The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has certified an explosives detection system (EDS) upgrade kit developed by Lockheed Martin as prime contractor and Analogic Corporation .

The upgrade kit was developed as part of TSA's Phoenix Project, and certification qualifies the equipment for additional funding toward projects that will enhance baggage detection systems at U.S. airports.

Achieving TSA certification on the Phoenix Project is an important accomplishment by Lockheed Martin and our development partner Analogic, and a vital upgrade program for our nation's air-traveling public," said Brian Tanton, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Distribution Technologies business. "Our team met stringent technical and testing requirements to deliver a solution that improves image clarity while reducing alarm rates."

"This solution offers airports an automated baggage handling system that has been integrated with Analogic's dual-energy computed tomography (CT) screening technology," said Analogic President and CEO John Wood. "Our industry-leading, CT-based system builds a crisp, colorized, three-dimensional image of the contents of a bag."

"Our enhanced detection system provides operators with easy-to-identify images, rather than two-dimensional, monochromatic images," Tanton said.

Certification coupled with System Qualification enables Lockheed Martin, as prime contractor, to negotiate with the TSA to deploy detection systems on a pilot basis and, upon successful completion of the pilot, enter into negotiations to supply production upgrade kits for screening systems already installed at U.S. airports. The two companies focused their research on three areas: automating the movement of bags, improving the throughput of bags being scanned, and reducing the false-alarm rates for the screening process.

About Analogic

Analogic Corporation, based in Peabody, MA, is a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced health and security systems and subsystems sold primarily to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

About Lockheed Martin

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.

   For additional information, visit our websites at:
   http://www.lockheedmartin.com/
   http://www.analogic.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin