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New Hand-Held Vapor Detector to be Used for Aviation Security

The light-weight, portable device can detect and identify explosive substances, including peroxide-based chemicals, in as little as 10 seconds.

Smiths Detection announced the launch of a hand-held vapor detector for volatile chemicals commonly used in home-made bombs. The SABRE EXV, using Smiths Detection's proven Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) technology, is a light-weight, portable device that can detect and identify explosive substances, including peroxide-based chemicals, in as little as 10 seconds.

Stephen Phipson, group managing director of Smiths Detection, said: "The SABRE EXV will fill a gap in detecting IEDs for the military and airline industries in particular. Its development demonstrates Smiths Detection's commitment both to partnering with our customers and to R&D on products that fill an immediate, critical need."

Peroxide-based chemicals found in common household products have been used as the basic ingredients of many IEDs which are relatively easy to make and difficult to detect. They have been used in a number of high-profile terror plots in recent years and the SABRE EXV has been developed specifically to combat those threats.

Mark Laustra, Vice President of Homeland Security for Smiths Detection, said: "Peroxide-based explosives continue to be a major challenge to security officials and a serious threat to the traveling public. The SABRE EXV will provide aviation security officials and the military a reliable, light-weight detector that can detect these unstable chemicals, which pose a threat when assembled as part of a bomb or while being transported."