India's DRDO Launches Explosive Detection Kit in U.S.

Washington: It looks like a little pocket sized cigar box, but it packs a mighty punch in the fight against terrorism. And now this nifty explosive detection kit, developed by the India's Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), is all set to play its part in the U.S. too.

Widely used in India by bomb detection squads and the armed forces since 2002, the handy kit would be manufactured and sold in the U.S. and other parts of the world by Summerville, South Carolina-based Crowe and Company LLC under a technology transfer agreement,

"We are planning to introduce the EDK to the U.S. Army and U.S. homeland security forces and in other international markets after getting necessary approvals from the U.S. regulatory institutions," said Fay Crowe, CEO and president of the company.

A few drops of four reagents contained in four vials can detect explosives based on TNT, RDX, dynamite, and black powder within minutes with no more than 3 to 5 milligrams of the suspected sample. It also does not require field calibration, power or peripheral devices.

Besides the wallet sized disposable kit for covert and military operations, it's also available in vanity sized field cases for law enforcement and bomb squads. And personnel can be trained in its use in just a couple of hours.