L-3 Communications [LLL] has received a $21 million order from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to provide the agency with additional body scanners to check travelers for concealed threats at airport security checkpoints.

L-3 ProVision AIT system. Photo: TSA
L-3 ProVision AIT system. Photo: TSA

L-3 said the order is for its ProVision 2 next-generation advanced imaging technology (AIT) system. The company’s AIT systems are deployed at around 200 airports in the United States.

L-3, which is the sole provider of AIT systems to TSA, said the latest award brings the installed base of ProVision systems to U.S. airports to about 1,000. Worldwide the company has supplied nearly 2,000 ProVision systems for use at airports and other security screening checkpoints.

“We’re pleased that the TSA has chosen L-3’s ProVision 2 as part of its strategy to enhance checkpoint security and the airline passenger experience,” Michael Strianese, L-3’s chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “We are committed to building our long-term relationship with the TSA and to continue investing in research and development initiatives that yield security innovations and meet performance requirements.”

TSA made the award using an existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract with L-3.

TSA uses the ProVision millimeter wave systems to automatically screen travelers to potential threats that might be hidden beneath their clothing. If an anomaly is detected, the system shows the operator where on a person’s body the potential threat is located so that a limited secondary inspection, typically a localized pat down, can be conducted.