Homeland Security News

The latest SmartBio Sensor of Smiths Detection has been successfully field tested with a major metropolitan police department in the U.S. with the aim of becoming part of its overall protection plan. The battery-powered SmartBio Sensor is portable and ruggedized, enabling it to be used to proactively protect public venues in various applications including perimeter monitoring for both indoor and outdoor events as well as in a range of military environments. With increased sensitivity and enhanced software, the system detects the presence of airborne biological microbes and bio-toxins, providing active monitoring and classification to help protect against biological threats. The advanced system continuously samples the air, trapping bio-aerosol particles on a sensor surface. The onboard computer is then able to detect and classify the bio-materials, triggering an alarm if a potential threat is discovered. Bio-agents are retained for confirmatory analysis and archiving. Compared to the initial model, the SmartBio Sensor now features increased sensitivity and enhanced software capabilities to enable wider usage for the device.

Smiths Detection also launched the LCD-NEXUS, a highly selective and sensitive Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) and Toxic Industrial Chemical (TIC) detector suitable for harsh environments. The new device uses advanced Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) technology. The portable system is capable of detecting harmful agents down to miosis levels, greatly increasing critical information needed by emergency responders and military personnel. The system provides critical chemical details including class, type, concentration and dosage as well as CWA identification. Its communications capabilities enable systems to be networked together and remotely controlled, creating an invisible, low-maintenance and reliable CWA warning grid for enhanced perimeter protection. In addition to use in perimeter protection applications, the LCD-NEXUS will also serve fixed or moving platforms like ships and tightly confined areas where highly reliable and dependable detection solutions with low false alarm rates are necessary.

Technological Responses to Biological Threats

BOSTON, MA – May 12, 2010 – The Knowledge Foundation has announced that the opening keynote address for the 16th Biodetection Technologies conference will be made by Dr. Michael V. Walter, BioWatch Program Manager at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Walter will discuss lessons learned from technological problems, the current status of BioWatch Gen-3 sensor-type technologies, and plans for Gen-4 advanced systems. Biodetection Technologies will be held from June 17-18, 2010 at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, VA.

Biodetection Technologies is an internationally recognized event for experts in detection and identification of biological and chemical threats and will explore the latest R&D developments as well as ready-to-market systems for major biothreat detection, identification, and analysis both in the field and at the point-of-care. More than 140 organizations from around the world convened in Baltimore for last year’s conference. Program topics include:

- Point-of-care applications for pathogen, virus & threat detection & identification
- Technological challenges for rapid, early, specific & sensitive detection
- Role of nanotechnology and system miniaturization – MEMS & bioMEMS
- Use of biochip technology – micro- & nanofluidics
- Bioinformatics for biodefense
- Field-deployable devices: portability/compatibility/reliability/scalability
- Reagentless vs. reagent biodetection systems
- Non-PCR vs. PCR based detection techniques

Distinguished Faculty
- Elodie Brient-Litzler, PhD, Bertin Technologies
- Caifu Chen, PhD, Life Technologies Corporation
- Douglas B. Chrisey, PhD, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Claudia Gärtner, PhD, microfluidic ChipShop GmbH
- Vincent Gau, PhD, Genefluidics
- Haiqing Gong, PhD, Nanyang Technological University
- Marcy Beth Grace, PhD, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- Kathryn M. Hansen, California Department of Public Health
- Winston Ho, PhD, Applied Biocode
- Michele D. Kattke and Larry D. Stephenson, PhD, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Ken Klein, Smiths Detection, Inc.
- Marie Lesaicherre, PhD, Morpho Detection Inc., SAFRAN
- Leanna M. Levine, PhD, President and CEO, ALine, Inc.
- Feng Long, Tsinghua University
- Rosemonde Mandeville, PhD, Biophage Pharma Inc.
- Mansoor Nasir, PhD, Naval Research Laboratory
- Rosemary Tan, PhD, Genecet Biotechnologies Pte Ltd. & Veredus Laboratories Pte Ltd.
- Willy A. Valdivia-Granda, PhD, Orion Integrated Biosciences Inc.
- Michael V. Walter, PhD, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Julie Zhu, PhD, GE Global Research, General Electric Company

About The Knowledge Foundation
The Knowledge Foundation integrates scientific ingenuity and real-world applications by fostering collaborative research at the rapidly changing intersection of science and business. Known for providing members of its Technology Commercialization Alliance with direct and unbiased state-of-the-art scientific information, the Knowledge Foundation is uniquely qualified to provide wider exposure for important developments in the emerging fields of alternative energy, nanotechnology, and chemical/biological detection technologies.

