Smiths Detection Awarded $21 Million U.S. Government Contract for Groundbreaking New aTiX Technology
Pine Brook, NJ, 5 October 2007 - Smiths Detection, part of the global technology business Smiths Group, today announces it has won a $21 million contract from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for aTiX - the X-ray machine that can automatically detect explosives and liquids at passenger checkpoints.
The contract follows successful trials run by the TSA at airports in the United States. This initial order will enable the TSA to deploy aTiX (Advanced Threat Identification X-Ray) to airports across the country.
aTiX is a next-generation advancement in security checkpoint X-ray systems. A major difference from currently-used equipment is the ability to take multiple views of carry-on bags in a single pass. This multiview capability is accomplished in the same time it takes with existing checkpoint X-ray. Additionally, aTiX systems include powerful software algorithms which assist the operator with detection of liquids and explosives.
Stephen Phipson, Group Managing Director of Smiths Detection, said: "We were very pleased with the performance of our new aTiX checkpoint carry-on baggage screening system during the TSA's recent Advanced Technology pilot program. This advancement is a significant innovation in security detection technology for passenger checkpoints and represents a leap forward. This contract win is another important milestone for our company, as well as a significant growth opportunity."
Mark Laustra, Vice President of Homeland Security for Smiths Detection, said: "The TSA has been one of the first customers to utilize this innovative technology which has received strong interest from governments and customers around the world. The advanced aTiX system has the potential to improve airport security immediately, with minimal training, as the look and feel of this system will be similar to what many airport security screeners are using today."
Smiths Detection is the world's leading provider of threat and contraband detection systems. Smiths Detection's technology is deployed at 85 percent of the world's airports, which have around 70,000 checkpoints.
The TSA has also awarded a $650,000 contract to Smiths Detection for SABRE 4000 hand-held explosives detection scanners. These hand-held IMS detectors provide mobile explosives trace and vapor detection capabilities. HI-SCAN 6040aTiX
The HI-SCAN 6040aTiX is a high-performance multi-view X-ray inspection system that in real-time automatically detects and pinpoints explosives as well as liquid substances in carry-on baggage. It uses technology based on Smiths Detection's hold baggage screening systems.
SABRE 4000
The SABRE 4000 is the only portable trace detector that can detect threats from explosives, Chemical Warfare agents, or Toxic Industrial Chemicals plus narcotics, analysing either trace particles or vapour samples.
Smiths Detection
Smiths Detection is part of the global technology business Smiths Group. It offers advanced integrated security solutions for customers in civil and military markets worldwide and is a leading technology developer and manufacturer of sensors that detect and identify explosives, chemical and biological agents, weapons, and contraband. Its advanced technology security solutions also include Smiths Heimann x-ray imaging systems, millimeter-wave technology and a specialist software supply business for the management of large sensor and video surveillance networks. Separate business units focus on related products for the life sciences, and food manufacturing industries. For more information visit www.smithsdetection.com
Smiths Group
Smiths is a global technology company listed on the London Stock Exchange. A world leader in the practical application of advanced technologies, Smiths Group delivers products and services for the threat & contraband detection, medical devices, energy and communications markets worldwide. Our products and services make the world safer, healthier and more productive. Smiths Group employs more than 20,000 people in over 50 countries. For more information visit www.smiths.com
Media Contacts:
US: David Olsen Coltrin & Associates for Smiths Detection 212-221-1616 ext. 118 David_Olsen@Coltrin.com
Susan Cooper-Curcio Smiths Detection 973-830-2131 susan.cooper@smithsdetection.com
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