Viken Detection

What Viken Detection does

Viken Detection Corporation is a privately held U.S. security imaging company founded in 2013 (originally as Heuresis Corporation) and headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts. The company designs and manufactures X-ray imaging, chemical detection, and elemental analysis devices used primarily by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies for contraband interdiction at borders, checkpoints, and correctional facilities, and by inspectors for environmental hazards such as lead paint. Core products include the RAVEN and Nighthawk (HBI/BTX) handheld X-ray backscatter imagers, the Osprey and Harrier families of vehicle scanning portals (UVX under-vehicle, TVX top-down, MVX mobile), the Foxhound handheld narcotics analyzer using ion mobility spectrometry, the Pb200e lead paint analyzer, and the HexaWave millimeter-wave body scanner; the AID Toolset provides AI/ML-assisted detection features such as automatic gun detection and material discrimination. The company has shipped more than 1,000 HBI-120 units globally and approximately 3,000 Pb200 lead-paint analyzers, which have collectively performed 100 million measurements.

Viken monetizes primarily through capital equipment hardware sales to government and law enforcement customers under multi-year blanket purchase agreements and federal contracts, supplemented by professional services such as training bundled with deployments. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales to federal agencies, channel partners (Federal Resources for DEA, BRS Innovations for Canadian Border Services, Smiths Detection as part of the $480M CBP multi-energy portal team), and an event-driven sales motion at conferences such as NASDEA, Border Security Expo, and ISNR Abu Dhabi. The customer base is anchored by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Osprey deployments at southern border ports of entry), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration ($2.5M five-year Nighthawk-HBI BPA), and Canadian Border Services Agency, with a VALOR donation program seeding smaller municipal police departments. The company holds 20+ technology patents and benefits from a unique NRC license exemption for the Pb200e, the only lead-paint analyzer cleared for license-exempt sales and use.

Capital structure includes a $20 million venture loan facility from Horizon Technology Finance (June 2023, $10M initially funded), with additional disclosed funding rounds from 2021 through 2025 totaling in the tens of millions, no disclosed institutional equity investors, and no parent company. Leadership combines deep X-ray physics expertise (Founder/CTO Peter Rothschild, MIT PhD, inventor of Scatter Attenuation Tomography, 50+ patents), medical imaging pedigree (CSO Dr. Basak Karbeyaz and COO Chitra Subramanian, both from Analogic), and government/security advisory strength (retired four-star Admiral Craig Faller on the board). Viken defended its market position by prevailing in PTAB patent litigation against Rapiscan|AS&E in 2023, ending competitor efforts to block its border scanners via patent injunctions.

Name

Viken Detection

Legal name

Viken Detection Corporation

Website

https://vikendetection.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Viken Detection designs handheld and vehicle-mounted X-ray imaging systems, chemical analyzers, and lead-detection devices used by U.S. federal, state, and local law enforcement and border security agencies for contraband interdiction and environmental safety.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Security Detection Equipment

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing (334517), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

X-Ray Apparatus & Tubes & Related Irradiation Apparatus (3844), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

CBRN Detection, Protection & Decontamination Systems (IMABAOAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Radiation Detection Instruments & Systems (Portal monitors, spectrometers, contamination monitors) (EUAKAIAK), Inspection, Checkweighing & Detection Systems (Vision, Metal, X-ray) (IMALAOAH), Nonproliferation Technology & Detection (radiation portal monitors, RPMs, spectroscopy, forensics) (EUAKAJAG)

Keywords

• X-ray imaging systems
• Contraband detection devices
• Handheld security scanners
• Chemical trace analyzers
• Vehicle inspection portals

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - X-ray Imaging Systems: Sale of handheld X-ray imagers (Raven, Nighthawk HBI, Nighthawk BTX) and vehicle scanning portals (Osprey UVX, TVX, MVX, Harrier) to law enforcement and government agencies. One-time capital equipment purchases with long sales cycles to government customers.
2. Hardware Sales - Chemical Analyzers: Sale of Foxhound HNA narcotics analyzers and Pb200/Pb200e lead paint analyzers. Products sold to law enforcement, corrections facilities, and construction/real estate inspectors.
3. Professional Services - Training: Training services provided as part of government contracts. The DEA contract includes training alongside product deployment.
4. Lead Pipe Detection Technology: New technology being developed for lead pipe detection in drinking water service lines, targeting state and municipal water agencies and commercial partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Viken Detection designs, manufactures, and sells handheld X-ray imaging devices (RAVEN, Nighthawk HBI/BTX), vehicle scanning portals (Osprey UVX/TVX/MVX, Harrier 3VX), handheld narcotics analyzers (Foxhound HNA), and XRF lead paint analyzers (Pb200e). These products are sold primarily to U.S. federal agencies (CBP, DEA), state and local law enforcement, corrections facilities, military installations, and international border agencies for the detection of concealed contraband including narcotics, explosives, weapons, currency, stowaways, and lead hazards.