Contact:
Knowledge Foundation
18 Webster Street
Brookline, MA 02446
Phone: (617) 232-7400
Fax: (617) 232-9171
Email: dmello@knowledgefoundation.com
Website: www.knowledgefoundation.com

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has ordered approximately 200 ProVision advanced imaging technology systems for the screening of passengers at U.S. airport checkpoints from L-3 Communications. The millimeter wave (MMW) technology in the ProVision system utilizes radio waves to detect threats that may be hidden under a passenger’s clothing. A broad variety of concealed materials, including both metallic and non-metallic threat items, can be found with these machines.

Senator Hutchison noted that the fiscal year 2010 budget for the nation’s surface transportation security is just $110 million, which represents just over two percent of TSA’s total budget. She said that this level of funding is not equal to the level of risk facing the country. Recent reports by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General concluded that TSA has still not completed an overall risk assessment of mass transit, the passenger rail system, or the commercial vehicle sector. The White House also conducted its own independent assessment of surface transportation security released on April 2, 2010. That assessment was conducted by reaching out to government and private sector stakeholders and found that there are significant overlaps in federal programs and agencies. The assessment also noted a need for more coordination between government agencies and the private sector.

Senator Hutchison called on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure that the security of the U.S. rail, bus and highway networks be a top agency priority.

“The security of the nation’s surface transportation systems, although long overshadowed by aviation security, must be one of our nation’s highest priorities,” said Senator Hutchison. “It has been more than eight years since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, and during that time there have been more than 700 attacks on rail and bus systems around the world, killing and injuring thousands of people. Fortunately, there has not been a successful attack in the United States like the recent bombing on the Moscow subway system. But the recent plot to detonate explosives on the New York City subway demonstrates the seriousness of the threats to our surface transportation systems.”

Navy Adm. Mark P. Fitzgerald, commander of U.S. naval forces in Europe and Africa and of NATO’s Allied Joint Task Force Command Naples, suggested that commercial vessels should arm themselves when traveling through pirate-infested waters off the Somali coast. told Pentagon reporters that the scope of the piracy problem is too great to be policed by military vessels alone. Fitzgerald, a top Navy commander, told that the scope of the piracy problem is too great to be policed by military vessels alone.

“We could put a World War II fleet of ships out there,” Fitzgerald said, referring to the Gulf of Aden and the Mozambique Channel off the Indian coast, “and we still wouldn’t be able to cover the whole ocean.”

On an average day, 30 to 40 ships comprising international maritime forces monitor pirate activity in the Somali basin and the western Indian Ocean, Fitzgerald said, adding that five to 10 of these ships at any given time are American vessels.

Another issue, the admiral said, is what to do with pirates who are captured. The international community, he explained, has not yet answered the question of how to bring to justice pirates captured at sea. This issue has come to the fore with the recent capture of five suspected pirates by the crew of the USS Nicholas in the Indian Ocean west of the Seychelles.

“Catch and release is not a very good option,” Fitzgerald said. “How do we deal with this? We’ve got to come to some kind of solution.”

“Commercial ships should take appropriate protections,” Admiral Fitzgerald added, “because we cannot offer 100-percent guarantees of protection as the ships go through.”

Photo by PhotoStudio.org

Due to the intricacies of international law, ship security guards do not always carry weapons. Israeli practice of placing armed security teams on commercial vessel proved the most successful today. Israeli maritime security teams find themselves in high demand due to their experience, reputation and military training.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the purchase of more than 1,200 explosives trace detection units using $35.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to improve explosives detection capabilities at airports nationwide while infusing Recovery Act dollars into local economies.

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.

BroadSword Unmanned Aircraft System, designated the MQM-171A, goes into production. for the U.S. Army Targets Management Office (TMO). BroadSword was developed by Griffon Aerospace to represent a generic tactical class unmanned aircraft system that could be employed against U.S. and allied forces in the field. BroadSword is a 500 pound class, 17 foot wing span aircraft capable of carrying a variety of payloads. The aircraft provides a reasonably priced target system to support testing of DoD’s weapons systems under development and will be available to support DoD’s training requirements.

A recently released Market Research Media report “U.S. Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Market Forecast 2010-2015″ finds that the U.S. military UAV market will generate $ 62 Billion revenues over the period 2010 – 2015. The U.S. UAV market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10% between 2010 and 2015, says the report.

