Futuristic weapons unveiled at technology conference

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- Many of the devices look like something out of a science-fiction movie: a lightweight hood that provides 60 minutes of oxygen while keeping out toxic fumes, to a small robot that traverses dangerous terrain. Yet they could evolve into weapons for American troops.

More than 80 vendors have gathered at Fort Leonard Wood in hopes of convincing the military and homeland security crews that their products are necessary to protect the United States from evildoers.

It's part of a two-day Science and Technology Conference that got under way Wednesday at the Army post in central-Missouri. Businesses, university researchers, military personnel and elected officials also will hear from a variety of speakers.

Col. Joel Hinsl, garrison commander of Fort Leonard Wood, said it was the first time academics and businesses have gathered with Department of Defense personnel to discuss future weaponry.

"We think it's for all the right reasons, particularly because of all that is going on in the world right now," Hinsl said. "The fact is America is at war with terrorism and that is some major activity that we are trying to defeat. It is a difficult thing to do."

Selling smokehoods

Ken Rennie, marketing and sales manager for St. Louis-based Essex PB&R Corporation, hopes to convince military and emergency first responders -- such as police and fire departments -- to purchase self-contained smokehoods.

The device weighs just over one pound and resembles the hood typically worn by beekeepers. They are equipped with a bottle of aviator-grade oxygen and can withstand intense heat and prevent entry of toxic fumes and smoke.

Essex has primarily targeted sale of the $375 devices to commercial airlines, businesses executives who travel internationally and the military. The Air Force already uses them on a variety of personnel transport planes, Rennie said. He couldn't elaborate further due to security concerns.

Fear of chemical attack

Since Sept. 11, Essex has been getting calls from private citizens, particularly New Yorkers, worried about chemical and biological attacks.

"A lady from New York bought 60 of them for her house," Rennie said. "We had one man buy one for himself, his wife and his dog."

Meanwhile, Curt Rankin hoped to attract military interest in his company's "Hot Suit." The aluminized exterior resembles a space suit -- only it weighs 37 pounds and can withstand temperatures of 1,200 degrees.

Rankin, who co-owns HRI Enterprises Inc. of Buffalo, said the suit is air cooled and contains an internal air bottle. It's typically used for high-temperature industrial repair, inspection and maintenance. He envisions the Navy as one potential customer.

"It could be used if there was a fire on a ship, or if they needed to make a special repair in an area with intense heat," he said.

Hinsl said Fort Leonard was the perfect site for the conference. The post is home to military police, chemical and engineering schools.

"When you look at those three schools, I think you can say we're the Army's leading center of excellence to develop solutions to help defeat terrorism," he said.