TSA Expands Suite of Security Technology

Air Safety Week, Oct 29, 2007

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has awarded $52.3 million worth of contracts to outfit airports and mass transit facilities with advanced security devices.

The newly procured technology includes: advanced technology (AT) X-ray; automated explosives detection (auto-EDS) for the checkpoint; bottled liquid scanners; passive millimeter wave; and a cast/prosthetics screening device.

"These purchases will significantly enhance our suite of technologies while improving security," said TSA Administrator Kip Hawley. "Better technology leverages the skills of our officers more efficiently and improves our ability to adapt in real-time to changes in the threat environment."

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Following pilot testing at Washington's Reagan National, New York's Kennedy International, Los Angeles International and Albuquerque's airport, Rapiscan Systems and Smiths Detection were awarded $9.3 million and $21 million contracts, respectively, to each provide approximately 125 of their AT X-ray systems.

AT is a catch phrase for a group of advanced x-ray technologies that will improve carry-on bag screening and enhance airline passenger security. ATs provide clear, high-definition x-ray images that improve TSA security officers' ability to detect potential threat items. Some AT units also employ multiple x- ray angles (views), provide high-definition zoom and/or have automated detection capabilities that will further enhance security effectiveness. By comparison, currently deployed technology depends on a single, top-down x-ray view.

In addition, AT x-ray systems are built to be upgradeable and programmable. As threats emerge and AT's capabilities improve, enhancements to the equipment at airports will generally require only a software upgrade.

TSA says AT systems are highly cost-effective and can be widely deployed. AT training is relatively easy, as the interface is either very similar or identical to current x-ray machines.

In addition, TSA has purchased auto-EDS machines from Analogic and Reveal Imaging Technologies for checkpoint applications. Both companies' technology use computed tomography (CT), the same explosives detection technology used in checked baggage screening. The technology generates a three-dimensional image that can be viewed and rotated on three axes for thorough image evaluation. TSA has initially purchased 12 Cobra units from Analogic at a value of $7.6 million, and eight Fusion units from Reveal for $5.6 million.

TSA has procured passive millimeter wave technology from Planning Systems for use in mass transit environments. The technology detects and measures the waves naturally emitted by the human body and determines if there is anything concealed on the human body. TSA has purchased 12 SPO-7 units from Planning Systems for $3 million.

Spectrum San Diego has been awarded a $1.7 million contract for TSA to deploy 37 of its CastScope cast and prosthetics screening devices. The CastScope was designed to screen passengers with casts, braces, heavy bandages or prosthetics by providing backscatter X-ray images. TSA was involved from the beginning stages of the development of this technology, dating back several years.

Backscatter scans a narrow, low-energy X-ray beam over the body surface. The reflection, or backscatter, of the beam is detected, digitized and displayed on a monitor. The high contrast image generated allows TSA to differentiate between articles such as braces, prosthetics, and external medical devices, and prohibited items. The CastScope was designed to supplement the walk-through and hand-held metal detectors, checking passengers with the medical devices that may alarm because of metallic components,

Finally, TSA has awarded contracts to Nomadics and Smiths Detection for hand-held explosives detection scanners. TSA procured 200 Fido PaxPoint liquid explosives detectors from Nomadics for $3.4 million to differentiate liquid explosives and 23 SABRE units from Smiths Detection for $650,000 to provide mobile explosive trace and vapor detection capabilities.

Bottled liquids scanners are detection systems that differentiate liquid explosives from common liquids. This technology is capable of analyzing substances within a bottle by aiming sensors at the bottle opening and analyzing the intake of certain vapors.

The challenges of screening bottles for concealed explosives or flammable liquids have been explored for a decade plus, but previous technology was not operationally viable due to commonalities in materials and high alarm rates. The challenge has been two-fold: the range of physical properties of liquid explosives and potential flammable liquids, and the broad range of benign, common liquids with which people travel.