A prototype radar scanner that can detect explosives concealed on a person has been brought into Turkey to find potential suicide bombers in public spaces.
The portable scanner was bought by Bülent Perut, the Chair ofFederation of Associations of Private Security.
“The device has been used for five years. It scans the crowd before world leaders like British Prime Minister David Cameron and US President Barack Obama attend any event,” he said.
“At present, it has been used only by states, not the private sector. We have promoted it in Turkey for government agencies.”
The portable scanner, nicknamed Mirtle, is manufactured by RPSS firm, of which 75 percent is owned by the British government. At present, it sellsfor $200,000.
Perut said the state-owned company is planning to invest also in Turkey to manufacture the device. “It is intended to import the device to regional countries.”
Mirtle is designed to scan individuals in a crowd at a distance of 30 to 40 meters.
Deputy Chairman of RPSS Carl Cagliarini said the scanner usesuse low-power millimeter wave radar signals that reflect off a weapon and back to the scanner. “A built-in computer determines the presence of dangerous objects and alerts the operator within seconds of detection. Mirtle has been used to detect handguns at schools and suicide bombers who head for crowded public places, streets, schools.”
If Mirtle had been there, suicide bombers could have been detected before they came close to the city metro station or the airport in Belgium, he added.
