Markland Technologies Announces Status on

[sandihop]

Markland Technologies Announces Status on
Security Products and Development Initiatives

RIDGEFIELD, CT-- (BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan.28, 2003--Markland Technologies, (OTC: MKLD - News), (www.marklandtech.com) announced today a progress report on its current portfolio of integrated security technologies including: Acoustic Core™, the APTIS Screening Portal, the previously announced US Air Force CRADA program, DCL Dedicated Commuter Lane and the VSS™ Vehicle Stopping System. These technologies, currently installed and under development, attempt to address the next phase of security threats in border and port security

Acoustic Core™

The Company’s Acoustic Core™ Technology is being developed to address current problems in screening equipment including human error factors, inaccurate readings and the time required to screen materials.

APTIS Screening Portal

The company is pleased to report that a patent application for our “Acoustic Portal Detection System” has been filed with the US Patent Office. Our Acoustic Portal Detection System, the APTIS Screening Portal, is designed to perform primary screening of humans for the detection of concealed weapon threats. The device incorporates multi-sensor data fusion techniques, conventional metal detection technology, and Acoustic Core based detection of non-metallic threats.

The initial phase of testing has been successfully completed. During the initial phase our testing goals were to be able to detect, beneath clothing on a stationary human, the presence of three target types: a plastic flare gun, a ceramic knife and a surrogate target, which simulated plastic explosives in sheet form. The APTIS Screening Portal detected all three-target types.

The intended design specification for the APTIS portal device requires, among other things, that the portal be able to scan humans as they move through the portal at 2-3 miles per hour speed, and that it be able to detect plastic explosives with a minimum volume of 4 oz. To achieve this in the next phase of testing, the design team is in the process of implementing an improved acoustic sensor with an increased spatial resolution capable of detecting the minimum volume of 4 oz. The design team is also engaged in developing additional signal processing algorithms for the purpose of compensating for the motion of humans, as they move through the portal. It is anticipated that these efforts will be completed shortly, and that we will move to the next stage of testing.

US Air Force CRADA program

Markland Technologies is providing key technical resources to perform activities on a United States Air Force CRADA program for its majority shareholder Eurotech Ltd (EUOT:OTC). Eurotech signed the CRADA in November 2002. Government personnel have completed their review of the test plan, and we expect that the first phase of testing will begin soon.

The objective of the CRADA is to jointly develop a system that will demonstrate the effectiveness of Acoustic Core(TM) technology to non-intrusively detect explosive materials in cargo and/or vehicles. The first phase consists of collection of raw acoustic data from containers utilising surrogate explosive targets and will be performed at Idaho National Environmental and Engineering Laboratories (INEEL). The test plan for this phase has been submitted and reviewed by government personnel and it is expected that data collection will begin within the next few weeks. Successful completion of this program could lead to potential acquisition programs using the technology to screen air cargo.

DCL Dedicated Commuter Lane

The Company, via its recent Ergo Systems acquisition, is performing ongoing border exit/entry system design and maintenance support services at five border exit/entry points with the Dedicated Commuter Lane (DCL).

VSS™ Vehicle Stopping System

Under an ongoing contract awarded to Ergo Systems, the company is providing product design and manufacturing services to the INS to aid the INS implement improvements in the US Border Port exit and entry security systems. These improvements are necessitated by the ever-increasing risks of unauthorised and illegal entry into the country.

The VSS is designed to safely capture "port runners”, individuals who illegally pass through checkpoints. "Port runners” constitute a threat to border integrity and capturing them with minimal danger and threats to United States INS and Customs Border Patrol agents has become a priority. The Vehicle Stopping System is capable of stopping any vehicle attempting to gain illegal entry at speeds up to and exceeding 65 miles per hour safely and without personal injury to occupants and United States government border personnel.

The VSS has successfully completed a battery of rigorous tests and is now ready for field-testing at the San Ysidro, CA border crossing. The INS has given its approval for field-testing to proceed and the company is now under contract to prepare the logistics for installation and testing. This includes; the alteration of border exit roadway to accept the installation of the VSS and its capture net as well as integration of the control electronics to the existent exit system security sensors and control electronics. This process is estimated to take approximately one month to complete before field evaluation begins. The company is in the process of marketing this device to both INS/Customs for border exit systems and to the DOD for use in protection of its military bases both here and abroad. Upon successful completion of testing at the San Ysidro, CA border crossing it is anticipated that the INS will order an initial quantity of production version VSS systems for installation at multiple border crossing sites. Please visit the company website to view a video of the VSS system in action.

About Markland Technologies
Markland Technologies (OTC: MKLD) is positioned in the security sector with integrated security solutions including border security and explosives detection. The Company's emerging technologies and expert services are focused solely to provide customers with the tools necessary to protect personnel, data and infrastructure assets. The Company is a member of the Homeland Security Industries Association http://www.hsianet.org.

For additional information about Markland Technologies please visit the Company website at: http://www.marklandtech.com.

"Safe Harbor Statement"
Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 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: 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.


Contact:

Dawn Van Zant, 866-730-1151
ECON Investor Relations, Inc.
dvanzant@investorideas.com




Source: Markland Technologies