Griffon Aerospace has been awarded a five-year multi-million dollar production contract in August 2009 by the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command. Under this contract Griffon will manufacture the MQM-171A target systems, provide engineering services, conduct flight services, and complete depot maintenance services for the BroadSword system. Griffon Aerospace also manufacturers the 130 pound class Remotely Piloted Vehicle Target (RPVT) system designated as the MQM-170A Outlaw. In 2009 Griffon was competitively awarded its second five year contract for the continued manufacture and flight support of the Outlaw RPVT. Under these contracts in support of the U.S. Army, Griffon Aerospace has manufactured over 2,000 Outlaw RPVTs, technically making Griffon Aerospace one of the highest volume unmanned aircraft system manufacturers in the United States. These low-cost unmanned aircraft systems provide affordable training for Army Air Defense Units worldwide, support testing of developmental weapon systems, and assist Defense system payload system developers with a low-cost unmanned aerial platform. Griffon Aerospace has also been awarded the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Aerial Target contract. This target system uses a modified version of the popular Outlaw system to support Navy requirements.

American Science and Engineering, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASEI), a provider of X-ray detection solutions, announced a $11.8 million order from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for multiple MobileSearch™ HE (High-Energy) cargo and vehicle inspection systems equipped with both high-energy transmission and Z Backscatter™ X-ray imaging for comprehensive threat and contraband detection including weapons, explosives, drugs, and currency.

The MobileSearch HE system offers two complementary imaging technologies integrated in one system. Its 4.5 MeV high energy transmission X-ray generates high penetration and high resolution images for the inspection of densely loaded cargo. The system also utilizes Z Backscatter X-ray imaging to assist in the identification of organics for improved detection of drugs, explosives, and other organic contraband. Z Backscatter technology offers the additional benefit of photo-like images for improved image analysis time, as well as a wide field of view with no tire cutoff unlike transmission X-rays — allowing for the effective scanning of passenger vehicles and tires.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin implementing new enhanced security measures for all air carriers with international flights to the United States to strengthen the safety and security of all passengers—superseding the emergency measures put in place immediately following the attempted terrorist attack on Dec. 25, 2009.

“These new measures utilize real-time, threat-based intelligence along with multiple, random layers of security, both seen and unseen, to more effectively mitigate evolving terrorist threats,” said Secretary Napolitano. “The terrorist threat to global aviation is a shared challenge and ensuring aviation security is a shared responsibility. I commend our many partners around the world who have taken steps to increase their own security measures through deployment of new technology, enhanced information sharing and stronger standards to keep air travel safe.”

These new, enhanced measures are part of a dynamic, threat-based aviation security system covering all passengers traveling by air to the United States while focusing security measures in a more effective and efficient manner to ensure the safety and security of the traveling public. Passengers traveling to the United States from international destinations may notice enhanced security and random screening measures throughout the passenger check-in and boarding process, including the use of explosives trace detection, advanced imaging technology, canine teams, or pat downs, among other security measures.

These new, more flexible security protocols—tailored to reflect the most current information available to the U.S. government—will apply to all passengers traveling to the United States.

Secretary Napolitano, in conjunction with the United Nations specialized agency International Civil Aviation Organization, has been leading a global initiative to strengthen the international aviation system against the evolving threats posed by terrorists, working in multilateral and bilateral contexts with governments as well as industry. Over the past three months, Secretary Napolitano has participated in regional aviation security summits around the world in Spain, Mexico and Tokyo, forging historic agreements with her international colleagues to strengthen the civil aviation system through enhanced information collection and sharing, cooperation on technological development and modernized aviation security standards.

Secretary Napolitano also commended today’s release of the Surface Transportation Security Priority Assessment as another important step in efforts to protect the nation’s traveling public from acts of terrorism—conducted by the Obama administration in its first year as a thorough review of the nation’s surface transportation security efforts, which cover mass transit, commuter and long-distance passenger rail, freight rail, commercial vehicles and pipelines. The Assessment was developed through engagement with federal, state, local and tribal government partners as well as the private sector, provides a comprehensive framework of recommendations to enhance surface transportation security.

The Assessment reflects the Obama administration’s commitment to coordinating surface transportation security efforts among all government partners and the private sector to enhance security; reduce risk; improve the efficiency and effectiveness of federal security capabilities; strengthen interactive stakeholder partnerships; and streamline security management coordination to protect Americans from threats of terrorism. It provides a comprehensive framework for the continued improvement of surface transportation security and identifies discrete areas of focus for the institution of changes that will make the nation safer.

In response to the December 2009 attempted terrorist attack, TSA has revised its procurement and deployment strategy for the AIT, increasing the number of AITs it plans to procure and deploy. In contrast with its prior strategy, the agency now plans to acquire and deploy 1,800 AITs (instead of the 878 units it had previously planned to acquire) and to use them as a primary screening measure where feasible rather than solely as a secondary screening measure.

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.