or tracked vehicles, aircraft and ships. Currently, variants of the LCD unit are in service by the armed forces of a number of other countries.

The next major milestone in the JCAD program is the Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) decision with an anticipated award in December 2006. Per the Federal Budget, released in February 2006, over 4500 LRIP units will be procured followed by the Full Rate Production (FRP) decision at the end of FY07.

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