Millimeter-Wave Imaging Put To Test In DHS Explosives/Weapons Detection Screening Program

New York -- L-3 Communications announced that its Security and Detection Systems subsidiary is participating in the second phase of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Rail Security Pilot (RSP) project, which will screen transit passengers for explosives. This phase of the project will use L-3's ProVision body screening portal at the Port Authority Trans Hudson Corporation's (PATH) Exchange Place Station in Jersey City, New Jersey. The trial is scheduled to take place from July 13 through July 27, 2006.

The ProVision system, developed by L-3 SafeView, reveals the presence of explosives and concealed objects anywhere on the body in as little as two seconds. The system uses non-ionizing active millimeter wave (MMW) imaging technology to detect virtually any material, including wire, liquid, ceramic, plastic, and metal.

"The vulnerability of the nation's transit systems to terrorist threats cannot be overemphasized," said Thomas Ripp, president of L-3 Security and Detection Systems. "Protecting the public requires a comprehensive, realistic, and forward-thinking approach to mass transit security. L-3 is dedicated to bringing the very best technology to bear on this vital mission, and we're very pleased to be part of this critically important project."

Used to screen travelers at some of the world's busiest airports, including Mexico City and Amsterdam's Schiphol, a key advantage of ProVision over alternative body screening methods or technologies is the system's high throughput rates. "Maintaining passenger throughput levels is essential, especially in high-traffic situations," Mr. Ripp added. "In demonstrating ProVision's consistent performance at a rail station with high ridership, we are making the case that thorough, accurate, and reliable passenger screening is easily achievable. We can detect a wider range of threats, dramatically increase the likelihood of detecting them, and protect the public to a greater degree than ever before."

Serving more than 200,000 passengers each weekday, the PATH's Exchange Place Station is the primary rail transit link between lower Manhattan and New Jersey.

L-3's body-screening portals have enhanced security at railway stations in the UK, border crossings in Israel, international airports, ferry landings in Singapore, and government and commercial buildings in The Hague and Tokyo. L-3 SafeView portals also safeguard soldiers and workers in Iraq's Green Zone.

Earlier this year, L-3 participated in the first phase of the RSP, screening passenger baggage at Exchange Place Station with its APS-II checkpoint X-ray system. Combining powerful material analysis technology and dual X-ray data to reveal the most cleverly masked suspicious substances, L-3's APS-II automatically analyzes each piece of baggage and automatically signals the presence of threat substances and contraband, including narcotics. The port authorities of New York and New Jersey collaborated with the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate's (DHS S&T) Countermeasures Test Beds program on the trial.

SOURCE: L-3 Communications