Smiths Detection Launches Security Scanner for Air Cargo
Smiths Detection has launched the HI-SCAN 145180-2is pro multi-view X-Ray scanner that it designed specifically to screen air cargo. The company says the scanner has two newly developed 200kV X-Ray generators set at 90-degrees from each other, with one under the conveyor belt, minimizing the need for re-scans and making it easier to maintain and service. The generators are also digitally controlled and offer advanced analysis and diagnosis capabilities. The tunnel handles objects up to 145 cm by 180 cm. “All our experience in screening air cargo has been leveraged to create a truly unique solution which fulfills the needs in the growing air cargo market for optimum performance from a compact and competitively priced scanner,” says Matthew Clark, vice president Technology for Smiths Detection.
CBP Adds Face Recognition to Arrival Process at Detroit Airport
Customs and Border Protection has launched Simplified Arrival at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, automating the process and biometrically matching the travel to their travel document using face comparison technology. The face recognition technology is used for crew members and travelers. The agency says that U.S. citizens that don’t want to have their photograph take may request alternative means of processing. Photographs of U.S. citizens collected through this process are deleted within 12 hours. With the deployment at Detroit Metro, CBP now has Simplified Arrival at 15 sites, four of which are preclearance locations in Dublin and Shannon, Ireland, Dubai in the UAE, and Aruba.
Collins Aerospace SelfPass Face Scan Deployed to Las Vegas for Biometric Exit
Collins Aerospace, a business of United Technologies Corp. [UTX], says its SelfPass biometric solution is being deployed to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport as part of Customs and Border Protection’s biometric exit program to track international departures. The face recognition-based biometric exit program is being deployed to international departure gates at U.S. airports to ensure foreign nationals are departing the U.S. in accordance with their visa terms. U.S. citizens may opt out of the face recognition scan and use traditional means to transit the departure gate. The SelfPass system allows travelers to step up to a camera to have their identity validated against CBP’s Traveler Verification Service database, which retrieves their boarding details, and allows them to board the aircraft through an auto boarding gate. “SelfPass takes less than one second to capture and process a passenger’s facial image and eliminates the need to repeatedly present travel documents, making the process more efficient for both passengers, airlines and airports,” says Christopher Forrest, vice president of Global Airport Systems for Collins Aerospace. SelfPass is already live with one airline. The company says that once the McCarran installation is complete, 19 airlines will be operational with it.
Israeli Firm’s Counter Drone Platform Evaluated by DoD in Black Dart
Israel’s D-Fend Solutions says that in August its EnforceAir counter unmanned aircraft system (UAS) platform was selected by the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit for evaluation during Black Dart 2019, a joint interagency demonstration focused on rapid development and implementation of counter-drone systems. D-Fend says that EnforceAir is an autonomous system that automatically and passively detects, locates and identifies drones as well as mitigates risk by taking control of them and landing them safely at a pre-defined safe zone. D-Fend is the only company that disclosed its participation in Black Dart. The objectives of Black Dart include assessing and validating existing and emerging air and missile defense capabilities and concepts specific to the C-UAS mission set, advocating for soldiers’ desired C-UAS capabilities; and informing future requirements decision making. “D-Fend Solutions’ EnforceAir has demonstrated unmatched abilities to successfully mitigate the growing threats of commercial drones, especially in today’s complex environments, thereby supporting U.S. law enforcement, DHS, DoJ and DoD agencies located in the U.S. and abroad to save the lives of our soldiers,” says Greg Gudger, president and CEO of ELTA North America, the exclusive marketer of D-Fend Solutions in the U.S.
DHS Provides SAFETY Act Designation to AeroDefense’s Drone Detection System
AeroDefense says the Department of Homeland Security has granted the company’s AirWarden drone defense technology SAFETY Act developmental testing and evaluation designation. The company says AirWarden is the first and only unmanned aircraft system (UAS) detection technology that has received the SAFETY Act designation, which provide limited liability protections in the case of terrorist attacks. “As someone who formerly served as the deputy director of the SAFETY Act Office and currently represents companies seeking SAFETY Act, I know how rigorous the DHS review process is,” says Akmal Ali, principal at Catalyst Partners. “Not only does this SAFETY Act award tell potential and current customers the AeroDefense has an effective tool for combating drone threats, but it also affords them a belt-and-suspenders approach to risk management and valuable liability protections.” AirWarden detects radio frequencies in the environment and detects a potential drone and its controller in seconds. The system the analyzes the signal to run it through several filters to ensure it is a drone or controller signal and then calculates its location.