By Ashley Young-
An £88 million contract has been awarded for the development of advanced chemical detection sensors, capable of identifying and monitoring toxic industrial chemicals and chemical warfare agents.
This groundbreaking technology, led by Strategic Command in collaboration with a pan-defence team, will provide wearable personal chemical agent sensors, enabling thousands of individuals in the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force to detect numerous toxic chemical threats promptly, ensuring their safety and that of others.
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This pioneering initiative marks a first for the UK Armed Forces, as the wearable sensors will have the capacity to detect various chemical threats, whether in vaporous or aerosol form, offering comprehensive protection against multiple modes of chemical dispersal.
Under this contract, Smiths Detection, a UK-based company, will develop three next-generation chemical sensor products for the Ministry of Defence (MOD), with an operational target of 2028:
Wearable Personal Chemical Agent Sensor: A device that continuously monitors the user’s surroundings, providing real-time threat detection.
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Survey Chemical Agent Sensor: A portable device designed for checking potentially hazardous areas or surfaces.
Remote Capable, Standoff Chemical Sensor: An advanced sensor suitable for fixed locations, enhancing overall surveillance capabilities.
Crucially, these sensors will remain adaptable and upgradeable to address emerging chemical hazards, thus ensuring long-term effectiveness and relevance.
The contract not only advances the protection of UK service personnel but also contributes to the nation’s economic growth. By supporting Smiths Detection and creating several new jobs at their Hemel Hempstead site, the contract aligns with the UK Prime Minister’s economic development priorities.
Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, commented on the importance of this cutting-edge technology, emphasizing its role in safeguarding service personnel.
He said: ‘It’s vital we protect our Service Personnel, and this cutting-edge techology is so important to reduce the threat posed by toxic chemicals across a range of environments globally.
‘Not only is it an impressive piece of equipment that will be designed and manufactured here in the UK, but the ability for it to be continually developed and improved is exactly how we want Defence procurement to be – deliverable, effective and ambitious.
Smiths Detection President, Roland Carter, expressed the company’s honor in being selected for this significant project, underlining their decades-long expertise in chemical sensing technology. Carter noted that their technology has played a vital role in protecting defence forces and communities from evolving threats, making the world a safer place.
He said: ‘We’re honoured to have been selected by the UK Ministry of Defence to supply this next-generation technology.
‘Since our business inception, nearly 70 years ago, we have been designing, developing, manufacturing, and servicing chemical sensing technology. This technology protects defence forces, including the UK MoD, and communities from known and emerging threats.
‘This award is testament to our leading technology and the knowledge, commitment and ingenuity of the people in our organisation who everyday help to make the world a safer place.
Detecting chemical threats is an integral part of the UK’s Counter-Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear capability.
This contract, executed by the UK MOD’s procurement arm Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), supported by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), encompasses the development, manufacture, and initial in-service support of this groundbreaking programme’.
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