MILIPOL 2015: FLIR Systems Shows Off Handheld Explosive Detector for Military Use

One of the world's lightest and most sensitive handheld explosive detectors in use with military forces - FIDO X - is from FLIR Systems. The device shown at MILIPOL 2015 is an easy-to-use detector based on the company's multi-channel fluorescence technology, detecting military, homemade, and liquid explosives. It supports on-site decision-making with fast colour-coded 'Go/No-go' alarms on a screen with multiple selectable languages. The latter is a sunlight-readable colour display with 32,000 colours. Samir Al-Ghazal, Technical Sales Manager Europe, Africa and Middle East, said to MT that the device delivers visible, audible, and vibration alerts, and the analysis, "takes less than 10 seconds," offering a real-time detection capability. Weighing less than 1.4kg, the detector is MIL-STD-810G tested, surviving complex environmental conditions. Power supply is by two rechargeable lithium-ion batteries offering approximately eight hours of operation.

FLIR Systems Shows Off Handheld Explosive Detector for Military Use, FIDO X2 and GRIFFEN 844. (Photos: STN)

FLIR Systems Shows Off Handheld Explosive Detector for Military Use, FIDO X2 and GRIFFEN 844.

FLIR Systems also developed a lighter explosive detector for non-military usage, named FIDO X2, shown for the first time at MILIPOL. This device does not have a hardened case and display, however, and will not be qualified for military use.

Stefan Nitschke