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Aircraft industry

TSA Certifies Upgrade Kit for Explosives Detection Systems

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has certified a technology kit developed by Lockheed Martin and its partner Analogic, which could be used to upgrade certain Explosives Detection Systems (EDS) deployed at the nation's airports. The upgrade kit, which includes software and hardware, aims to improve the accuracy and speed of the screening process by providing color presentation and three-dimensional imagery. The certification paves the way for a pilot project to be conducted, with the potential for future contracts to deploy the upgrade kit on over 500 EDS machines currently installed at U.S. airports.

Key Takeaways:

  • The TSA has certified a technology kit developed by Lockheed Martin and Analogic to upgrade EDS machines deployed at U.S. airports.
  • The upgrade kit aims to improve the accuracy and speed of the screening process by providing color presentation and three-dimensional imagery.
  • The kit is designed to be installed on over 500 EDS machines currently installed at U.S. airports, including those made by L-3 Communications and General Electric.
  • The EDS machines in question are the eXaminer models developed and built by L-3 Communications, with Analogic as the key subcontractor providing the computed tomography (CT) system.
  • Lockheed Martin and Analogic developed the upgrade kit beginning in September 2003 through a series of contracts worth $6.2 million under the TSA's Phoenix Project.
  • The Phoenix Project, which began prior to 9/11, aimed to develop enhancements to EDS equipment developed in the 1990s.
  • The upgrade kit's goal is to reduce false-alarm rates and improve throughput, allowing operators to more easily determine whether an item is a potential threat or not.
  • The kit could be installed on EDS machines deployed inline and in lobbies.
  • Three companies, GE, L-3, and Reveal Imaging Technologies, have developed EDS systems certified by TSA.
  • Reveal's EDS machine is smaller and less costly than the GE and L-3 machines, making it a potentially attractive solution for smaller airports.

Statistics:

  • Over 500 L-3 eXaminer machines are deployed worldwide, including the U.S.
  • The TSA has certified over 500 EDS machines made by L-3 Communications and over 800 EDS machines made by General Electric.
  • The EDS upgrade kit has been developed through a series of contracts worth $6.2 million.
  • The Phoenix Project began prior to 9/11.
  • The Manhattan project, a separate program, is developing newer technologies.

Sources:

  • Lockheed Martin (Tanton)
  • Analogic (Roberts, Wood)
  • L-3 Communications (TSA spokeswoman)
  • Reveal Imaging Technologies (TSA spokeswoman)
  • TSA spokeswoman (multiple quotes)
  • [Copyright 2005 Access Intelligence, LLC. All rights reserved.]

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