As we all know the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for making us take off our shoes and belts, but they are also at the front lines of detecting major threats to aircraft security, such as explosives, as well as protecting the entire airport in conjunction with airport authorities. This month, TSA executives made two major deals to bolster their ability to detect explosives and intrusion.

$70M in New Explosives Tech is on the Way
TSA recently purchased $70 million in computed tomography (CT) imaging technology from Maryland-based Smiths Detection. This expenditure is part of an equipment upgrade and expansion effort nationwide. The new tech will be able to identify explosives in checked baggage and is certified by both the TSA and the European Civil Aviation Conference. Several airports will receive new CT scanners, including Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Miami (MIA), Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), New York (JFK, LGA), Orlando (MCO), Philadelphia (PHL), San Diego (SAN), and Seattle (SEA).

Miami & San Jose Chosen for Perimeter Security Testing Program
Miami International Airport (MIA) and San Jose International Airport (SJC) were selected as test sites for cutting-edge perimeter intrusion detection and deterrence technology by the TSA. This new perimeter security program will cost nearly $5 million, with funding coming from Congress’ passage of the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act. TSA officials will work alongside airport authorities to test various technologies across airport perimeters; the lessons learned from this program will eventually be implemented nationwide once testing concludes in August 2019.

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