COUNTY Durham scanner firm Kromek has been awarded a $2m deal to supply the US Government.

The Sedgefield company, that specialises in radiation detection technology for the medical, security and nuclear sectors, has been awarded a modification to its existing contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), an agency of the US Department of Defense.

The programme with DARPA, which began in August last year, is to develop an advanced personal detection system for gamma and neutron radiation.

Kromek's team based on the NetPark technology site at Sedgefield, develop systems that help to thwart terrorists and aid in the early detection of cancer cells.

As part of the latest announcement, Arnab Basu, chief executive of Kromek, said: "Kromek has developed a revolutionary new product, the D3S, which goes well beyond the state-of-the-art for performance.

"We are delighted to receive another extension of the current contract from DARPA, which reflects the excellent progress the Kromek team has made. That we were selected by an agency of the US government provides validation of our technological strength and capabilities, and demonstrates our leading position in the global markets.

"We look forward to achieving further milestones in this project and, ultimately, enabling safer environments for all."