Currently, there are nearly 500 imaging technology units at 78 airports nationwide, including millimeter wave and backscatter units, with additional units planned for deployment this year.

Astrophysics will be the first to introduce this revolutionary product, featuring high resolution multi-view linescan imaging as well as 3D computed tomography CT reconstruction of an entire pallet or any given threat region. The system will provide a full range of multi-view and CT image manipulation tools along with automated decision algorithms to discriminate potential threat anomalies.

In line with DHS goals, the creation of the MVCTC system will enhance cost-effective penetration when screening high density materials and provide an operationally effective next generation solution.

Francois Zayek, President and CEO of Astrophysics Inc., commented

“We are excited to win this important development contract from DHS and look forward to close collaboration with our sponsors at the Directorate of Science and Technology. We believe by delivering this innovative technology we can transform the screening capability of the current air cargo industry.”

About Astrophysics Inc.
Astrophysics Inc. was founded in 2002 by Francois Zayek. Astrophysics offers a diverse x-ray product line including mailroom, checkpoint, baggage and cargo screening systems. Within the last decade Astrophysics has rapidly emerged as an industry leader in the global x-ray market- reaching an installation base of more than 5,000 units in more than 100 countries.

Astrophysics vision is to provide the best imaging technology in the industry. It is our focus on engineering research and integration of new technologies that distinguishes us from competitors and establishes us at the forefront of x-ray product development.
For more information please visit www.astrophysicsinc.com.

Contacts
Simon Bedford
Director of Government Programs
(909) 598-5488
sbedford@astrophysicsinc.com

These funds include $45.4 million for a new inline baggage screening system in the main terminal at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and $3.1 million for the design of an upgraded inline baggage screening system in Terminals One and Two at St. Louis International Airport.

The inline screening systems use state-of-the art technology to screen checked baggage for explosives more quickly, while streamlining the ticketing process. They also provide on-screen resolution capabilities for security officers screening baggage—reducing the number of re-scans and physical bag searches.

Additionally, Orlando International Airport will receive $7.5 million to expand their closed circuit television (CCTV) system with several hundred cameras to provide enhanced surveillance capabilities throughout the airport.

ARRA, signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17, 2009, committed more than $3 billion for homeland security projects through DHS and the General Services Administration. Of the $1 billion allocated to TSA for aviation security projects, $734 million is dedicated to screening checked baggage and $266 million is allocated for checkpoint explosives detection technologies.

More than 7,000 explosives trace detection units are currently in use by TSA at U.S. airports.

On March 5, DHS announced the initial deployment of ARRA-funded advanced imaging technology (AIT) units to 11 airports - the first of many to receive this new technology as the result of the Recovery Act. AIT units are designed to bolster security by safely screening passengers for metallic and non-metallic threats—including weapons, explosives and other objects concealed under layers of clothing.

Since President Obama signed the bill into law on Feb. 17, 2009, DHS announced nearly $600 million in ARRA investments devoted to securing the U.S. aviation system and creating jobs in local communities across the country. ARRA committed more than $3 billion for homeland security projects through DHS and the General Services Administration (GSA). Of the $1 billion allocated to TSA for aviation security projects, $734 million is dedicated to screening checked baggage and $266 million is allocated for checkpoint explosives detection technologies.

$6.1 million in ARRA funds will be used to purchase 135 chemical analysis devices to identify potential explosives in medically necessary liquids brought through security checkpoints at airports across the country.

In addition, $30.4 million in ARRA funding will be used to expand an inline baggage screening system at Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Inline baggage handling systems use state-of-the-art technology to screen checked baggage for explosives more quickly, while streamlining the ticketing and boarding process. The systems also provide on-screen resolution capabilities for TSA officers screening baggage, reducing the number of re-scans and physical bag searches.

The decision to deploy 1,800 AITs represents investment of about $300 Mln over period 2010 - 2014 (procurement only, not including training, installation, and maintenance costs). Staffing these machines will cost another $220 Mln. Training, installation and maintenance cost will likely add another $150 Miln into equation, bringing total the bill for deployment of new screening machines to about $700 Million over six year period.

