SubscribeL-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems, Inc. announced today that it has received a $4.8 million contract to conduct a feasibility study to determine the effectiveness of neutron resonance radiography (NRR) for containerized air cargo explosives screening.
The contract was competitively awarded to L-3 by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
L-3 is designing the electronics, mechanical systems and detection algorithms for the NRR project, and is working with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to perform experiments at their facilities, as well as at the Bates Linear Accelerator Center, which is operated by MIT. The initial research in NRR was performed at MIT.
"Developing cutting-edge technologies that help secure the nation's air cargo industry is a top priority for L-3," said Thomas Ripp, president of L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems. "Our relationship with MIT allows us to research and test the next generation of explosives screening systems, enabling us to more quickly deliver real-world solutions to customers."
The NRR project uses an accelerator to generate neutrons, which are passed through objects at different energies, providing the ability to perform elemental differentiation to identify explosives. By analyzing how the neutrons behave as they pass through materials at multiple energies, L-3 and MIT are able to target specific elements to determine how much of each element is present in a particular space in the cargo. This data is used to determine whether explosives are present within the object or container that is being screened.
NRR can be used not only to identify explosives, but also to detect other contraband. Because NRR measures an object's elemental composition, the system will be able to automatically detect explosive materials instead of having to rely solely on an operator to interpret an image.
"Combining the basic research strengths of MIT with L-3's product and operational experience enables us to rapidly develop technologies that the nation's airports so urgently need," said Richard Lanza, senior research scientist of the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering at MIT. "The partnership allows us to bring together the brightest minds - experts from L-3, MIT and elsewhere - to thoroughly test the NRR technology."
Woburn, MA, November 10, 2005
Safe Harbor Statement Under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act Of 1995
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release are forward looking statements. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to events or conditions or that include words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar expressions are forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements set forth above involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any such statement, including the risks and uncertainties discussed in the company's Safe Harbor Compliance Statement for Forward-looking Statements included in the company's recent filings, including Forms 10-K and 10-Q, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.