The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has awarded a US$198m contract to Analogic Corporation for the procurement of mid-sized computed tomography (CT) x-ray systems for TSA checkpoints.
David Pekoske, TSA administrator, said, “This award is another important step in enhancing aviation security. It provides our dedicated frontline officers with one of the best tools available to screen passenger carry-on items and also improves the passenger experience by allowing passengers to keep more items in their carry-on bags during the screening process.”
The contract, which is one element in the larger effort to improve security screening, will see the purchase of more than 300 mid-sized units. TSA anticipates these units will begin deployment to airport checkpoints in early 2022.
CT scanners apply sophisticated algorithms to detect explosives by creating 3D images. TSA officers can then view and rotate the image on three axes to analyze and identify any threat items that may be in a passenger’s baggage.