Washington, D.C. airports install Smiths' X-rays

July 23, 2008
aTiX systems to scan carry on luggage at three D.C. airports

Smiths Detection, part of the technology business Smiths Group, announced installation of its new Advanced Threat Identification X-ray (aTiX) systems in all three major Washington, D.C. area airports.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has upgraded security checkpoints at Washington Dulles International (IAD), Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) and Reagan National Airports (DCA) with the sophisticated systems that provide more detailed analysis of carry-on baggage.

Unlike conventional X-ray systems, aTiX captures multiple views of carry-on bags in a single sweep. The system also includes powerful software algorithms which help the operator to detect potentially harmful items. This software can be easily upgraded to detect evolving threats.

Stephen Phipson, Group Managing Director of Smiths Detection, said, "aTiX technology represents a major advance in checkpoint security, bringing greater threat detection accuracy while potentially reducing wait times for passengers. The systems have already proven very successful in UK airports."

Mark Laustra, Vice President of Homeland Security for Smiths Detection, said: "We are proud to be protecting the nation's capital with our innovative security checkpoint system."

Smiths Detection is a provider of threat detection systems with multiple technologies deployed at nearly 80 percent of the world's commercial airports.