Close
Back
Download NATO’s broadcast-quality video content free of charge
Log in
No account?
Forgot your password?
NATO MULTIMEDIA ACCOUNT
Access NATO’s broadcast-quality video content free of charge
Create an account
Check your inbox and enter verification code
We have sent a verification code to your email address.
.
Enter the code to verify your account. This code will expire in 30 minutes.
You have successfully created your account
From now on you can download videos from our website
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would also like to subscribe to the newsletter and receive our latest updates, click on the button below.
Reset password
Enter the email address you registered with and we will send you a code to reset your password.
Reset password
We have sent a verification code to your email address.
Enter the code to verify your account. This code will expire in 30 minutes.
Create a new password
The password must be at least 12 characters long, no spaces, include upper/lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
Your password has been updated
Click the button to return to the page you were on and log in with your new password.
A new technology to be prototyped by NATO and partner countries in 2005 could save hundreds of lives by providing early detection of improvised explosives or suicide bombers.
Anew technology to be prototyped by NATO and partner countries in 2005could save hundreds of lives by providing early detection of improvisedexplosives or suicide bombers.
Attacks with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are one of the maincauses of death and injury among Allied forces and a major threat tocivilian populations. The March 2004 attacks in Madrid were carried outwith explosives in backpacks, detonated by mobile phones.
Countering this type of terrorist activity is the number one priorityin NATO’s Programme of Work for Defence Against Terrorism, launched in2004. Progress in developing this new technology was reviewed at thespring meeting of the Conference of National Armaments Directors, 27-28April.
A first prototype in 2005
NATO’sefforts in this area are currently focused on stand-off detection ofexplosives, where tests of laser-based systems have been particularlypromising. Research and experimentation on such systems will continuein the coming months in cooperation with Spain - the lead country forthis initiative - Allied Command Transformation and national industriesfrom NATO and partner countries.
The aim is to fully develop a prototype stand-off detection capabilityby the end of 2005. This prototype will be based on the LIBS technology(Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy), which will use a laser beam toidentify the chemical composition of various substances, includingexplosives, at safe distances.
Due tothe complex nature of the threat, no single ‘silver bullet’ willresolve all problems relating to IEDs. NATO is therefore alsoconsidering a range of other countermeasures, in the field ofdetection, protection from and destruction of IEDs.
Relevant emerging technologies include neutron-base devices, biosensorsand ion drift spectrometers for detection, and high power microwavesfor jamming remote-controlled detonators.
As for the other technologies developed under the programme, theprocurement of resulting equipment will be decided by countries,individually or collectively.