U.S. Policy & Strategy in the Age of Global Terrorism

The response of the U.S. federal government to the events of September 11, 2001 has reflected the challenge of striking a balance between implementing security measures to deter terrorist attacks while at the same time limiting disruption to air commerce. Airport and Aviation Security: U.S. Policy and Strategy in the Age of Global Terrorism by Dr. Bartholomew Elias is a comprehensive reference that examines the persistent threats to aviation security that led up to the terrorist attacks of September 11^th. It describes subsequent terror plots against aviation assets, and explores the U.S. response to counter and mitigate these threats. Beginning with a historical backdrop describing the dawn of the age of global terrorism in the 1960s and continuing up until the present time, the book demonstrates the broad social and political context underlying recent changes in the aviation security system as a direct result of the 9/11 attacks. Coverage examines ongoing threats and vulnerabilities to the aviation infrastructure, including an exploration of how past terrorist incidents have come to shape U.S. policy and strategy.

Watch Out for Your Wallet

KTVT-TV in Dallas reports that thieves are stealing at airport security checkpoints, in some instances the crimes are being caught on tape. It happens so fast that TSA officers miss seeing someone steal a personal item; like a wallet or jewelry. It's only afterwards that they sometime realize the theft was captured by a surveillance camera. Crimes of this nature have happened recently at Dallas/Fort Worth International. Jewelry, wallets, and laptops are the most common items stolen. TSA officials recommend that women pack their valuable jewelry in a carry-on bag, so they don't forget it in a bin, or have it taken. The agency also suggests putting a business card on your laptop computer.

Raytheon to Support US Airport Screening

Raytheon was awarded a task order to manage the integration of electronic baggage screening equipment at dozens of airports around the country. The task order was issued under the Transportation Security Administration's Security Equipment Integration Services contract. Raytheon is leading a team composed of Jacobs Engineering Group; CAGE; SRA International.; Alltech International Orion Management; URS; and Quatrotec. The contract concludes in August 2014. "We provide a nationwide workforce with deep aviation domain expertise and proven program management, systems integration and engineering analysis capabilities to this program of national interest," said Charles Keegan, Raytheon Technical Services Company's director of civil aviation solutions.

$3.2M for Checked Baggage Screening at BWI

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has awarded $3.2 million to Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) for enhancements to optimize their baggage handling systems. The award derived from fiscal 2009 funds will provide upgrades to the existing baggage systems by adding conveyor lines and constructing new spaces to perform screening. More than 20 million passengers travel through BWI each year.

Clerics Settle Lawsuit

Six Muslim clerics who were forced off a flight in Minneapolis amidst terrorist concerns have settled their lawsuit against an airport, airline and law enforcement agency. They called the settlement, which must be approved by a federal judge to take effect, a victory. The airport said it has not changed any policies as a result of the settlement, which it said it agreed to in order to save the expense of a trial. "It is not an admission of guilt," said a spokesman for Minneapolis-St. Paul International. Also sued were an FBI agent and US Airways. The clerics were removed from a US Airways flight on Nov. 20, 2006, after a passenger told a flight attendant that the six men had been praying loudly and cursing U.S. policies in Iraq before boarding the aircraft. Once on board, the men took separate seats in the cabin's front, middle and back. Authorities eventually determined the clerics were not a threat and they took a different flight home.

Reveal to Develop Personnel Inspection System

Reveal Imaging Technologies has signed a contract valued at $3.9 million to develop a personnel inspection system for the Department of Homeland Security. The three-phase contract includes a feasibility study, algorithm development and performance testing of a prototype multi-technology, automated personnel inspection system.

Reveal believes multiple sensor technologies will result in enhanced performance and increased security in this application. To date, this has presented a challenge since existing personnel screening systems require operators to interrogate detailed images in order to discern threats from innocuous objects. In addition, operators must currently monitor multiple displays in order to view data from different sensor technologies.

"Reveal has had outstanding success developing sensors and improving detection performance by using decision fusion when high detection and low false alarm rates are required," said Michael Ellenbogen, president and CEO of Reveal. "We plan to apply this expertise to develop an automated, multi-sensor screening system that will greatly reduce the reliance on operator image interpretation. "

Reveal plans to combine two orthogonal technologies, broadband acoustic sensors and broadband active millimeter wave (MMW) sensors, to create a unique screening system.

The acoustic imaging sensors are capable of detecting certain material properties, while MMW sensors measure other material properties. By combining the two technologies, enhanced system performance can be achieved as compared to using either technology alone, thereby reaching the goal of improving detection and reducing false alarm rates.