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EADS North America Signs Agreement With NAVOTECHDIV to Refine Threat-Detection TechnologyARLINGTON, VA, Mar 02, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- EADS North America has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Naval Explosive Ordnance Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) to adapt the capabilities of its Unattended Luggage Inspection System, or ULIS. The man-portable ULIS is able to identify both the presence and location of chemical, radiological and explosive threats located in ordnance, parcels, or luggage. Under the terms of the CRADA, EADS North America and EADS subsidiary Sodern will customize the system's algorithms to adapt its functions to Navy requirements. Development work is expected to take place over the next several months. The result of the CRADA will be a product customized for the U.S. Navy mission. "With the push of a button, ULIS allows explosive ordnance disposal teams to identify and characterize material threats concealed in everyday objects," said EADS North America CEO Sean O'Keefe. "We are looking forward to working with NAVEODTECHDIV to customize the product and provide the greatest possible protection for disposal teams and the general public." Safe to use and weighing less than 75 pounds, ULIS is comprised of only two elements: a portable detection head and a companion laptop computer. The system projects neutron particles at an object, such as a piece of luggage, quickly identifying the type, location and mass of suspicious material. From as close as 12 meters in open space, the operator can get an automatic indication of a threat or no-threat condition with supporting 3-D images to aid in the response. EADS North America, a prime contractor to the Department of Defense and top-ten solutions provider to the Department of Homeland Security, currently offers a range of best-value solutions to the U.S., including aviation platforms, sensors and detectors, and communications products. Globally, EADS is a homeland security leader with successful programs implemented in many countries from Europe to the Middle East. As part of the company-wide focus on innovation through research and development, EADS Sodern has been developing the ULIS solution since 2007 using internal funding. About EADS North America EADS North America is the North American operation of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. As a leader in all sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute over $11 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 200,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers and services. Operating in 17 states, EADS North America offers a broad array of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland security, aerospace and defense markets. About EADS EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. In 2009, the Group -- comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter -- generated revenues of EUR 42.8 billion and employed a workforce of more than 119,000. Contact: Stephanie Diehl Office 1-703-236-6010 Mobile 1-571-296-9608 Email Contact www.eadsnorthamerica.com SOURCE: EADS North America http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=36C3C8F536208522 http://www.eadsnorthamerica.com/ |