Widely Used Bomb Detectors Deemed Useless

If you think the pictures in a promotional video are dramatic, just look at the claims made for the device it promotes.

The "ADE-651" is a metal antenna on a plastic handle, sold as a bomb detector that uses no batteries or electronics, reports CBS News correspondent Richard Roth. According to its British distributor, it can point to hidden drugs, guns or explosives and it'll work underwater, underground or in the air.

According to the U.S. military, it's completely useless.

"I can think of no practical application for this beyond party entertainment," said Air Force Lt. Col. Hal Bidlack.

Yet the Iraqi government has spent at least $85 million for about 2,000 of the so-called bomb detectors, and a training program that teaches troops to shuffle their feet to generate static electricity to make the things work.

Now Britain has just banned export of the devices - and arrested the businessman who's made a fortune selling them.

Jim McCormick, a former policeman, is accused of fraud.

But the "ADE-651s" are defended by Iraqi officials who backed their purchase. And they're still in use.

"They're fine for fooling a 4-year-old at a birthday party, but they're immoral if they're trying to save lives at a checkpoint," said Lt. Col. Bidlack.

They're also at checkpoints in Beirut and Amman, Jordan - where the bomb detectors guards are using at one five-star hotel may provide no more security than a magic wand.

[alrato5009]

These are a joke, no electronics inside yet they have wires no batteries they are supposed to work off of static electricity.
These are in use in many countries including mexico to control dugs.
Its about time this clown is in jail.

[FauxNews]

At least taxpayers in the US now know where $85 million of the Iraq aid money went.

[sjc_1]

Ever since the Civil War there have been products sold to the government that they called "shoddy". The term was a noun more than an adjective. Companies always tried to sell the government junk at an inflated price. That is why we have enough procurement laws to fill an encyclopedia now.

[sean71z]

Bomb detection equipment could be used by satellites to improve range and sensitivity. The Air Force chimps should consider its scientific value for uncovering sabotage. The technology is cheap and effective.

[omnibus66]

I'm sure the TSA would love to have some of these things. They look impressive, and they might actually fool some passengers into thinking they were safe.

[hydro2008]

Wow, a $42,500 divining rod. My mother used to water witch with a forked cedar branch. She was too cheap and lazy to chop up an old coat hanger to make a proper divining rod for dowsing around the property. She thought that she was right when the driller hit water in the "under ground river". Of course they hit water, the aquifer extends over a mile laterally either direction! I need to get in on this contraband detection racket. Like I said, I can chop up some coat hanger and under bid the last supplier by $42,480.01!

[Ron-in-Siberia]

Firkin Brits. Always causing trouble around the world.