The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has ordered new X-ray systems for carry-on items at airport checkpoints, a news release said.
The agency placed two orders, totaling $781.2 million, from a company called Analogic for the purchase and maintenance of Computed Tomography (CT) X-ray systems, the news release said.
“These awards are another important step in enhancing aviation security” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement. “They provide our dedicated frontline officers with one of the best tools available to screen passenger carry-on items and also improves the passenger experience by allowing passengers to keep more items in their carry-on bags during the screening process.”
The contracts were part of a larger effort to improve checkpoint security screening, according to the TSA.
"CT scanners apply sophisticated algorithms to detect weapons, explosives and other prohibited items by creating 3-D images of carry-on items," the news release said. "TSA officers can then view and rotate the image on three axes to analyze and identify any threat items that may be in a passenger’s baggage. Similar to what is used to scan checked baggage, this equipment is sized to fit the checkpoint environment. Full-size CT systems feature fully automated screening lanes with parallel divestiture stations, automated bin return, and high-threat containment, to allow for greater passenger throughput."
