Britain's AWE orders muon tomography scanner CHANTILLY, Va., April 9 (UPI) -- A British contract for a muon tomography scanner system for research has been given to U.S. technology company Decision Sciences International Corp. Muon tomography uses naturally occurring cosmic ray muons to safely detect and image high density material. Decision Science Services, headquartered in Virginia, said Britain's Atomic Weapons Establishment intends to use the system for research on new scanning and imaging applications. The value of the award was not disclosed but the company said additional contract options for the system could include ongoing system support. "We're pleased to support the work of AWE," said Decision Sciences President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Stanton D. Sloane. This contract expands our reach into the United Kingdom. AWE provides and maintains Britain's nuclear weapons. Its work includes research, design and manufacturing of the weapons as well as maintaining them and decommissioning them. "Decision Sciences has an established and excellent reputation in this area and we are excited to work with them," an AWE spokesman said. Their unique technology enables the important nuclear security function that AWE performs in the UK. AWE is owned by AWE Management Limited, of which Serco Group plc, Lockheed Martin and Jacobs Engineering Group are stakeholders.