American Science and Engineering, Inc [ASEI] (AS&E) received an order for 200 MINI Z handheld Z Backscatter imaging systems from customers in China, the company said on Wednesday.

The MINI Z system allows for real-time detection of organic threats and contraband concealed in bags, vehicles, and hard-to-reach places, AS&E said.

The MINI Z handheld Z Backscatter imaging system.  Photo: American Science and Engineering, Inc.
The MINI Z handheld Z Backscatter imaging system.
Photo: American Science and Engineering, Inc.

The system will help government officials improve drug interdiction, law enforcements, and event security throughout China.

“China is one of our targeted growth areas and this order—the largest single MINI Z booking to date—confirms that we are making progress on our geographic expansion strategy,” Chuck Dougherty, AS&E’s president and CEO, said in a statement

“The MINI Z is the world’s first handheld Z Backscatter imaging scanner for fast, portable, real-time detection of hidden drugs, explosives, and other organic threats and contraband. The MINI Z system enables law enforcement, public safety and other security professionals to scan in places other systems can’t reach,” the company said.

The MINI Z was introduced in June 2014. The Z Backscatter is an X-ray imaging technology that produces a real-time image of the scan target. This image highlights organic materials that transmission X-ray systems can miss like explosives, currency, and drugs, AS&E said.