Markland Technologies (fka MKLD)

[ProfitScout]

Markland Technologies to Accelerate Research and Development of New Detection Systems Following Recent Suicide Bombings in Iraq

Company's Research Efforts Directed Towards "Stand-off" Technology to Identify Concealed Bombs and Weapons from Safe Distances

RIDGEFIELD, Conn., Dec 28, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Markland Technologies, Inc. ( MRKL ), a defense and homeland security company transforming advanced laboratory technology into real-world products, has announced plans to focus additional research resources on the development of technology to help stop suicide bombers and other terrorists. The announcement was made by Robert Tarini, CEO of Markland.

Last week Markland announced an Army research and development contract to create new "stand-off" detection technologies that can help soldiers and other security professionals spot suicide bombers or gunmen before the assailants get close enough to complete their attacks. The innovative thermal systems are being designed to detect attackers at distances up to 50 meters.

Just a day after Markland's announcement, however, a suicide bomber detonated a bomb in a crowded Army mess hall at a military base in Mosul, Iraq, killing 22 people, according to military spokesmen. Militants linked to Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack. The explosion wounded 69 others.

"The tragic suicide bomber attack on our troops in Mosul last week painfully demonstrates that we must push to extend our military's technological edge," said Mr. Tarini. "The war on terror requires that we provide our soldiers and our civilian security forces with better means of detecting would-be suicide bombers and other potential armed attackers. To that end, Markland will continue its efforts to develop more effective tools to help those on the front lines -- abroad and at home -- stop suicide bombers before they can carry out their attacks."

Markland's concealed weapons stand-off systems initiatives are to use modifications to thermal sensors already deployed in large numbers throughout the military. The proposed new stand-off solutions will augment the thermal imaging capabilities of those sensors with innovative signal processing techniques that process different wavelengths of light and heat. It is intended that this will enable the systems to help military and law enforcement personnel more effectively to detect hidden weapons such as guns or bombs concealed on the persons of would-be attackers and terrorists.

The stand-off systems will also integrate innovative methods of analyzing human behavior, including unnatural physical movement and facial biometrics that are associated with malicious intent, such as thermal signatures. These additional features will increase the ability to identify potential suicide bombers or other dangerous individuals before they carry out their plans.

The Army-funded research is being conducted by Markland subsidiary EOIR Technologies. More details of the Company's research and development efforts in this area can be found at http://www.marklandtech.com/technology_portfolio/ emerging_technologies.html. (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)

About Markland Technologies
Markland Technologies, Inc. is committed to setting next-generation standards in defense and security through the provision of innovative emerging technologies and expert services. The Company is engaged in the identification of advanced technologies currently under development in laboratories, universities and in private industry, and in the transformation of those technologies into next-generation products. Markland's solutions support military, law enforcement and homeland security personnel to protect the nation's citizens, borders and critical infrastructure assets from the threat of terrorism and other dangers. Through strategic development, Markland focuses on the creation of dual-use technology and products with applications in both the defense market and civilian homeland security and law enforcement fields. The Company is a Board Member of the Homeland Security Industries Association, and is a featured Company on HomelandDefenseStocks.com; additional details can be viewed at http://www.homelanddefensestocks.com/Companies/MarklandTech. For more information about the Company and its products, please visit the Markland home page at http://www.marklandtech.com.

Markland Technologies, Inc is a featured Company on http://www.HomelandDefenseStocks.com, a service for which Markland compensates the provider.
For full details, click here: http://www.homelanddefensestocks.com/Companies/MarklandTech/ NewsReleases.asp (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)
The ECON Investor Relations Inc. logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=350.
More information on Homeland Security issues, including news releases, events and experts available for comment, can be found on the Homeland Security Newsline at http://www.primezone.com/hs.

SOURCE: Markland Technologies, Inc.
Markland Technologies
http://www.marklandtech.com
or
ECON Corporate Services
Dawn Van Zant, 866-730-1151
[e-mail]
or
Trevor Ruehs, 866-730-1151
[e-mail]

Copyright (C) 2004 Business Wire. All rights reserved.