NEWS
BAE SYSTEMS Deploys Chemical Detection System Using Wind River's Integrated Embedded Technology
By using the JCAD ChemSentry, military and first responder personnel are quickly able to identify the presence of chemical agents. The unit can be hand-held, installed in vehicles and aircraft, or network installed for perimeter defense. The ChemSentry can be used to detect unwanted chemicals at sporting events, airports and other locations host to large gatherings.
"BAE SYSTEMS chose Wind River technology in the design of our JCAD ChemSentry because of the environment it operates in," said Ronda Foster, BAE SYSTEMS Vice President and General Manager. "We need strong off-the-shelf solutions that don't fail under pressure. Using proven technology, we are able to concentrate on implementing the features that make JCAD ChemSentry such a powerful tool without worrying about the robustness of the underlying technology."
The BAE SYSTEMS JCAD ChemSentry detects, identifies, quantifies, warns, and reports the presence of nerve, blister, and blood agents and provides real-time detection of toxic industrial chemicals. The unit is capable of accumulating and reporting miosis-level cumulative concentrations of one chemical agent, while still providing a rapid alarm response indication to a high concentration exposure from a different agent. It can store up to 72 hours of cumulative dosages and chemical alarms in its on-board memory for hazard level reporting or download, and may also be used as a surface contamination survey instrument to pre-sort vehicles, equipment, and personnel.
"In light of recent worldwide events, never has homeland security been more important," said Steve Blackman, director of marketing for Wind River's Aerospace and Defense business unit. "Wind River has a long history of providing reliable and secure solutions for the aerospace and defense market, and continues to sharpen its focus on this market. We're especially proud to provide companies like BAE SYSTEMS the technology they need to develop and deploy products that ultimately help save people's lives."
In addition to utilizing Wind River operating system technology, the JCAD ChemSentry also implements Wind River's Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) network management tool. This allows remote management and configuration of individual devices and helps individual units communicate with one another as well as other portable devices. The unit interfaces to the user with a digital / graphic liquid crystal display, and provides for external data interface via an RS-232 port. Weighing less than two pounds, it is capable of operating under a variety of external power sources as well as in a wide range of temperatures, altitudes and environmental conditions including blowing sand and rain, freezing rain, salt fog, and salt spray. JCAD ChemSentry is the commercial variant of the Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD), the next generation chemical agent point detection system developed by BAE SYSTEMS for all U.S. joint service military chemical point detection applications. JCAD, which also uses the Wind River technology, is now entering final validation testing prior to fielding.
About Wind River
Wind River is a worldwide leader in embedded software and services for creating connected smart devices. Wind River provides software development tools, real-time operating systems, and advanced connectivity software for use in products throughout the Internet, telecommunications and data communications, digital imaging, digital consumer electronics, networking, medical, computer peripherals, automotive, industrial automation and control, and aerospace/defense markets. Wind River is How Smart Things Think™. Founded in 1983, Wind River is headquartered in Alameda, California, with operations worldwide.
Wind River Systems, the Wind River Systems logo, VxWorks, WindNet, and How Smart Things Think are trademarks of Wind River Systems, Inc. All other names mentioned are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective companies.
Contact Information
Jessica Miller
Global Corporate Communications