COSMIC – CBRNE Detection in Containers
The threat of CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives) components used by terrorists is a major concern for EU and worldwide security. Today there is a major security gap in the existing security flow that can be exploited by terrorists to hide and smuggle CBRNE materials inside containers and vehicles. The challenge of improving container and vehicle border crossing and critical infrastructure entrance security checks is of great importance in fighting terrorist threats, theft and smuggling. A study by the EC indicates some of the main CBRNE threats including biological weapons which could be used to attack people in city centers or infrastructure. It was also reported that in the US alone, there were more than 1,300 reported incidents of lost, stolen, or abandoned devices containing sealed radioactive sources. Report summarizes the “historical attacks using chemical or biological weapons” list 23 attacks, demonstrating the attempts and capability of terrorists to acquire CBRNE materials to prepare CBRNE bombs.
COSMIC plans to bridge the major security gap for fast inspection of large number of containers and vehicles in sea port and in crossing borders for CBRNE materials. COSMIC’s technology can be adapted also to air containers. COSMIC proposes a novel technological approach for the detection of CBRNE materials hidden in shipping containers. COSMIC project includes the research, design and implementation of a three stage (primary, secondary, focused manual inspection) detection system using new set of innovative sensors.
COSMIC plans the introduction of new CBRNE Sensors for all three stages
New chemical sensors for primary and secondary stages
New innovative sensors capable to analyze biological threats at field instead of lab.
- Bacteria detection in liquids and solids
- Virus detection based on physical tests.
New approach in primary and secondary for detection of shielded nuclear and radioactive materials.
- New sensor based on Cosmic Rays Muons.
New Explosives sensors for primary and secondary based on air extraction.
Analysis of the data gathered by the different sensors of the system, and accordingly management of the three stages inspection.