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Editorial for RUSI's World Defence Systems magazine summer 2003 (page 4)

The proliferation of electronic equipment in response to the global threat and the ‘War on Terror’ is impressive. Finger print identification, biometrics, explosive trace detectors all have their part to play. But ‘sexy’ technology must be combined with hard line physical back up if lives are to be saved. We know deep down that the terrorist can strike at any time and in any place. The recent incident of the ‘shoe bomber’, who had he succeeded, would have caused a huge loss of life for the sake of a small amount of explosives, shows that despite all of the high security airport checks which are in place, it is always possible for the terrorist to get through. Had airline staff not been so vigilant another atrocity would have taken place with catastrophic loss of life.

The experience of explosives and terrorist activities in Northern Ireland had led a small band companies to develop state of the art bomb detection and bomb resistant systems as counter terrorist measures. Whilst the political will to keep this activity going in more peaceful times had receded; the world has now awoken to perhaps a greater, more universal, threat.

British companies are well placed to provide the counter terrorist products necessary in today’s uncertain world. Specifiers however must be bold enough to choose proven products and not give generic specifications based on theoretical calculations and generalised assumptions. As a renowned colleague of mine in the field of bomb blast resistant systems is keen to reiterate on copious occasions ‘An ounce of experience is worth a ton of theory.’

Derek Quinn is a Senior Technical Engineer working with the Pensher Skytech technical design team who have developed a range of bomb blast resistant and anti ballistic windows, doors and curtain walling. Some products have resisted actual terrorist incidents in Northern Ireland. Holding testing as the key, Pensher Skytech are continually pushing the limits to see what ultimate levels of bomb blast resistance can be achieved.

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