NATO leading development of microwave imaging system to detect explosives, weapons

Experts from NATO member-countries will collaborate on the development of a microwave imaging system that will be able to detect explosive devices and firearms in mass transportation hubs, NATO announced on Monday.

Experts from France’s Office National d’Etudes et de Recherches Aérospatiales, Ukraine’s Usikov Institute for Radiophysics and Electronics at the National Academy of Sciences, and Seoul National University in South Korea will partner on the development and testing of a microwave imaging system called the Microwave Imaging Curtain (MIC).

The system will be capable of detecting explosives and concealed weapons in real time as passengers travel through airports, metro and rail stations, and other transportation infrastructure. Co-funded by NATO Peace and Security (SPS) Programme and the General Secretariat for Defense and National Security of France, plans call for the MIC to be ready for on-site demonstrations by 2020.

MIC builds on earlier NATO initiatives to help detect explosives. In 2013, NATO conducted live testing of technology capable of detecting suicide vests and other concealed explosive devices. The program, known as Stand-off Detection of Explosives (STANDEX), can identify and track concealed explosives in real time.