Iraq Spends $85 Million on Fake Bomb Detectors
A recent investigation by the BBC claims that a bomb detection device from a UK security company is not effective at all. The exclusive report leaves a particularly bad taste when you consider Iraq has spent over $80 million on these devices.
If ATSC's ADE-651 worked, it could save hundreds, maybe thousands of lives. Unfortunately, it seems the device is a hoax. If the Beeb is to be believed, the device is nothing more than a radio antenna connected to a plastic handle. The whole thing is hooked up to a card reader that more than likely does nothing. It doesn't have a PSU and it does not require batteries. The London Times reports that last November, Jim McCormick told the newspaper his device was able to detect explosives in the same way as a dowsing rod finds water.
Now, a lot of people are skeptical of dowsing for water, so it's no wonder there was plenty of naysayers who refused to believe this worked when it was first launched. And, now that the BBC has shed considerable doubt on the matter, police have opened up an investigation. A ban has been placed on exporting the device from the UK and police arrested the McCormick.
A force spokesman told the times, “We are conducting a criminal investigation, and as part of that, a 53-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of fraud by misrepresentation. That man has been released on bail pending further inquiries."
ATSC claims the device can detect even a small amount of explosives from distances of up to one kilometer, be it underground, above ground or even in the air. When the Times tested the device, they found it was unable to detect fireworks in a paper bag a few feet away.
For those of you wondering how Iraq managed to spent $85 million on these things; each one reportedly costs $40,000.
Watch the video below for the BBC expose and a demo (at 4:58).
Image via CrunchGear
Read more on the Times Online.
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Since dowsing doesn't work, it's no surprise that a device that uses the "same method" also doesn't work.
PWNT!
You've got to be kidding me... that's just absolute incompetence on the part of Iraq's government, EPIC FAIL.
You've got to be kidding me... that's just absolute incompetence on the part of Iraq's government, EPIC FAIL.
With enough "greasing" anything works... at least in commercials and/or leaflets.
Makes you think who's in charge of decision-making in governments.
Remember swine flu? Egypt slaughtered over two-hundred thousand pigs to prevent an outbreak. Brilliant, except there was no threat or connection between swine flu and Egyptian pig livestock.
Logic dictates someone in charge should have the expertise to back-up their job title, unfortunately when it comes to government jobs that isn't always the case, as a result things like this unfortunately happen and the cost is innocent lives.
They bought 2,125 units at $40,000 each without first validating that they were more than radio antennas with plastic handles attached? And they didn't suspect anything fishy, seeing that it works without any kind of power? Who the hell is the buyer at the Iraqi governement?!?!
Anyone want to buy a radon gas detector from the 80's? lol
You mean $85 million in US tax dollars spend on fake Iraq bomb detectors, right?
Seeing as my government is supporting iraq this disgusts me.
I would bet money, that whom ever approved the device purchase, in iraq new the device was bogus, furthermore, I bet some corrupt American politician has a take in that as well, this has Cheney stench all over it.
This story is so sad I couldn't even post my normal quick response. It's just sad!
I can't believe this actually got through all the process' I'm sure were needed to purchase these. Snake oil for the 21st century.
This story is so sad I couldn't even post my normal quick response. It's just sad!
sad story is sad
I've read about this months ago. They (Iraqi police) were shown that the detectors were not better at findings bombs that plain old-fashioned (free) guessing. Not 85 Million USD (not free) guessing. I'm sure they help to deter some people from smuggling bombs. Once they don't get caught several times on the way through it's repeated over and over. Another example of wasted Govt. spending.
Couple of things:
1- I think this is old news.
2- Is it sadder that this was probably bought with US taxpayer $$$
3- Is is sadder still that they were purchased at US gov't suggestion?
Hmm....
True "Green" energy - using the body static electricity to power the device is "Awesome". And only 40K and some change? I wonder why this isn't selling in the US? It's because it's made of the same anti-theft stickers the stores uses LOL. How can any person in their right mind find this product to work is beyond me. Though, being naive I might think it could work, but I'm sure it took more than one person to make such a huge decision to say "Yes" let's buy that thing it works as advertised. Still really sad though.
The only way I could see this even being remotely a "good idea." Is 1. that the appearance of any device able to detect bombs or explosives is a deterrent. If someone believes or thinks that they actually detect bombs they are less likely to attempt something within its proximity (much like the fake video cameras in some business).
2. The supplements and government rebates for purchasing items can dramatically increase the "price" of an item (everyone remembers the million dollar toilet NASA bought and all the other expensive nuts and bolts). It isn't that the individual items or even end product cost a million dollars but with all the rebates and such the "price" increases dramatically.
Barring all that if these were indeed retailing for $40K and no one saw through the smoke screen... just wow. Words can't describe the ineptitude of this mistake.
"Is is sadder still that they were purchased at US gov't suggestion?"
Nope, the US doesn't use this device, nor do any NATO members. In fact the United States advised Iraq not to buy these things. Now, the Middle East isn't exactly known for having a thriving scientific community but this has got to be a new low, one that costs lives almost every day.
Oh well, Cheney thought climate change is bogus and Hugo Chavez these days goes out to spread the message that the US actually caused the earthquake in Haiti using a secret electromagnetic superweapon (el Presidente spends a little too much time on conspiracy websites it seems). I guess you can't trust politicians with science, except Angela Merkel of course
Oh the irony of news reporting. Now the bad guys know that these scanners are cr@p and probably will take advantage of it.
Ha, this guy will walk. Where was the fraud?? He said it worked just like dousing for water. In other words he said, from the get go, this device is a novelty toy manufactured for amusement purposes!
Turns out that those naked radiation scanners that are being peddled to airports the world over are also a novelty that does not detect bombs, go figure!
Searching people who have one way tickets, depart from a terrorist harboring country, traveling alone, sport a beard and a Koran, did not check bags, have no money on them or to their name, and who's fathers warn the US embassy that they are terrorists would be a lot more effective at finding bombs. BUT, it would be considered politically incorrect, so instead we have antennas attached to plastic handles. L. Oh. L.
Lol. "Hey these guys are selling light sabers!"
"No way... do they work?"
"Why would they try to sell us something that doesn't?"
"You have a point, let's buy then all!!"
No one thought to actually test it?
Doesn't matter if they "tested" it, but they've been using the damn things and they aren't working. I mean, they used them and CONTINUED to use them. Someone once called that insanity. I think he's right.
well for a while the detectors maybe scared off a few bomb strapped terrorists, I mean you dont walk thru a metal detector with a shotgun in your pants do you?
Detect explosives from 1km away? This tech must be from aliens.
Here is the "training" video of this device.
How the hell they make it work at that time?
http://video.google.com/videoplay? [...] firefox-a#
They fake bomb detectors are needed to detect the fake weapons of mass destruction.
probably the seller was a terrorist and worked with corrupt officials to swindle a whole lot of money. the outcome might therefore be more real bombs.
the page of the product http://www.prosec.com/ADE651.htm
is funy
they should of saved their money, paid some terrorists to steal a nuke and then blow themselves up... it would save a lot of time and headaches seriously...
Since dowsing doesn't work, it's no surprise that a device that uses the "same method" also doesn't work.
I beg to differ... Dowsing for water DOES work, for some. Why, I do not know, but I have seen it, done it, and enjoyed the results. Good dowsers can pinpoint a borehole location to within a meter, even tell you how many meters down you have to drill.
That said, I do have doubts for this device....