The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is currently working with several vendors to get their advanced explosives detection systems certified so that they can be deployed to aviation security checkpoints early in 2017 for field testing, an agency official said on Tuesday.
The computed tomography-based (CT) technology, which currently is used in explosive detection systems (EDS) to automatically screen checked bags for explosives, will be tested to screen carry-on bags for explosives and other threats. The technology could make it easier for travelers at checkpoints by not having them remove their liquids from their bags because of the explosives detection capabilities of the technology.
The current plan is to begin the testing in the first quarter of 2017, Jose Bonilla, director of TSA’s Innovation Task Force, said at the annual Aviation Security Summit hosted by the American Association of Airport Executives.
TSA established the Innovation Task Force earlier this year to more quickly demonstrate potential aviation security solutions.
Bonilla told Defense Daily that he expects multiple vendors will participate in the upcoming CT at the checkpoint field tests, which are planned at several airports, including Sky Harbor in Phoenix. The field testing will be in an actual screening lane, he said.
L-3 Communications [LLL], Analogic [ALOG] and Integrated Defense & Security Solutions are all developing CT-based systems for the checkpoint. Bonilla said that L-3’s ClearScan CT system has been certified while systems from the other companies are attempting to go through the certification process.
The companies’ CT systems first have to go through the certification process at the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Laboratory and then an operational assessment at TSA’s Transportation Security Integration Facility before field testing begins.
The ultimate goal is to qualify CT systems for inclusion on a Qualified Products List that the agency, with input from its airport and airline stakeholders, can purchase from.
TSA also expects to examine other detection technology for screening carry-on bags, including Advanced Technology (AT) X-ray diffraction systems, Bonilla said. TSA currently screens carry-on bags with AT X-ray systems.
Bonilla didn’t put a timeframe around the upcoming CT field tests but said the schedule will be “robust and aggressive” to quickly collect data and build requirements.