Thales Showcases Innovation in Aviation Security Event
Crawley, 2 December - Thales UK is today showcasing advances in aviation security technology as it delivers the INSTINCT Technology Demonstrator 2 (TD2) Aviation Security project on behalf of the Home Office.
Technology being demonstrated at the event includes full-body scanners trialled at Manchester Airport and a walk-through explosive detection system trialled at Glasgow Airport. These will be showcased alongside more than 40 other exhibits at Thales UK's flagship Crawley site. The site has been transformed into a simulated airport experience, from ticketing through to boarding.
Visitors to the showcase include high-level UK and international government delegates, and senior representatives from the airport, airline and security industries from around the world.
Since winning the contract to lead TD2 in July, Thales has received more than 300 expressions of interest, leading to 180 submissions from Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), academia and industry: 19 of these were selected by an independent panel of experts to be validated through trials in simulated environments and at real airports around the UK to ensure that they are viable and can make a real and positive contribution to aviation security.
Baroness Neville-Jones, Minister for Security said: "As we have seen in recent months, aviation is one of the key challenges to our security. INSTINCT is a vital part of the Government's response in seeking innovative solutions to counter current and future threats. We will continue to call on industry and universities to help drive counter-terrorism solutions. The UK is at the forefront of global innovation and maintaining that position is crucial for our economic recovery as well as our security.
"We are never complacent in dealing with the terrorist threat - Government, industry and academia must continue working together to improve our response. As we set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review last month, our approach to tackling terrorism is strategic and multi-layered. We will never rely solely on protective security at airports - the work of the police and intelligence agencies is vital too."
Alex Dorrian, CEO of Thales UK, said: "Security solutions are a core capability within Thales and an area where we have considerable pedigree. By leading the INSTINCT-TD2 project we have demonstrated how Thales can work efficiently, effectively and at speed to bring together stakeholders from industry, SMEs, academia and government to enhance the UK's capability in addressing the response to an ever changing terrorist threat."
A final report, including detailed analysis of the trials results and potential commercialisation / implementation of the trialled technologies will be submitted to the Home Office at the end of January 2011.
About INSTINCT
The INSTINCT (Innovative Science and Technology in Counter-Terrorism) programme is the overarching government initiative, led by a cross-government team anchored within the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism (OSCT) in the Home Office. INSTINCT seeks innovative ideas and solutions from industry and academia to counter specific security problems. INSTINCT gives innovators the opportunity to trial new ideas and technologies. It also allows them access to some of the top security experts from around the world and can help in getting their product to market.
About TD2 Airport Security
The INSTINCT-TD2 project is a government initiative to work with industry to discover, trial and showcase new and innovative technologies, solutions or ideas, specifically around aviation security. Ideas were invited for any stage in the air travel process, from the point of planning and booking a trip, through to boarding an aircraft. Ideally, this would also improve the passenger experience and increase airport revenues. A key output of the TD2 project is to develop these technologies, solutions or ideas into real products with deliverable business plans and clear routes to market.
The TD2 Airport Security project began with an awareness and outreach programme that led to a selection process to ensure sufficient applicability and maturity of proposed technologies, solutions or ideas. 19 submissions have been taken to trial, and these, along with a number of other non-trialled submissions of particular interest are being showcased to Government, aviation industry and security experts. A final report, including detailed analysis of the trials results and potential commercialisation / implementation of successful products will be submitted to the UK Government's INSTINCT programme at the end of January 2011. For more information visit http://www.intellectuk.org/content/view/6127/719/
About Thales and Thales UK
Thales is a global technology leader for the Defence & Security and the Aerospace &
Transport markets. In 2009 the company generated revenues of £11.5 billion (12.9 billion), with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 22,500 engineers and researchers Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners. Thales UK employs 8,500 staff based at 40 locations. In 2009 Thales UK's revenues were around £1.5 billion. http://www.thalesgroup.com/uk
Press contacts:
Thales UK
Marc Holloran
Mob: +44 7854 438065
Email: marc.holloran@thalesgroup.com
Thales UK, Defence & Security C4I systems & Air Operations
Paul Mottershead
Mob: +44 7711 039095
Email: paul.mottershead@uk.thalesgroup.com
Liz Harris
Mob: +44 7860 111474
Email: liz.harris@thales-esecurity.com
