TSA Certifies Smiths Detection’s High-Speed EDS
Smiths Detection says the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has given laboratory certification to the company’s HI-SCAN 10080 XCT explosive detection system for checked baggage screening, a key milestone in being put on the agency’s Qualified Products List, which is necessary for any systems to be deployed at U.S. airports. The system must still be tested at TSA’s Transportation Security Integration Facility and go through operational testing at a U.S. airport. The XCT is based on Smith’s dual-energy, dual-view X-Ray technology and Analogic Corp.’s [ALOG] computed tomography technology. “With TSA laboratory certification now added to European Union EDS Standard 3 approval, the HI-SCAN 10080 XCT is ideally suited for installation at all major airports outside the U.S.,” says Mal Maginnis, president of Smiths Detection. “It is the fastest, largest tunnel-size baggage screening system in the industry today.” The system can screen up to 1,800 bags per hour.
OSI System’s RTT EDS System Achieves European Standard 3 Approval
OSI Systems [OSIS] says its large tunnel Real Time Tomography (RTT) explosive detection system (EDS) has passed the European Civil Aviation Conference’s Standard 3 threat detection test, the highest standard set by the ECAC for the detection of explosive threats in checked baggage. The newly approved large tunnel RTT 110 and previously approved RTT 80 can screen up to 1,800 bags per hour. The systems can be configured to screen at the same rate as airport baggage handling systems. OSI Systems says that with the larger tunnel size, the RTT 110 is designed to fit the needs of airports that are looking for a hold baggage scanner that can accommodate larger items and easily integrate with their existing baggage handling infrastructure.
Tyco to Acquire Video Management Systems Company Exacq Technologies
Tyco [TYC] has reached an agreement to acquire Indiana-based Exacq Technologies for $150 million in cash, expanding its video solutions with a developer of open architecture video management systems for security and surveillance applications. The deal is expected to close late this year and complement Tyco Security Products’ video technology portfolio while strengthening its presence in the video security market. “The quality of Exacq’s products coupled with ease of use and ease of installation help us address the needs of a very different type of video user than we do with our current portfolio,” says Mike Ryan, president of Tyco Security Products. “Meeting the varied requirements of the diverse video customer base provides us with a unique position in the security industry, and increases Tyco Security Products’ leadership in the video security business.” Exacq offers solutions that scale from single camera applications to integrated systems with thousands of cameras. The new business is expected to generate $75 million in sales in FY ’14.
National Guard Units Equipped with WIN-T Increment 1
General Dynamics [GD] says its Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) has obtained a significantly expanded role with the Army National Guard, providing a critical communications hub that re-establishes secure, high-speed, high-bandwidth network communications following domestic natural disasters and civil emergencies. The National Guard first used WIN-T Increment 1 following Hurricane Sandy in Oct. 2102 when power was lost and cellular and mobile communications were unavailable, enabling law enforcement, first responders and military organizations to communicate, share data and collaborate while keeping communication over secure military networks separated. National Guard units in very state are equipped with WIN-T Increment 1 systems.