The announcement is being made in conjunction with contract awards to L3 Communications, Smiths Detection and Rapiscan Systems. The contracts call for each vendor to lease seven of their AT x-ray machines to TSA for testing in airports. The total cost of the initial contracts is $1.4 million with options to purchase additional units in the future.
Advantages of AT x-ray include: a greatly enhanced display which is much clearer and more detailed than current generation x-ray; the ability to upgrade the system as enhanced algorithms and programs emerge; a stable, low maintenance platform and a smaller profile than currently available explosive detection systems.
"The additional capability of AT scanners gives immediate benefit to our security officers in making security evaluations of carry-on bags." said Kip Hawley, TSA administrator. "It will help both effectiveness and efficiency."
While this type of technology is used worldwide for checked baggage, this initiative marks the first time multi-view and high definition x-ray systems will be deployed to security checkpoints specifically to screen carry-on bags.
"These new x-ray technologies are built on systems not unlike computers millions of people use every day. They are totally upgradeable and programmable," said Mike Golden, TSA chief technology officer. "Comparing AT x-ray to current technology is like comparing a VHS tape to a DVD. Both play movies, but one is much clearer than the other."
Once a test and evaluation schedule is finalized, the units will be appraised over several weeks in airports until one or more vendors are chosen for a wider deployment.
