Northrop Grumman Introduces New Vehicle Inspection Technology

May 24, 2005
Under vehicle inspection system adds a database that can be integrated with RFID or prox tags, license plate recognition and more

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has added a new product to its suite of security and traffic management solutions. The Under Vehicle Inspection System (UVIS) provides high-resolution color images, dynamic database search functions and user-friendly software for a safer and more thorough method of inspecting vehicle undercarriages.

Northrop Grumman's Information Technology (IT) sector designed UVIS as a tool to view the underside of a vehicle and scan for hidden contraband or explosives.

Features of the system include a camera that provides true-color images and up to 12-times image magnification. The bi-directional system rotates images of cars driving over the scanner from either direction and also has the functionality to perform trend analysis and generate history reports for every vehicle that has crossed the system. The "hit list" functionality automatically signals the user if a vehicle is on a criminal watch list.

User benefits of UVIS include a safe operating distance between the operator and the scanning device. The operator may stand up to 500 feet away from the unit and be connected through a single network cable, allowing for a safer inspection environment.

UVIS is a scalable network architecture that can be used as a stand-alone system or integrated with other security and access control devices such as additional cameras, automatic gates and barriers, radio frequency identification tag readers and Northrop Grumman IT's license plate reader, which captures license plate data.

"The Under Vehicle Inspection System, as a stand-alone system or integrated with additional vehicle-imaging technology, provides safety and efficiency anywhere vehicle inspection and identification are critical for operations," said Steve Cummings, vice president of Information Technology Solutions, Northrop Grumman IT.