The U.S. Military has funded Markland Technologies to develop methods that employ thermal signature analysis to detect, from a distance, weapons and bombs concealed on the persons of terrorists and suicide bombers.

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Research into so-called "stand-off" detection and warning systems—systems that can identify concealed weapons on individual attackers at distances up to 50 meters—will combine existing thermal sensors with new thermal, signature-processing technology.

The order, placed with Markland subsidiary EOIR Technologies, is part of a long-term contract under the auspices of the U.S. Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate.

Currently, there are no adequate technology solutions available to homeland security and military personnel that identify a suicide bomber or a terrorist gunman before the attacker can come close enough to inflict real harm. It is expected that this research project will bring about a significant leap forward in the creation of systems that can detect such attackers.

The new stand-off systems initiatives will build upon modifications to thermal sensors that are already deployed in large numbers throughout the military. These new solutions will augment the thermal imaging capabilities of existing sensors with signal processing techniques that process various wavelengths of light and heat.

Also the new stand-off systems will integrate innovative methods of analyzing human behavior, including unnatural physical movement and facial biometrics that are associated with malicious intent, such as thermal signatures, to increase the ability to identify potential terrorists and other dangerous individuals.