Smiths Detection Awarded $23.8 Million Department of Defense Contract Option to Supply...

Smiths Detection Awarded $23.8 Million Department of Defense Contract Option to Supply M4 JCAD, The U.S. Military's Next Generation Chemical Agent Detector

Lightweight Chemical Detector Alarms to Chemical Warfare Agents
and Toxic Industrial Chemicals to Protect Those on the Front Line
EDGEWOOD, Md.--(Business Wire)--
Smiths Detection, part of the global technology business Smiths
Group, today announces that its Military unit has been awarded a $23.8
million contract option to supply the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
with lightweight detectors under its Joint Chemical Agent Detector
(JCAD) program, potentially the biggest of its kind in the world.

The M4 JCAD is based on the Smiths Detection Lightweight Chemical
Detector (LCD), widely adopted by military forces globally. The
advanced chemical point detector has been developed to detect both
chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals (TICs). The M4
JCAD is smaller and lighter also offering soldiers better detection
capabilities than chemical point detection systems currently in
service. It also benefits from the use of a non-radioactive technology
compared with previous generations of detectors.

"This award underlines our position as world leader in chemical
agent detection. JCAD is expected to become one of the most
significant and largest chemical detection programs in the world,"
said Stephen Phipson, Group Managing Director, Smiths Detection. "It
is a truly unique and sophisticated means of providing next generation
technology to protect front line forces from a range of chemical
threats."

The award is part of a Low Rate Initial Production contract won by
Smiths Detection under Increment 1 of the JCAD program. A Full Rate
Production decision by the DoD is anticipated within months, with
potential orders for up to 54,000 additional M4 JCAD units.

Smiths Detection became involved with the JCAD program in 2004 by
supplying LCD units for evaluation into Increment 1, culminating with
its selection as the most capable detector in June 2007. In the same
year, Smiths Detection was selected to participate in the first major
phase of Increment 2 of the JCAD program and supplied the DoD with
multiple detectors for evaluation over the following year. The
long-term potential for the JCAD Increment 2 program is for production
of up to 120,000 units for the detector selected.

"Smiths Detection is proud to have been selected to supply the
U.S. military with the M4 JCAD, bringing a significant increase in
capability to the troops," commented Mal Maginnis, President, Smiths
Detection- Global Military and Emergency Responders. "Not only is the
JCAD used as a point detector to monitor ambient air for a chemical
threat, it can also be used as a survey instrument to check for
contamination. This is a capability that previously required two
instruments and is now packaged in one--the M4 JCAD."

Smiths Detection has an outstanding record of producing advanced
chemical detection units, deploying over 130,000 chemical detectors
around the world, including more than 41,000 GID-3 units supplied
since 1998 to fulfil the DoD's ACADA program. Smiths Detection is
committed to continuing development and providing the most advanced
technology to those on the front lines.

About Smiths Detection

Smiths Detection is part of the global technology business Smiths
Group. It offers advanced integrated security solutions for customers
in civil and military markets worldwide and is a leading technology
developer and manufacturer of sensors that detect and identify
explosives, chemical and biological agents, weapons, and contraband.
Its advanced technology security solutions also include Smiths Heimann
x-ray imaging systems, millimeter-wave technology and a specialist
software supply business for the management of large sensor and video
surveillance networks. Separate business units focus on related
products for the life sciences, and food manufacturing industries. For
more information visit www.smithsdetection.com

About Smiths Group

Smiths is a global technology company, listed on the London Stock
Exchange. Smiths Group is a world leader in the practical application
of advanced technologies. Its products and services make the world
safer, healthier and more productive. Smiths Group has three divisions
focused on the high growth detection, medical devices, energy and
communications markets. It employs more than 20,000 people in over 50
countries. For more information visit www.smiths.com

Smiths Detection Military
Olivia Deffenderfer, 401-510-9281
olivia.deffenderfer@smithsdetection.com
or
Coltrin & Associates (For Smiths Detection)
David Olsen, 212-221-1616, X-118
david_olsen@coltrin.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008