Bomb detection that works at a distance and can pinpoint threats unobtrusively in masses of people: NATO, together with five of its biggest members plus Russia say they have developed a new system.<br /><br /> With the release of video of secret testing at a commandeered underground location in a European capital, officials said the Stand-off Detection of Explosives and Suicide Bombers system (STANDEX) “could help NATO allies and Russia prevent terrorist attacks”.<br /><br /> A project leader said that with STANDEX deployed, the attacks on Madrid, Moscow and London public transport users might have been prevented.<br /><br /> Pierre Charrue referred to bombings in 2004, 2005 and 2010: “At that time, critical infrastructure for transport – mass transport in particular – was protected much less effectively than air transport. NATO, specifically the NATO-Russia Council, decided to develop technologies to protect this type of infrastructure.” <br /><br /> Work on STANDEX was launched in 2010. <br /><br /> The new system finds both the suspect and the position of any suspicious material on one body among many – say subway commuters. A series of detectors analyses all data gathered.<br /><br /> Senior engineer Mikhail Korolev said: “This is a really interesting example of international cooperation; the terrorist threat is not just local, for one country or region to handle; it’s a worldwide problem. We need to put together all the ‘good’ forces of society in order to solve it.” <br /><br /> STANDEX uses microwaves to detect significant molecular structures in moving crowds.<br /><br /> The project is co-sponsored by the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme. Britain, France, Italy, Russia, Turkey, and the United States put up the €4.8 million first phase funding for the combined Dutch, French, German, Italian, and Russian new standoff technology.
