Weapon and Explosives Detection Technology Securing the Nation’s Transit Systems
L-3 Communications, Analogic, Sniffex, Sense Holdings and Technest Work to Protect Mass Transit Systems and Critical Infrastructure
By: Ann-Marie Fleming
Feburary 2006
As Homeland Security efforts domestically and abroad continue to fight the
war against terrorism there continues to be a significant need for
innovative methods for detecting weapons and explosives. Detection
technology has many applications from protecting our ports and borders, to
airports and other mass transit systems, to crime scenes and hostile
military areas. It is apparent that the Homeland Security industry as a
whole is here for the long run and areas such as detection technology
continues to be a growing market within this sector.
As described by Jack Mallon, Senior Managing Director of Mallon Associates,
an investment bank focused on the security industry, “It is an event driven
market and the events over the past month or so including the most recent
threat from Bin Laden will be a key driver for this sector of the industry.”
“Threats posed to a country's critical infrastructure are constantly
changing and can emerge quickly,” states William Frain, Senior Vice
President of L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems (NYSE:
LLL).
“Granted, much has been accomplished to protect this infrastructure and
prepare for the worst, and L-3 Communications Security and Detection System
has participated in the strengthening of some of the world's most vulnerable
targets by deploying its advanced security screening technology. Although
the risks vary for each transportation mode, the fundamental elements in
protecting our transportation systems require the screening of people,
baggage, containers, and vehicles. L-3 is the leading provider of security
screening equipment that addresses these core requirements.”
As a result of the growing demand for effective detection technology, new
products are coming on the market at an ever increasing pace. Paul Johnson,
CEO of Sniffex, Inc. (OTC.PK:
SNFX),
a developer of a lightweight handheld distance weapon and explosives
detection device explains, “Private industry recognized the need and the
market potential for new and more effect tools for the fight against terror
worldwide. Add to that, Homeland Defense funding, not only in the US, but
worldwide for research and development, and you have the potential for an
impressive array of new tools.”
The most urgent national security threat confronting most western nations,
according to Dore Perler, CEO of Sense Holdings Inc. (OTCBB:
SEHO), a
developer of integrated explosive detection technologies, is the
surreptitious introduction of lethal substances into our social
infrastructures. “These substances include explosives, chemical warfare
agents and biological warfare agents, therefore Sense is working to address
these vulnerabilities with high-performance detector systems based on our
patented Micro Electro-Mechanical Sensor (MEMS) detection technology. The
inherent low-cost of MEMS-based detector systems will permit large-scale
worldwide deployment to all security forces. We plan to complete our
handheld MEMS explosives detector demonstrator during the latter part of the
first-quarter of 2006,”states Perler.
Transit Security:
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is still very focused on
aviation security over other transit areas such as subways, railways, ships
etc. According to Peter Harris, Vice President for Security Strategy for
Analogic Corporation (NASDAQ:
ALOG), a
leading designer of security systems, “There are two main reasons for TSA’s
continued focus on security. First of all, terrorists believe in
sensationalism and drama to convey their views. Accordingly, we have seen
that airliners filled with innocent passengers are a likely target and will
continue to be so. Secondly, from a technical standpoint, there can be more
damage inflicted on an airplane with a small amount of explosives than
possible on a cruise ship or a subway station. Therefore, the industry,
particularly the aviation sector, still believes that the biggest threat we
face today are very small amounts of explosives hidden in checked bags or
carry-on items.”
Harris describes a security focus aimed at addressing the threat of carrying
small amounts of explosives as exceedingly difficult to detect. “We have
seen specific examples of people willing to die going on board commercial
aircraft.”
Part of the government’s focus is to be able to detect small amounts of
explosives being carried on board aircraft by passengers.” Analogic is
addressing this issue through the development of a highly sophisticated
system called COBRA. This is an Explosives Detection System (EDS) that
automatically detects explosives and weapons and provides this information
real-time to the operator by way of a 3-D display. COBRA will be deployed at
our airport’s checkpoints and it represents a revolutionary advancement over
current conventional x-ray systems that only take one view of a bag from a
fixed angle. Harris further describes the technology, “Because COBRA is a
small CT system, its x-ray source goes around the entire item and the
operator is provided with a 3-D display of the entire contents of the bag
with those threat items automatically displayed.”
L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems is heavily involved in
transit security through a variety of technologies. Frain describes, “As a
leader in the development of advanced screening technologies, L-3 has
developed an array of forward-thinking detection systems that set the
industry standard for accuracy, reliability, and operational efficiency. For
example L-3, in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT), is refining elemental differentiation into a powerful threat
detection technology known as Neutron Resonance Radiography for screening
containerized air cargo.
