General Atomics

Smiths Detection LCDs selected by JMOD

Smiths Detection is to supply LCD 4 personal chemical detectors to the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) for deployment via its Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).


 
Image courtesy Smiths Detection

 
Following an extensive and competitive product evaluation by the JMOD, the LCD3.3 and LCD 4 were chosen for their performance, flexibility and easy integration into the JMOD system.  
 
Dr Sarah Robinson, Portfolio Director – CBRNE at Smiths Detection said: “The JMOD’s decision to invest in this technology underlines the LCD’s status as the most widely deployed personal chemical detector in armed forces across the globe.

“We are customising this new consignment to meet the specific detection demands of the JMOD and, of course, to include a Japanese language option.”
 
Compact and wearable, the LCD 4 provides advanced warnings, detecting and identifying gas and vapour threats at or below immediate danger to life and health (IDLH) levels. Using the latest Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) technology, it can determine the agent or type, class, concentration and dosage of chemical exposure.
 
In the future, a simple XID add-on could expand the gas and vapour detection capabilities to include solid and liquid sampling; plus detection of narcotics, explosives and low-volatility chemical traces such as Novichok (a new chemical warfare agent).
 
Handled locally by Smiths Detection’s distribution partner, S.T. Japan, the contract includes a total of 462 units with delivery staggered between January and March 2025 and January 2026.

Related

Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures
Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures has chosen London for its first office outside the United States, with at least $100 million earmarked for UK and European defence technology start-ups.
Edinburgh Airport partners with Airportr for home and hotel baggage collection
Edinburgh Airport
Edinburgh Airport partners with Airportr for home and hotel baggage collection
Edinburgh Airport has introduced baggage collection through Airportr, allowing easyJet passengers to check in bags before arriving at the terminal.
Aerospace

16 Jul 2026

Intelligent Energy debuts heavy-lift hydrogen UAV powertrain 
Drone power train
Intelligent Energy debuts heavy-lift hydrogen UAV powertrain 
Intelligent Energy has introduced a 120kW hydrogen fuel cell powertrain for heavy-lift fixed-wing UAVs capable of carrying payloads of up to 750kg.
RAF awards Boeing £127m E-7 sustainment contract as first aircraft nears service
RAF E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft
RAF awards Boeing £127m E-7 sustainment contract as first aircraft nears service
The £127.5 million sustainment award will support around 180 jobs in Scotland as the first RAF Wedgetail completes final testing and a second aircraft begins flying.
Defence Insights Most Read

16 Jul 2026

RAF confirms GCAP will require sovereign boom refuelling capability
6th generation fighter Tempest being developed under the global combat air programme (GCAP)
RAF confirms GCAP will require sovereign boom refuelling capability
Britain’s sixth-generation fighter will use boom rather than probe-and-drogue refuelling, forcing the RAF to address a longstanding gap in its Voyager tanker fleet.
Defence Most Read

16 Jul 2026

Syensqo joins Team Cheyenne for US Army MV-75 programme
US Army MV-75 Cheyenne.
Syensqo joins Team Cheyenne for US Army MV-75 programme
Syensqo has joined Bell’s MV-75 Cheyenne supplier team, providing lightweight composite materials, adhesives and speciality polymers for the US Army’s next-generation tiltrotor.
Defence Member News

16 Jul 2026

ESA selects Keysight to develop 5G NTN anomaly detection
6G network
ESA selects Keysight to develop 5G NTN anomaly detection
Keysight will serve as the prime contractor, collaborating with Sateliot to support key technical development and satellite mission integration.
Member News Space

16 Jul 2026

Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures
Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures has chosen London for its first office outside the United States, with at least $100 million earmarked for UK and European defence technology start-ups.
ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS at Farnborough International Airshow
ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS has passed 2,000 member organisations for the first time, following a record year of membership growth across aerospace, defence, security and space.
UK defence SMEs unite under new Spearhead delivery collective
Spearhead SME member representatives
UK defence SMEs unite under new Spearhead delivery collective
Twenty-eight UK-owned defence and security SMEs have formed Spearhead, offering government and prime contractors access to specialist capability through one contract and one accountable delivery team.
Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures
Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures has chosen London for its first office outside the United States, with at least $100 million earmarked for UK and European defence technology start-ups.
ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS at Farnborough International Airshow
ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS has passed 2,000 member organisations for the first time, following a record year of membership growth across aerospace, defence, security and space.