The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) remains on track to begin testing soon of a next-generation checkpoint baggage scanning system developed by Integrated Defense & Security Solutions (IDSS) in at least one airport in the coming months to begin field testing, the company’s chief tells HSR.
Last month IDSS delivered it’s DETECT 1000 computed tomography-based (CT) scanning system to the agency for installation at the TSA Systems Integration Facility (TSIF) where it is undergoing a 60-day qualification test, says Joseph Paresi, chairman and CEO of IDSS. In December the DETECT 1000 was certified at the Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) for operation at 15 centimeters per second, which is in line with the new tray management systems TSA is introducing to automated screening lanes at a number of airports.
TSA has mentioned airports in Atlanta, Phoenix, Newark and Denver for installing the DETECT 1000, Paresi says, adding the company has offered the agency two systems for the field testing.
It’s unclear at the moment at which airport or airports the testing will occur but “We know it’s moving forward,” Paresi says. He thinks the field installations could begin at the end of February or early March.
The CT systems being evaluated for use at airport security checkpoints are basically the same technology being used automatically screen checked bags for explosives at airports. The automated explosive detection capability is expected to allow travelers to leave their liquids and electronics in their carry-on bags, which will help speed throughput through the checkpoint and enhance security.
In addition to IDSS, L3 Technologies [LLL] and Analogic [ALOG] are developing CT-based scanning systems for use at airport screening checkpoints. L3’s ClearScan system has also been certified at the TSL and in December the company told HSR it was working with TSA to begin qualification testing at the TSIF.
Jose Bonilla, director of TSA’s Innovation Task Force, told HSR last December that he expects multiple vendors will participate in the upcoming CT at the checkpoint field tests.
As IDSS and its competitors ready for field testing of their checkpoint CT systems, the companies also have international opportunities they are pursuing. Paresi says most of his attention lately is focused overseas.
The DETECT 1000 will be deployed at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in March for evaluation in a screening lane, another in Paris in late March, with trials also planned in Singapore in February and another in Lisbon this summer, Paresi says.
IDSS has proposals in with airports in some countries and additional tenders are expected this year for the next-generation checkpoint screening systems, Paresi says. He adds that there is some “hesitation” on the part of some international customers to switch from the current Advanced Technology X-Ray systems used to screen carry-on bags to the CT-based systems but believes that once the TSA begins deploying the next-generation technology “I think that will change the attitude of some people.”
L3 has had two of its ClearScan systems being used in screening lanes at Schiphol and the system has completed a trial at Singapore’s Changi Airport and is in trials in South Africa. The system is also expected to undergo a trial in France soon. Schiphol has said it plans to use checkpoint CT systems at 67 lanes.
Analogic’s ConneCT Checkpoint CT system was accepted for testing at the TSL in late December but only for operation at 10 centimeters per second, which is slower than the automated tray management systems TSA is introducing at passenger screening lanes. The company does plan to get its system certified at 15 centimeters per second so that it can be tested at airports in the U.S. early this year.