ICx delivers underwater radiation detection devices

Published 29 October 2007

The Coast Guard is bolstering its ability to detect underwater smuggling of nuclear materials into the U.S.; one way to do so is to equip the service with ICx’s identiFINDER-U

Arlington, Virginia-based ICx Technologies, said it has completed delivery to Thermo Fisher of nearly 250 identiFINDER-U hand-held radiation detectors for deployment by the U.S. Coast Guard. Orders for a further twenty-three have recently been received for delivery by the end of 2007. The identiFINDER-U is the underwater operable version of the identiFINDER series of hand-held digital gamma spectrometers. Offering the features of the standard version, the identiFINDER-U is watertight to depths of up to thirty-three feet, and the device is also suitable for other harsh, high humidity environments. “We are pleased to be supporting the U.S. Coast Guard in its critical patrol mission,” said Juergen Stein, president and CEO of ICx’s radiation business unit based in Oak Ridge. “Playing a part in their protection of our shores and waterways is a privilege we do not take lightly.”

The identiFINDER family of handheld, digital gamma spectrometer and dose rate measurement instruments allows the user to locate a radioactive or nuclear source and, once the source is found, identify the isotope(s) in an easy to use system. The identiFINDER performs gamma spectrometry and nuclide identification with performance that meets or exceeds ANSI N42.34 for radiation detection. The comoany has been providing radiation measurement, monitoring and detection instruments mainly used for homeland security applications, but which are also in use by first responders, research establishments, nuclear power plants, industrial, and environmental customers.