Rapiscan Introduces Driverless Eagle M60 Cargo Inspection System
Rapiscan Systems has introduced a driverless model of its M60 cargo inspection systems, a fully automated vehicle screening system that the company says offers benefits to customs and border control staff. Without the need for a driver, there are no concerns about driver fatigue, driver-work shift changes, while other benefits include improving inspection rates and vehicle throughput. The system is designed for customs and border security markets for the detection of nuclear materials, explosives, weapons and contraband that could be hidden ins trucks, cargo and containers. Rapiscan says the Driverless M60 can be driven on the road like a standard vehicle so that it can move between locations. The system can scan oversize cargo or multiple units in one pass. The original M60 was designed to meet customer demands for a flexible, mobile scanning system and the new design “builds on this success, and directly addresses a number of resourcing and financial challenges faced by customs and other border security agencies,” says Ajay Mehra, president of Rapiscan. Rapiscan is a division of OSI Systems [OSIS].
Vancouver Airport Authority Upgrades BorderXpress Kiosks with Cross Match Readers
Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR), which pioneered the integrated biometric technology BorderXpress automated passport control kiosks, has upgraded the system with Cross Match Technologies’ new Guardian Module, a 10-print fingerprint scanner that was developed for automated passport control and eGate applications. The upgrade will reduce the customs inspection process time and overall airport wait times. The upgrade enables international travelers with Electronic System Travel Authorization approval to use the BorderXpress kiosks. Previously only U.S. and Canadian passport holders could use BorderXpress but now the kiosks accept eligible travelers from 38 countries that do not require U.S. entry visas, including Australia, Japan, Germany and Britain. Cross Match will widely launch Guardian Mobile in June. YVR took advantage of Cross Match’s pre-release of the Guardian Module, a ten-print fingerprint scanner specifically designed for integration into Automated Passport Control and eGate applications. Chicago’s O’Hare International and Vancouver International Airports are the first to use BorderXpress. The airport authority recently sold 74 of the kiosks to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
TSA Issues Revised Guidelines for Checked Baggage Inspection Systems
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has released the revised Planning Guidelines and Design Standards (PGDS) for checked baggage inspection systems, Version 4.2, and includes results from a study of mini inline system designs, new Screening Technology Integration Program data, and infrastructure requirements. The PGDS is meant to assist planners and designers in developing cost-effective solutions for checked baggage inspection systems. The agency has already reviewed over 450 industry comments for Version 4.2 and will continue to accept comments from all stakeholders until June 30. The updated PGDS can be found at: http://www.tsa.gov/research-center/airport-checked-baggage-guidance-materials.
Navy EOD Technology Division Evaluates Colorimetric Explosive Detection Kits
The Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technology Division earlier this month concluded a week-long user-based evaluation of colorimetric explosive detection kits at the Army’s Blossom Point Research Facility in Maryland. The goal of the evaluation was to collect data on the performance and usability of the kits and the types of users and missions they could work in while simultaneously providing feedback to the manufacturers. The colorimetric kits us a chemical reaction to produce a visual signal when explosives are detected. The companies providing the kits were ChemSpectra, DetectaChem, Field Forensics, Lindon Defense, Mistral Security, and Morphix Technologies. Agencies represented included the Transportation Security Administration, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals, and all four services of EOD. The even was sponsored by the Joint Improvised Explosive Defeat Organization.
One Resonance Obtains ECAC Accreditation for Bottled Liquid Scanner
One Resonance Sensors, LLC (ORS) has received accreditation from the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) for its desktop MobiLab BLS bottled liquid scanner (BLS), allowing the company to sell the system for use at airport security checkpoints in Europe. The system is based on nuclear magnetic resonance technology. California-based ORS says that MobiLab BLS detects liquid explosives, precursors and other hazardous liquids in seconds, works with glass, plastic, ceramic and paper-wrapped containers, and can inspect full or partially full bottles of all colors. “With this endorsement, we are moving forward with our strategies for market adoption across Europe, the Middle East and Asia,” says Pablo Prado, CEO of ORS.
FireEye Acquires Network Forensic Solutions Provider nPulse Technologies
Cyber security solutions provider FireEye, Inc. [FEYE] agreed to acquire network forensics firm nPulse Technologies, allowing it to provide what it says is the industry’s first enterprise forensics solution across the cyber attack lifecycle. FireEye is paying $60 million in cash for nPulse plus the potential for $10 million in stock consideration if certain milestones are met. “With the addition of the nPulse solution, the FireEye platform will have a ‘flight recorder’ for security analytics,” says David DeWalt, chairman and CEO of FireEye. “By incorporating real-time breach information from the endpoint and the network, we’re building a single platform to provide the most in-depth attack information and the right data to protect and remediate before a compromise turns catastrophic.” A key feature of nPulse’s portfolio of solutions is the rapid performance speed, up to 10 gigabytes per second, which means faster incident response capabilities and a quicker understanding of the impact of a breach, FireEye says. nPulse says its customers include financial institutions, government agencies, telecommunications carriers and other organizations.