The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has published an updated version of its non-sensitive security information Air Cargo Screening Technology List (ACSTL) that includes new equipment and vendors.
Equipment on the list can be acquired by airlines, freight forwarders, manufacturers and third parties to screen cargo bound for passenger planes to help TSA meet a looming Aug. 1, 2010 deadline for ensuring that all air cargo carried on passenger planes has been screened for explosives. Among the new equipment are three variants Gemini X-Ray systems supplied by American Science and Engineering [ASEI].
In addition, TSA has added Smiths Detection‘s HI-SCAN 1301130T-2is pallet-sized scanner to the ACSTL. The scanner is a mid-size X-Ray system that can handle larger cargo and features a low conveyor to enable forklift operations to ease screening.
TSA breaks its list into technology types, such as explosive detection systems and X-Ray systems. The list also contains qualified and approved technologies.
Qualified technologies on the current list expire on Oct. 22, 2014. Qualified technologies have gone through a formal test process and are qualified for five-years. Approved technologies on the current list expire on Jan. 31, 2012. These systems are “conditionally approved” for screening operations for three years but will be removed from the list at that time if they are unable to pass qualification tests by then.
“Due to this fact, regulated parties who procure devices from the approved technology section do so at their own risk,” TSA says.
TSA notes that it has not approved any technology that can screen unit load devices, which are essentially containers of cargo carried on airplanes. The maximum configuration of cargo that can be screened is 40-inches by 48-inches by 60-inces on a skid. The OSI Systems [OSIS] Rapiscan 632DV, 638DV and Smiths 180180T-2is are the only technologies either qualified or approved for bulk cargo screening on a skid.
The ACSTL version 2.0 follows:
QUALIFIED TECHNOLOGY
Non-Computed Tomography Transmission X-Ray Devices
Manufacturer Technology
AS&E Gemini 6040, Gemini 7555 and Gemini 100100
Smiths Detection 100100T-2is
Astrophysics, Inc. XIS 6545 DV and XIS 100 XDV
L-3 Communications ACX 6.4 and ACX 6.4 MV
Rapiscan 620 XR, 620 DV, 627 XR, 627 DV, 628 XR, 632 DV and 639 DV
Smiths Detection 6049 aTiX, 10080 EDts, 10080 EDX 2is, 130130T 2is and 1801080T 2is
Explosive Detection Systems
General Electric CTX 2500, CTX 5500, CTX 9000DSi and CTX 9400DSi
L-3 eXaminer 6000 and eXaminer 6600
Reveal Imaging CT-80 and CT-80DR
APPROVED TECHNOLOGY
Non-Computed Tomography X-Ray Transmission Devices
Manufacturer Technology
L-3 MVT-HR, VIS-HR
Rapiscan MVXR 5000
Explosive Trace Detection Devices
Manufacturer Technology
GE Itemiser II, Itemiser DX and Vapor Trace II (particle mode only)
Smiths Detection IONSCAN 400B and 500DT, Sabre 4000 (particle mode only)