Aviation Security
The threat of a terrorist attack at a major airport is a primary concern for security officials worldwide. Therefore, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) is a FLIR customer. Fido PaxPoint, as an example, is deployed at several airports around the country. Fido PaxPoint is extremely light and mobile, and was designed to detect chemicals made in homemade bombs without disrupting people’s transit with delays.
However, a terrorist working alone, or in concert with others poses a credible threat to public safety beyond the security checkpoints inside the terminal. These new threats include the entire airport complex and perimeter, requiring a new multilayered approach to airport security.
With such a wide area to protect, the threat of a surface to air missile, mortar or other weapon of mass destruction, taking down an aircraft and destroying a sub-staging area or air traffic control tower, is credible. Such a devastating act would have a catastrophic impact on the travel industry, and the economy as a whole. The flight line, airport complex, and maintenance and sub-staging areas present a security concern that cannot be countered with traditional security measures alone.
FLIR offers integrated wide area surveillance solutions that meet airport facility and perimeter security requirements. FLIR ground radar can quickly detect and track vehicles or pedestrians at various distances ranging up to 12 kilometers, while the combined thermal/CCTV cameras immediately provide a visual confirmation of the threat. Advanced FLIR control software processes intruder location data from the sensors and then sounds the alarm for the operator. The software also automatically commands the relevant cameras to focus on the intruder, allowing the operator to assess the threat level. Infrared imaging offers an added level of visibility, enabling the operator to see in adverse conditions including total darkness, smoke, haze and fog. The low false-alarm rates, ease of use and interoperability with legacy cameras make this solution operationally attractive and cost-effective.
Cargo Screening Initiative
Explosive Trace Detector Lease Summary Program
The Congressional mandate for cargo screening requires that 50% of all cargo traveling on passenger jets must be screened by February, 2009, and 100% of all air cargo by August 2010. Those participants in the shipping supply chain – manufacturers, freight forwarders, etc. – may all have a role to play in the screening process. The screening of break bulk and palletized cargo for trace amounts of explosives using resources such as canine teams and x-rays is not fiscally or operationally reasonable for all sizes of shippers.
The Fido XT Explosive Trace Detector (ETD) is currently part of the TSA evaluation process for shipping organizations pursuing CCSF certification via ETD screening. Fido XT is the most cost-effective cargo screening solution for small and mid-market shipping partners. The Fido XT is an extremely sensitive handheld detector which allows an operator to quickly examine a package for minute amounts of explosives contamination. It offers canine-comparable performance, a low cost of ownership, very little maintenance and extreme portability. Since the Fido does not contain any radioactive materials, it does not require the regulatory paperwork associated with the radiation sources of other ETDs under evaluation by the TSA for cargo screening.
As the TSA proceeds with the establishment of its Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP), and continues with the evaluation and qualification of screening technologies for cargo, ICx is offering a special lease rate option for those members of the shipping community seeking screening solutions which are suitable for their market. In addition to risk reduction, leasing can usually be deducted as business expenses on tax returns. For more details, contact Michael Moore, Aviation Account Manager, at 1.703.624.5634 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1.703.624.5634 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or via e-mail at michael.moore@icxt.com.
Representative Examples
Houston Airport System
The Houston Airport System in Houston, TX, is an example of an integration of radars and real-time communications. FLIR has installed several long- and short-range radars as part of the Houston Airport System’s Perimeter Intrusion Detection System. The linked STS-350 and STS-12000 radars extend the facility’s perimeter for complete wide-area surveillance. The deployed system provides automated detection, tracking and classification of intruders, vehicles and low-flying aircraft. This information is communicated to the command post in real time for response determination. The Houston Airport System encompasses the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the William P. Hobby Airport and Ellington Field.