RIDGEFIELD, CT--Aug 19, 2004 -- Markland Technologies, Inc. (OTC BB:MRKL.OB - News) (http://www.marklandtech.com), an integrated homeland security company, announced today that EOIR Technologies Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Markland, has developed a wide area infrared remote sensing technology to detect chemical agents.
This technology is unique due to its ability to detect a variety of harmful chemicals from a safe distance, in some cases miles away from the point of release. In the event of a potential attack on a major city, this device could be used to remotely detect the total scope of the harmful gas, and the type of chemical threat that was released. This information would be transmitted to first responders and control centers to determine the proper response, and minimize the harm and damage.
EOIR Technologies has developed the wide area standoff chemical detection capability using a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) sensor. The FTIR sensor was designed for use by the US Army under the Small Business Innovative Research Program (SBIR). This project successfully demonstrated the capability of the FTIR sensor to detect and characterize concentrations of chemicals or gases at a significant distance from the source. The wide area detection unit is still in a prototype stage, and EOIR is developing a production unit.
Originally envisioned as a device to monitor chemical releases on the battlefield, the possible applications for this new FTIR based sensor in the Homeland Security marketplace include major cities, crowded areas such as sporting events or conventions, mass transportation and port security. The FTIR sensor is capable of autonomous un-attended wide area surveillance. It has built in pan/tilt capability and demonstrates a 360 degree field of view scanning capability. Hyper-spectral signal processing allows for signature analysis of a broad array of potential chemical agent threats. These features make the sensor very suitable to solving problems that have been difficult to resolve by other means. This sensor when utilized in combination with portable ACADA point chemical detection systems, can offer a fully integrated chemical detection solution for many applications in the DOD and Homeland Security marketplace.
"The Wide Area Detection system can work alone, or as a comprehensive detection system when combined with our existing shipboard ACADA system," said Ken Ducey, President of Markland Technologies. "This is another example of our commitment to create comprehensive, turn-key solutions to the problems we face with protecting our Homeland. This system will be helpful to Municipalities, Port Authorities, Military Bases, and other large areas where a chemical release can cause harm." About Markland Technologies Markland Technologies, Inc is committed to helping secure America by providing innovative emerging technologies and expert services to meet the country's needs to protect our people, our borders and our infrastructure assets. The Company is a Board member of the Homeland Security Industries Association (http://www.hsianet.org).
"Forward-Looking Statements" Investors are cautioned that certain statements contained in this document as well as some statements in periodic press releases and some oral statements of Markland Technologies officials during presentations about Markland Technologies, are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Forward-looking statements include statements which are predictive in nature, which depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, which include words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions. In addition, any statements concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible future actions, which may be provided by management, are also forward-looking statements as defined by the Act. Some of the factors that could significantly impact the forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to: difficulties integrating our acquisition of EOIR, insufficient cash flow to continue to fund the development and marketing of the Company's products and technology; a rejection of the Company's products and technologies by the marketplace, and; disputes as to the Company's intellectual property rights. Forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about Markland Technologies, its products, economic and market factors and the industries in which Markland Technologies does business, among other things. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and Markland Technologies has no specific intention to update these statements. More detailed information about those factors is contained in Markland Technologies filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact: Contact: Markland Technologies, Inc. http://www.marklandtech.com ECON Dawn Van Zant 866-730-1151 dvanzant@investorideas.com Trevor Ruehs truehs@investorideas.com
Source: Markland Technologies