Product overview

Viken Detection provides a comprehensive portfolio of detection technologies spanning handheld X-ray imagers, vehicle scanning portals, chemical analyzers, and elemental detection devices. The core product lines include: RAVEN™ (next-generation handheld X-ray imager with AI capabilities), Nighthawk™ HBI/BTX (handheld backscatter imagers for contraband detection), Osprey™/Harrier™ vehicle scanning portals (UVX, TVX, MVX for under-vehicle, top-down, and mobile inspection), Foxhound™ HNA (handheld narcotics analyzer using ion mobility spectrometry), and Pb200e™ (XRF lead paint analyzer). Add-on modules include PbID™ (lead detection), MatID™ (material discrimination), and AID Toolset™ (AI-powered anomaly detection). The company holds 20 technology patents and serves law enforcement, customs and border protection, military, corrections, and environmental safety markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• RAVEN Handheld X-ray Imager Next-generation handheld X-ray imager with advanced imaging technology, AI Toolset (AID), and multifunctional detection capabilities for rapid identification of concealed threats in security and public safety operations. Used by law enforcement, customs, and security professionals.
• Nighthawk HBI Handheld X-ray Imager Viken's most compact and lightweight handheld X-ray backscatter imager, rugged and economical, with vastly improved image quality for rooting out concealed contraband in challenging environments including passenger vehicles and reefer containers. Used by law enforcement agencies worldwide including U.S. CBP and DEA.
• Nighthawk BTX Handheld X-ray System Powerful backscatter and transmission handheld X-ray system that boosts image quality at higher standoff distances, customizable with transmission panel accessory for on-the-fly imaging. Used by law enforcement and security personnel for contraband detection.
• Osprey UVX Under-Vehicle X-ray Portal Innovative under-vehicle X-ray portal providing high-throughput inspection of passenger vehicles at border crossings and high-security checkpoints using backscatter, transmission, or dual-mode scanning at the lowest radiation dose. Deployed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at land ports of entry.
• Osprey TVX Vehicle X-ray Portal High-throughput top-down X-ray vehicle portal that detects narcotics, explosives, weapons, currency, and stowaways in passenger and commercial vehicles with small footprint and flexible checkpoint design. Used at border crossings, military bases, and high-security checkpoints.
• Osprey MVX Mobile Vehicle X-ray Self-contained mobile vehicle X-ray system with fast deployment capability, providing photorealistic transmission and backscatter images to reveal explosives, drugs, currency, and fraudulent manifest items; supports stationary or drive-through modes. Used for urgent security screening deployments.
• Harrier 3VX Vehicle Scanning System High-throughput vehicle scanner with three-sided low-energy backscatter and transmission scanning, providing exceptional vehicle images with material discrimination and minimal radiation exposure. Used at border crossings, seaports, and high-security venues.
• FOXHOUND-HNA Handheld Narcotics Analyzer Handheld chemical analyzer using tri-mode ion mobility spectrometry (vapor, trace, and bulk sampling) to detect major narcotics including opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, and synthetic fentanyl; features non-radioactive IMS source and hot-swappable batteries. Used by law enforcement, corrections, and security personnel for drug interdiction.
• Pb200e Lead Paint Analyzer X-ray fluorescence (XRF) handheld analyzer for detecting lead in paint using K-shell technology for accuracy at all depths; the only lead paint analyzer exempt from radiation licensing requirements by the U.S. NRC; gold standard since 2015 with approximately 3,000 units in use. Used by home inspectors, housing authorities, and construction/real estate professionals.
• HexaWave Millimeter Wave Body Scanner Walk-through people scanner using millimeter wave technology for fast and effective employee and visitor screening to detect metallic and non-metallic threats at airports, corrections facilities, and security venues. Used for aviation, corrections, and urban security screening operations.
• Broadwing-LAD Large-Area Detector Accessory Detachable large-area detector accessory for HBI-120 handheld X-ray imager that enhances vehicle inspection capabilities and enables new applications including building searches, tactical raids, and counter-surveillance. Used by law enforcement and tactical teams.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands of drug seizures aided by Viken technology
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Secure Life GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 May 2024Viken Detection team was co-located with partner Secure Life Group at stand 9-C25 during the ISNR Abu Dhabi exhibition in May 2024, representing Viken's products in the Middle East market.
• Federal ResourcescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 June 2021Federal Resources, Viken's channel partner, was awarded a $2.5 million five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement from the DEA for Viken Detection's Nighthawk-HBI handheld x-ray imagers. Federal Resources serves as the reseller distributing Viken products to federal law enforcement agencies.
• Smiths DetectionmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 April 2021Viken was included on the Smiths Detection team as part of a $480 million contract awarded to three vendors for multi-energy portal (MEP) systems for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Viken's technology is integrated into the Smiths team offering for CBP vehicle scanning.
• BRS InnovationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 June 2020BRS Innovations was awarded the first contract for multiple Nighthawk-HBI units to supply the Canadian Border Services Agency. BRS serves as the channel partner for Canadian government sales.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vikendetection
• Facebookfacebook.com/Viken-Detection-103727638399959

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds10 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Viken Detection