The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has awarded Morpho Detection a $35.5 million contract for the purchase of 1,245 explosives trace detectors (ETD) that will be used to bolster aviation security at the nation’s airports, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said yesterday.

The award was made with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Morpho Detection is part of France’s Safran Group and is the former homeland protection business of General Electric [GE].

TSA is purchasing the Itemiser DX from Morpho. Britain’s Smiths Detection also has ETD systems that are qualified by the TSA for purchase by the agency.

TSA recently expanded the use of ETD technology in the nation’s airports. Traditionally, the machines were used to help screen, or screen outright, carry-on and checked baggage. Now it is being used to screen the hands of passengers or their clothing as part of stepped up security efforts in the wake of the failed Christmas Day bombing aboard an international flight from Amsterdam to Detroit.

More than 7,000 ETD units are currently used by TSA at airports.