Explosives Detection Gaps - Aviation Security Vulnerabilities to Terrorist Attacks

CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Explosives detection gaps at airports create vulnerabilities for aviation security. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintains a vital role in aviation security by selecting which explosives detection equipment is deployed at airport security checkpoints and used for screening checked luggage.

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Detection limitations for explosives detection equipment deployed at airports require extra attention. Given the wide variety and forms of explosives and compounds being used in terrorist attacks, deploying layered and alternative technologies to ensure all threat explosives are detectable is needed to enhance aviation security and reduce our exposure to terrorist attacks involving explosives devices.

As part of the DHS response to the "Christmas Day Terrorist Attack" on-board Northwest flight 253, TSA is deploying full body scanners. Full body scanners include backscatter, x-ray, and millimeter wave technology each of which have challenges associated with explosive detection. Full body scanners have a place in airport security applications, but they should not be perceived as the single "must have" solution for enhancing aviation security and closing explosive detection gaps.

To effectively enhance aviation security and close explosives detection gaps, we must first acknowledge that terrorists are strategic and many are well educated. Terrorists are trained to understand security gaps and they are quick to exploit technology limitations. Here are some hard facts to consider, and questions to ask your elected officials serving on the Senate Homeland Security Committee and House Homeland Security Committee:

Curbside terrorist attacks at airports utilizing vehicle borne improvised explosives devices (VBIED), or improvised explosives devices (IED) detonated inside trash receptacles before security checkpoints, or person borne improvised explosives devices (PBIED), aka suicide bombers, detonating their devices at airport ticket counters or crowded security checkpoints are airport security threats that require aggressive proactive security initiatives.

What is being done to counter these IED threats?

What impact would any of these terrorist attacks or a combination of these terrorist attacks have on the aviation sector, or the US economy, or the re-election of elected officials if these attacks occur within their state or district under their watch?

Elected officials serving on the Senate and House Homeland Security committees are dedicated to closing security gaps and serving their constituents, though they need your help identifying security gaps before terrorists exploit them.

American Innovations, Inc.'s team of security experts understand IED threats and the consequences that could result by ignoring them. Educating those with a need to know about low cost and easy to implement proactive solutions that close security gaps and Counter IED threats are company priorities. American Innovations also helps eligible agencies identify unspent federal grants that cover the technologies and services they provide.

Explosive detection requirements for decades faced many challenges. Explosives detectors either provided limited explosive detection capability, or the explosives detectors being used could not operate as needed in the environments they were deployed. Additional challenges included lengthy warm-up time requirements for explosives detectors, making them impractical for field explosive detection missions. The need for a highly skilled team to keep explosives detectors functioning properly was an even bigger challenge.

With the American Innovations XD-2i Explosives Detector introduction in 2007, field explosive detection applications expanded. Domestic and foreign government agencies, military, and defense contractors using the XD-2i are achieving great success with their missions, regardless of operational environment or operator experience. User confidence is high, bomb maker networks are being penetrated, trace explosives residue is being detected from countless surfaces, and bulk samples are being rapidly analyzed too. The XD-2i explosives detectors reliably detect commercial, military, and homemade explosives (HME) in approximately 30 seconds or less.

At US airports, American Innovations explosives detectors complement K-9 teams as an explosives identification tool. The XD-2i can operate on AA batteries, making it truly portable, and without warm-up time or calibration it detects any known threat explosive off any surface and enables operators to identify what explosives have been detected. This instant on, rapid analysis capability makes these explosives detectors effective tools for many Counter IED initiatives including interdiction of VBIEDs, IEDs, and PBIEDs. The XD-2i is also used for Post Blast Investigations and Gun Shot Residue testing.

American Innovations has provided XD-2i training to TSA certified K-9 handlers, TSA Bomb Appraisal Officers and law enforcement assigned to US airports. As part of proactive public safety initiatives at airports and transit stations, American Innovations deploys their bomb resistant trash receptacles.

American Innovations, Inc. is honored to make positive contributions to airport security.

About us:

American Innovations, Inc. is a Homeland Security and Defense Contractor serving the public and private sectors since 1995, with specialization in explosives detection, weapons detection, and blast mitigation, among other security related initiatives, technology, and services. Call Today +1 845-371-3333.

SOURCE American Innovations, Inc.