According to a senior TSA official, the agency is taking these actions in response to the Christmas Day 2009 terrorist incident. These officials stated that they anticipate the AIT will provide enhanced security benefits compared to walk-through metal detectors, such as enhanced detection capabilities for identifying nonmetallic threat objects and liquids. TSA officials also stated that the AIT offers greater efficiencies because it allows TSA to more rigorously screen a greater number of passengers in a shorter amount of time while providing a detection capability equivalent to a pat down. For example, the AIT requires about 20 seconds to produce and interpret a passenger’s image as compared with 2 minutes required for a physical pat down. A senior official also stated that TSA intends to continue to offer an alternative but comparable screening method, such as a physical pat down, for passengers who prefer not to be screened using the AIT.

The AIT produces an image of a passenger’s body that a screener interprets. The image identifies objects, or anomalies, on the outside of the physical body but does not reveal items beneath the surface of the skin, such as implants. TSA plans to procure two types of AIT units: one type uses millimeter-wave and the other type uses backscatter X-ray technology. Millimeter-wave technology beams millimeter-wave radio-frequency energy over the body’s surface at high speed from two antennas simultaneously as they rotate around the body. The energy reflected back from the body or other objects on the body is used to construct a three-dimensional image. Millimeter wave technology produces an image that resembles a fuzzy photo negative. Backscatter X-ray technology uses a low-level X-ray to create a two-sided image of the person. Backscatter technology produces an image that resembles a chalk etching.

As of February 24, 2010, according to a senior TSA official, the agency has deployed 40 of the millimeter-wave AITs and procured 150 backscatter X-ray units in fiscal year 2009. In early March 2010, TSA initiated the deployment of these backscatter units starting with two airports, Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport in Des Plaines, Illinois. TSA officials stated that they do not expect these units to be fully operational, however, until the second or third week of March due to time needed to hire and train additional personnel. TSA estimates that the remaining backscatter X-ray units will be installed at airports by the end of calendar year 2010. In addition, TSA plans to procure an additional 300 AIT units in fiscal year 2010, some of which it plans to purchase with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In fiscal year 2011, TSA plans to procure 503 AIT units. TSA projects that a total of about 1,000 AIT systems will be deployed to airports by the end of December 2011. In fiscal year 2014 TSA plans to reach full operating capacity, having procured a total of 1,800 units and deployed them to 60 percent of the checkpoint lanes at Category X, I, and II airports.6 The current projected full operating capacity of 1,800 machines represents a more than two-fold increase from 878 units that TSA had previously planned. TSA officials stated that the cost of the AIT is about $170,000 per unit, excluding training, installation, and maintenance costs. In addition, in the fiscal year 2011 President’s budget submission, TSA has requested $218.9 million for 3,550 additional full-time equivalents (FTE) to help staff the AITs deployed in that time frame. From 2012 through 2014, as TSA deploys additional units to reach full operating capacity, additional staff will be needed to operate these units; such staffing costs will recur on an annual basis. TSA officials told us that three FTEs are needed to operate each unit.

Because the AIT presents a full body image of a person during the screening process, concerns have been expressed that the image is an invasion of privacy. According to TSA, to protect passenger privacy and ensure anonymity, strict privacy safeguards are built into the procedures for use of the AIT. For example, the officer who assists the passenger does not see the image that the technology produces, and the officer who views the image is remotely located in a secure resolution room and does not see the passenger. Officers evaluating images are not permitted to take cameras, cell phones, or photo-enabled devices into the resolution room. To further protect passengers’ privacy, ways have been introduced to blur the passengers’ images. The millimeter-wave technology blurs all facial features, and the backscatter X-ray technology has an algorithm applied to the entire image to protect privacy. Further, TSA has stated that the AIT’s capability to store, print, transmit, or save the image will be disabled at the factory before the machines are delivered to airports, and each image is automatically deleted from the system after it is cleared by the remotely located security officer. Once the remotely located officer determines that threat items are not present, that officer communicates wirelessly to the officer assisting the passenger. The passenger may then continue through the security process. Potential threat items are resolved through a directed physical pat down before the passenger is cleared to enter the sterile area. In addition to privacy concerns, the AITs are large machines, and adding them to the checkpoint areas will require additional space, especially since the operators are physically segregated from the checkpoint to help ensure passenger privacy. Adding a significant number of additional AITs to the existing airport infrastructure could impose additional challenges
on airport operators.

