To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. RISING 10 OF 2009 BAE Systems’ $4.5 billion purchase of Armor Holdings in July 2007 already brought it a considerable presence in the US homeland security market. It provides state and local police with vehicles and protection systems, such as tactical vests, helmets and armor. in the past year. The company’s Micro Air Vehicle unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been used successfully in Iraq to detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and more have been ordered. Honeywell also proposed a new concept that would use UAVs to dispense decoys, chaff and flares to protect civilian aircraft from shoulder-fired missiles. In addition, the company developed a safer ammonium nitrate-based fertilizer to make it more difficult to turn into a weapon. 4. Smiths Detection Smiths Detection, London, UK, is the most transatlantic of any detection company. Through at least nine acquisitions in the United States and Europe, Smiths Detection has created a company with a broad market footprint. The breadth of the company in both homeland security and defense enables it to aggressively develop new technologies and move those technologies between markets. In addition to this mobility between markets in detection technology, Smiths Detection benefits from having a broad array of technologies that can be fused to make smaller, lighter, more reliable products. In particular, Smiths Detection is focusing on growth in chemical detection, bio-detection and imaging detection. Generally, there is a goal of making detection products smaller, lighter and more reliable. With this approach, Smiths Detection’s leadership is confident it can outpace the annual homeland security market growth in coming years. 6. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, San Diego, Calif., has established a strong track record with the use of its Predator UAVs by DHS. As of the end of last year, General Atomics had delivered six Predator B UAVs to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), with one more on order. In early 2009, the Predator Bs are scheduled to start patrolling the US border with Canada in addition to the border with Mexico. The Coast Guard is also evaluating a possible purchase of a Predator B with a maritime pod developed for its requirements. Ultimately, that could bring Predators into use in the Caribbean, the Great Lakes and maritime borders of the United States. 7. American Science and Engineering Co. 5. Honeywell International Honeywell International, Morristown, NJ, continues to show considerable commitment to the homeland security market. In May 2008, it completed its $1.2 billion purchase of Norcross Safety Products, Oak Brook, Ill., a manufacturer of personnel safety equipment for emergency responders and industrial use. Honeywell’s homeland security work achieved other milestones American Science and Engineering Co. (AS&E), Billerica, Mass., has made a name for itself with its Z Backscatter vans that have detected IEDs in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its products also offer considerable promise in domestic homeland security markets. CBP began using the company’s Z Portal for vehicle screening at the San Ysidro, Calif., border checkpoint. The company’s SmartCheck Z Backscatter Personnel Screening System is being tested at New 46 April 2009 | www.HSToday.us This month’s issue is now available online at…