Smiths Detection X-Ray System Qualifies for TSA’s Air Cargo List
– says its dual-view HI-SCAN 6040-2is X-Ray system has been accepted into the qualified section of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Air Cargo Screening Technology List. The company says it offers entities screening air cargo “Category A” screening for smaller items, times that will later be in pallets or break bulk cargo. Smiths also says that one of the biggest changes in the 2015 update to the technology list is the requirement that new X-Ray inspection purchases must be dual-view.
FLIR Introduces New Fido Handheld ETD
FLIR Systems [FLIR] has introduced the Fido X2 explosives trace detector (ETD), the latest addition to its Fido X-Series of handheld ETDs to include the company’s proprietary TrueTrace technology to quickly and accurately detect a broad range of chemicals used the manufacture of homemade, commercial and military explosives. The Fido X2 weighs less than 1.5-pounds and features a new ergonomic design and is intended to be used by state and local law enforcement agencies and first responders at security checkpoints or during high alerts. The device screens vehicles and personal belongings for explosives residue. FLIR say the device provides an analysis in 10 seconds or less. Pricing of the Fido X2 begins at a manufacturers suggested retail price of $9,995.
Crossmatch Introduces Mobile ID Application
Crossmatch has introduced its new DigitalPersona Mobile ID application and Commander mobile devices management software, offering the law enforcement community an integrated solution for mobile identity management and device administration. Mobile ID is a highly configurable Android-based application designed for rapid in-field identification and identity verification. The application has an intuitive user interface for easy input of biographic data and biometric capture processing and submission. Commander is capable of provisioning and administering a fleet of handheld devices, such as the company’s Verifier Sentry. The solution provides a secure communications patch from the handheld in the field to the secure server. Commander also functions as a store and forward for record submission and response processing and management to multiple AFIS.
MorphoTrak Launches Biometric Identification in the Cloud
Safran Group’s MorphoTrak has launched Morpho Cloud, a secure and flexible multi-biometric identification-as-a-service solutions hosted on Microsoft Corp.’s [MSFT] Azure Government cloud service, which has a contractual commitment to support several U.S. government standards for data security, including the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services division security policy. Morpho Cloud is hosted in the U.S. and is stored in regional geo-redundant data centers to further enhance security. MorphoTrak says it brings the full spectrum of its technologies to the cloud, starting with friction ridge biometrics, facial biometrics, and iris recognition. “The Morpho Cloud platform provides mission critical multi-biometric identification services scaled to address the operational needs of our customers,” says Steven Vinsik, vice president of MorphoTrak.
Vision-Box Installs Automated Border Control Solution for Spanish Authorities
Vision-Box has deployed a biometric-enabled Automated Border Control solution for Spain’s Ministry of Interior and the National Police Force at the strategic land border crossing between Spain and the British territory of Gibraltar. The new solution reinforces traditional manual procedures with an advanced self-service clearance process that includes face and fingerprint recognition and match with travel document identification. The solution includes automated biometric eGates when entering or leaving Spain through La Linea de la Concepcion and a software platform that offers the National Police to control in real-time all that is happening at the eGates through monitoring stations. Vision-Box, which is based in Portugal, worked with Accenture [ACN] on the project.
Coast Guard Accepts 15th FRC from Bollinger
The Coast Guard has accepted delivery of the 15th Fast Response Cutter (FRC) from shipbuilder Bollinger Shipyards, who is under contract to deliver 32 of the 154-foot patrol vessels. The FRC Joseph Napier will be the third stationed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is slated to be commissioned in early 2016. The Coast Guard has a requirement for 58 FRCs and is recompeting the acquisition for the last 26 vessels.
Smiths Detection Introduces Automatic Threat Detection Software for Cargo Inspection
Smiths Detection has launched iCmore, a software suite to be used in the company’s HCV cargo inspection X-Ray systems for the automatic identification of suspicious items or threats. The company says the software will allow operators of the scanning systems to identify items such as cigarettes dangerous levels of radioactivity precisely. The iCmore software helps security officers by focusing their attention on abnormalities within a cargo load during the scanning process. “iCmore supports an important step change for our customers by offering a much greater degree of automation,” says Shan Hood, vice president of product and technology at Smiths Detection. “It will make a major contribution to the fight against international terrorism and smuggling by speeding up the inspection of an ever increasing volume of cross-border traffic.” The company says initial configurations of the software will focus on cigarettes, radiation sources and the recognition of non-empty containers. Future additions will help identify inconsistencies in the load and automatic targeting of expensive or heavy materials such as gold, lead or uranium.
Mutualink Communications Platform Receives SAFETY Act Certification
Mutualink says its secure communications platform for real-time interoperable communications has received designation and certification from the Department of Homeland Security under SAFETY Act. The Connecticut-based company says its Mutualink platform is the only multimedia communications product certified under the SAFETY Act and included on the Approved Products list for homeland security. The SAFETY Act provides limited liability protections to providers of anti-terrorism technologies and services. The platform is IP-based and securely connects disparate communications systems for real-time voice collaboration and real-time video and information sharing, allowing the linkage of incompatible land mobile radio systems together to share voice, video, data, and geo-location in emergency situations and daily operations. The certification “will give our customers continued confidence and assurance that our technology is not only effective but can be deployed without risks of incurring costly litigation or liability in the aftermath of a terror event,” says Mark Hatten, Mutualink’s CEO.