Since the Christmas Day failed attack TSA has increased its random use of ETD technology within security checkpoints to screen passengers’ hands and carry-on luggage. In addition, TSA piloted the use of ETD technology in both the checkpoint queue and boarding areas for two weeks at the following airports:

• Raleigh-Durham International Airport,
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport,
• Orlando International Airport,
• and Pitt-Greenville and Coastal Carolina Regional Airports in North Carolina.

There will be increased random use of ETD technology in areas where TSA currently conducts screening such as the security checkpoint, as well as in the checkpoint queue, and boarding areas. Officers may swab a piece of luggage or passengers’ hands, then use ETD technology to test for explosives. The swab is placed inside the ETD unit which analyzes the content for the presence of potential explosive residue. To ensure the health of travelers, screening swabs are disposed of after each use. Since it will be used on a random basis, passengers should not expect to see the same thing at every airport or each time they travel.

Brijot’s passive millimeter wave imaging systems do not emit radiation or energy at people during the screening process. Instead, they only receive naturally occurring millimeter waves from the human body, and any items hidden on someone’s body will show up in clear contrast in displayed images. The resolution of the images is deliberately set low to keep from showing anatomical detail to satisfy public’s privacy concerns.

Brijot Imaging Systems, Inc. announced the launch of two new solutions in Brijot’s suite of people screening technology — SafeScreen™ and MobileScan™, addressing the key deployment-related issues—throughput, portability and footprint size.

With its small footprint, SafeScreen was specifically designed to address the infrastructure and operational challenges currently faced by many airports and other facilities that have limited space to incorporate large-scale technologies that typically have slower throughput and larger footprint and power requirements. SafeScreen is highly compact and can be coupled with existing passenger screening solutions for an added layer of security to enhance primary screening capabilities and throughput. It detects smaller objects, offers a low total cost of ownership and requires minimal training and maintenance.

MobileScan, the industry’s first fully portable whole body imaging system, is a self-contained unit on wheels. It can be easily moved, plugged in and operational within minutes of arrival at any location without changing the existing infrastructure. MobileScan is ideal for both primary screening and secondary screening, or for use in conjunction with intelligence for random screening.

Both systems, built on Brijot’s patented GEN 2 millimeter wave technology, readily detect metallic and non-metallic items concealed objects under or in a person’s clothes such as liquids, explosives, weapons, drugs or cash without emitting any radiation or energy, making the systems safe, while also protecting personal privacy, since no anatomical details are revealed. SafeScreen is immediately ready for acquisition by government agencies and will be available to resellers and their end-users later this year. MobileScan is in full production and generally available.