Additionally, L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems is
developing an advanced container security device ( ACSD) that features
advanced state-of-the-art sensors that will continually screen the contents
of sealed cargo containers for explosives and biological, chemical, and
nuclear threat substances. According to Mr. Frain, ACSD has the ability to
track the entire sequence of a sealed cargo container's journey, from the
moment it arrives at the point of departure to release at its final
destination. Furthermore, ACSD is designed to automatically identify
tampering at any point in the container's passage, as well as detect
breaches wherever they occur: on the container's sides, roof, or bottom.
In terms of securing other mass transit systems such as subway, bus and rail
stations, TSA is feeling pressure to address these needs. The London
bombings were an indication of the potential threats that exist in these
areas. Robert Tarini, Chairman and CEO of Technest Holdings (OTCBB:
TCNH), a
provider of advanced remote sensor systems, chemical detectors, intelligent
surveillance and advanced 3D imaging technology solutions describes,
“Chemical and explosives detection technologies that can be installed to
cover large areas such as cargo ports, transportation systems and sensitive
federal facilities will become a hot commodity. We are trying to solve
problems that nobody has yet to date been able to do and we have the
brightest minds in the United States working on it.”
“You are going to start seeing in 2006 pilot projects where the TSA will be
placing Analogic Cobras into rail stations, buses, as well as critical
infrastructure of the country such as water treatment facilities, power
plants, anything that terrorists can get into and are important to protect,”
explains Harris.
Sense Holdings anticipates that MEMS-based detector systems will be the
dominant detection technology of the future providing security solutions to
address the needs for protecting our systems of transit. “MEMS combine all
of the most desirable characteristics of a detection system, such as small
size, lightweight, very low cost and a sensitivity level much greater than
that of a trained sniffing dog. Our cartridge-based detector systems will
allow very quick and low-cost field updates as new detection capabilities
are continuously expanded. Beyond explosives, these capabilities will also
encompass chemical and biological warfare agents in one handheld detector,”
states Perler.
“Furthering the probability of threat detection for checkpoint security, L-3
Communications Security and Detection Systems will be introducing an
innovative advanced imaging portal using millimeter-wave technology for
non-intrusive screening at a much higher throughput than existing trace
detection portals. Partnering with government, L-3 Security and Detection
Systems is currently involved in two separate pilot programs sponsored by
the TSA to strengthen security for rail and air cargo,” explains Frain.
Distance Detection:
There are multiple applications for technology that can detect weapons and
explosives from a distance long enough to offer a high degree of safety for
those operating the device. There are many areas that place our members of
law enforcement and military agencies at risk. Paul Johnson describes such
risks, “First, the "hot spot" of a crime scene or other suspect area is the
most dangerous. Police, government agents and military personnel often have
to try to clear these areas without any clear indication of what they face
before entering the area. Any tool that can help detect a threat before
entering that area can save lives. Sniffex is unique in that it is able to
detect the existence of weapons or explosives from a distance. In many cases
an operator can "sweep" a "hot spot" and determine the risk before any
invasive action is taken. Distance detection dramatically reduces the risks
involved in clearing a dangerous area.”
“As of today, being able to detect a potential threat from explosives or
chemical weapons from a safe standoff distance to an area which is highly
populated is still a big unfulfilled need in the DOD/Homeland Security
marketplaces. Technest is meeting this challenge through our Automated
Adaptive Chemical Exploitation System (AACES), a remote sensor that can fill
the need in many applications,” describes Tarini.
Driving Forces:
Overall it appears that this segment of the Homeland Security market
continues to evolve and becomes reinforced as the world continues its battle
against the real threat of terrorism. Mallon explains, “Among the various
factors that have the potential to invigorate weapons and explosives
detection are the Bin Laden threat, the 9-11 commission report of
deficiencies in the implementation of their recommendations and depending
congressional oversight in this area which I understand may have negative
reports forthcoming from congressional committees as to the effectiveness
and efficiency of the airport security process under the TSA. Therefore I
think that the stage is set for more activity in this space. Overall, it
looks like there may be a second wave for this arena.”
According to Johnson, “There are some exciting advances in this arena that
will be announced in the next 12 months warranting a hard look at the
potential in this market segment. The investments being made now by
government and private industry are tremendous and that will result in
products that could deliver very good returns, given the worldwide market
demand.”
Ann-Marie Fleming
Ann-Marie Fleming completed her MBA in the United States, where she attended
Webster University. She also holds an Honors B.A from the University of
Toronto. She has over fifteen years of experience within the financial
industry to include retail banking and brokerage, investment banking, and
mortgage brokerage within the United States and Canada, with a firm
background in corporate research.
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