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.
COSMIC Press Release
14, May 2019
https://www.cosmic-cbrne.eu
COSMIC awarded 3.5 Million Euro for inspection system to detect CBRNE threats in containers
TEL AVIV, Israel, May 14, 2019 – Lingacom Ltd., a provider of muon-based detection solutions, announced today that the COMSIC Consortium has been awarded a 3.5 million Euro contract by the European Commission’s prestigious Horizon 2020 Research Funding Programme for the development of an advanced inspection system for CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives) threats in shipping containers.
The threat of CBRNE materials used by terrorists is a major concern for EU and worldwide security. At present, high throughput, efficient inspection for CBRNE in containers is still a key challenge. The challenge of improving container border crossing and critical infrastructure entrance security checkpoints is of global importance in fighting terrorist threats, theft and smuggling.
COSMIC project partners, December 2018 Rotterdam
The COSMIC project brings together nine organizations to bridge the gap for fast inspection of large number of containers at seaports and at crossing borders checkpoints for CBRNE threats. The project includes 3 commercial companies (Lingacom, SEADM and ATOS), three research institutes (Technion, Ben-Gurion University and the Spanish National Research Council), and three end-users (Dutch Customs Administration, Israel National police and Spain’s Guardia Civil).
The 30-month project, which is co-funded by the European Commission, started in October 2018. A kick-off meeting was held in Rotterdam on December 2018 and the next meeting will be held in Tel Aviv in June, 2019. The project will be finalized during 2021 by three-field test that will be hosted by the end-user partners at three seaports in Europe and Israel.
COSMIC project brings an innovative system solution based on a three-stage architecture, employing a combination of new CBRNE sensors. The COSMIC three-stage solution has been optimized to facilitate fast and reliable detection of CBRNE threats in shipping containers. COSMIC’s innovative sensors include chemical and explosives sensors for both primary and secondary stages, biological sensors capable to analyze biological threats (bacteria and viruses) at the field and a new approach for primary and secondary detection of shielded nuclear and radioactive materials using a muon cosmic ray sensor.
“This new contract enables COSMIC project to support the European Commission’s objective to protect European citizens from transported CBRNE threats” said David Yaish, Lingacom CEO and COSMIC project Coordinator.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For additional information about COSMIC, visit https://www.cosmic-cbrne.eu/
Or contact the Project Coordinator via email: David Yaish – david@lingacom.com
