RIDGEFIELD, Conn., Dec. 22, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Markland Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:MRKL), a defense and homeland security company transforming advanced laboratory technology into real-world products, has announced a military-funded program to develop methods utilizing thermal signature analysis for detecting from a distance concealed weapons and bombs on the persons of terrorists, suicide bombers and other individual assailants. Robert Tarini, Chairman and CEO of Markland, made the announcement.
Markland's research into so-called "stand off" detection and warning systems - systems that can identify concealed weapons on individual attackers at distances up to 50 meters - will combine existing thermal sensors with new thermal signature-processing technology to create tools to help military and police personnel screen for would-be assailants.
"There are currently no adequate technology solutions available to homeland security and military personnel that can help them identify a suicide bomber or terrorist gunman before the attacker can get close enough to inflict real harm," said Mr. Tarini. "We believe that Markland's research may represent a leap forward in the creation of systems that can detect these attackers with a degree of success."
Markland's concealed weapons stand-off systems initiatives are based on modifications to thermal sensors that are already deployed in large numbers throughout the military. The new stand-off solutions will augment the thermal imaging capabilities of these sensors with innovative signal processing techniques that process different wavelengths of light and heat. This will enable the systems to help military and law enforcement personnel more quickly and more easily detect 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, to increase the ability to identify potential terrorists or other dangerous individuals.
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.
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: a reduction in order rates from the Army's Night Vision and Electronic Surveillance Directorate, 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.
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