• U.S. Airport Security Screening Markets Report covers the inspection and detection technology used to screen checked baggage, carry-on baggage, passengers and air cargo.
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• U.S. Handheld and Trace Explosives Detection Market
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• Global Homeland Security 2009-2019 - examines one of the defence industry’s newest and most promising sectors. Governmental spending on products and services for homeland security should reach $141.6bn worldwide in 2009.
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• IED Defence Market 2009-2018 - Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are a significant threat in many conflict zones, most notably in Afghanistan and Iraq currently. Those makeshift bombs can be presented surreptitiously and used without warning, to devastating effect, especially against patrolling troops. Main threats take the form of roadside bombs, car bombs and suicide bombing. The IED countermeasures and defence market is an important defence sector that will exhibit significant growth over the coming years, as this new visiongain defence report shows.
  Publisher: Visiongain
• Maritime Security Market Assessment - European Union -
  The European Union Maritime Security Market is set to decline from 2008 to 2015. The ports and ships have upgraded their security systems in 2004 keeping in line with the International Ships and Port Facilities Security (ISPS) regulations formulated by the International Maritime Organization of the United Nations.
  Publisher: Frost & Sullivan
• European First Responders C3I Market Assessment - The European first responders’ C3I market is undergoing a shift in the adoption of new technologies that link legacy systems as well as implement next-generation solutions. With increasing public and private initiatives, the growth opportunity is immense in this market. This study on the first responders’ C3I market primarily focuses on the command and control (C2), communications and intelligence used by first responders (law enforcement, fire brigade and emergency medical response teams) only and does not take into account C3I systems used by the military, paramilitary, border control, maritime security, airport and port security or other groups.
  Publisher: Frost & Sullivan
• Border Security Market Assessment - European Union - Border Security Market is gaining significance at the wake of stringent immigration laws being drafted by the European Union and all countries across Europe are implementing biometric passport process. The surveillance technology segment is gaining importance as more countries are opting for state of the art UAVs in border surveillance. The major technologies identified as having the greatest potential to enhance security are biometrics, explosive (and other) detection/screening systems, closed-circuit television, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
  Publisher: Frost & Sullivan

“The siren sound component is the primary life saving tool within the alert array. The cellular alert system is being currently evaluated to become the central element in this array.” Said Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai during official launch of eVigilo MobileAlert System at the Drill.

The drill will be managed by the Defense Ministry with the assistance of the National Emergency Authority.
Both parties were closely involved in the operational preparation and integration of the eVigilo’s MobileAlert platform into the existing emergency notification apparatus.

The exercise, aimed at training the Israeli home front, starting from the governmental level down to the civilian level, continued on Tuesday June 2nd with air raid sirens that were sounded across the country, and location based emergency mobile broadcast messages, initiated by the eVigilo’s MobileAlert platform, that are sent via multiple mobile operators.
On Wednesday, June 3rd, location-based emergency mobile broadcast messages were sent by eVigilo’s MobileAlert platform, to support the Political-Security Cabinet and national information system activities in selected regions.

eVigilo’s MobileAlert platform was developed in close collaboration with the Israeli Home Front Command and the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

eVigilo’s MobileAlert platform provides an effective solution for the transmission of vital, life-saving information to the public in times of emergency via mobile, in addition to sirens, TV and radio.”This is a novel and unique solution.” says Brigade General Zeev Zuk-Ram, Head of the National Emergency Authority.

eVigilo CEO, Guy Weiss, said: “eVigilo is proud and thrilled to be part of the biggest, most extensive civil defense drill in Israel’s history. We are happy to provide the Home Front Command and National Emergency Authority the core element for public mass alert mobile notification, in times of emergency.”

eVigilo’s MobileAlert platform is worldwide the first cell broadcast based emergency mass notification platform whose capabilities have been tested under real conditions in a nationwide drill involving all first responders, the Army, public and private entities.

About National Emergency Authority
RACHEL, Israel’s emergency authority, was established by Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai and is headed by Brigade General Zeev Zuk-Ram. RACHEL is responsible for coordination, in times of emergency, between the fire department, the Israel Defense Forces, the Home Front Command, Magen David Adom emergency medical services, the police, local authorities and others.

About eVigilo
eVigilo develops the industry’s only fully integrated, multi-technology mass alert platform that can reach millions of people in just seconds, to enhance safety and security and save lives in emergency situations. Developed in close collaboration with top experts in homeland security, the company’s flagship MobileAlert platform is the most effective and efficient turnkey solution for mass alert systems used by governments, homeland security and rescue forces, educational institutions, energy companies, industry and public utilities. eVigilo is managed by its founders and backed by a high caliber, experienced team of security and software professionals.
http://www.evigilo.net

eVigilo Press Contact
Feliks Vainik
feliks@evigilo.net
+972 54 2111 747