Exploring cutting-edge technologies for detecting suicide bombers
Experts from the NATO-Russia Council (NRC)-NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme examined technologies which could form part of a follow-on project to the successful NRC-SPS-sponsored STANDEX (stand-off detection of explosives) Project. Meeting in Tours, France from 3 to 5 December, participants also looked at ways to advance detection technologies developed in STANDEX and considered technologies to help address potential threats once detected.
“This meeting served as a first step in exploring the possibility of developing a follow-on project within the framework of the NATO-Russia Council,” said Dr Deniz Beten, Senior SPS and Partnership Cooperation Advisor at NATO Headquarters.
Over 50 participants examined 24 proposals outlining cutting-edge technologies in the field of explosives detection and alarm management.
The STANDEX project developed technology to remotely detect explosives concealed on a suicide bomber in a crowd, in real time. The success of this technology was clearly demonstrated when it was tested earlier this year in a European metro system. STANDEX technology has the potential to protect millions of people who use public transport across NATO nations and Russia.
A flagship initiative of the NATO-Russia Council, the STANDEX project is a concrete example of NATO-Russia cooperation in a domain where common threats require common solutions. Launched in 2009, it was designed and developed jointly by a consortium of Dutch, French, German, Italian and Russian laboratories and businesses, pooling their skills and know-how.