Smiths wins US contracts worth 252 million for advanced Xray systems

SMITHS Detection, part of the global technology business Smiths Group, today announces follow-on contracts worth $25.2m from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for additional Advanced Threat Identification X-Ray (aTiX) systems.

The contract awards follow an initial TSA order of $21m in October 2007 after successful trials at airports across the United States. The TSA is deploying aTiX  across the country and has completed checkpoint installations at Albuquerque and Denver International airports. The systems are already used in many UK airports.

Stephen Phipson, Group Managing Director of Smiths Detection, said: “This is a significant win for an advanced X-ray system that will greatly improve the TSA's ability to detect potential threats. With its multiple views generating clear images, the system provides the platform for future checkpoint screening and a strategic growth opportunity for Smiths Detection in the U.S. and internationally.”

Unlike conventional X-ray systems, aTiX captures multiple views of carry-on bags in a single sweep in the same throughput time as existing systems. It also includes powerful software algorithms which help the operator detect potentially harmful items.  This software has the potential to be upgraded as new threats emerge.

Smiths Detection is the world’s leading provider of threat detection systems with multiple technologies deployed in around 80 percent of the world’s commercial airports.