The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has selected a team led by Lockheed Martin to develop enhancements for certified explosives detection systems (EDS) in U.S. airports.

Funded by a $5.3 million cooperative agreement grant from the TSA under its Phoenix Project, Lockheed Martin's team, which includes Analogic Corporation of Peabody, MA, is focusing its research on three areas: increasing machine throughput, improving efficiency, and enhancing current EDS threat detection capabilities.

The Phoenix Project is intended to advance baggage-screening technology for aviation by executing upgrades for deployed EDS equipment currently used to scan checked luggage. The cooperative agreement funding approved by the TSA includes designing and developing technology enhancements to existing EDS machines.

"This is a vital TSA homeland security project," said Lockheed Martin Distribution Technologies President Judy Marks. "Our goal is to apply the most sophisticated technology available to assist TSA in enhancing the safety and security of air travel, improving customer service and increasing the efficiency of the baggage screening process."

The grant covers four phases of a planned five-phase initiative. The first two phases, preliminary and critical design stages, are completed. Phase III involves a system development stage that is scheduled to conclude this month. Phase IV includes test and evaluation, followed by a field test, which is Phase V. Funding for Phase V is contingent on successful completion of the first four phases.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin