The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) this year plans to order another 580 Advanced Technology (AT) X-Ray machines and at least 30 more millimeter wave whole body imaging systems for deployment at airport security checkpoints. Last year TSA purchased 250 X-Ray AT machines split equally between OSI Systems [OSIS} and Britain’s Smiths Detection. With the pending order for 580 additional systems, which are used to screen passengers’ carry-on luggage, TSA expects to deploy 600 of the machines at U.S. airports by the end of this year. The millimeter wave portals are made by L-3 Communications [LLL]. TSA has been pilot testing one at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport since last year and this month began testing additional portals at JFK International and Los Angeles International airports. TSA also plans to begin testing the portals at Baltimore-Washington International Airport soon. At Sky Harbor the L-3 portal has been in side-by-side testing with a backscatter-based whole body imaging system supplied by American Science & Engineering [ASEI]. Pilot testing of AS&E’s SmartCheck system is ongoing and plans to buy the L-3 technology does not mean TSA won’t eventually purchase the backscatter technology, an agency spokeswoman tells TR2.