TSA Deploys QinetiQ North America Technology During Political Conventions

  • Sep 26, 2008

QinetiQ North America's Technology Solutions Group recently announced the Transportation Security Administration deployed its new mass transit security solution at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to enhance security measures surrounding the Republican National Convention.

TSA used QinetiQ North America's millimeter wave, passive stand-off detection solution -- called "SPO Technology" -- to scan for weapons and explosive materials in and near the airport. SPO Technology has already proven successful in both air and surface transport use. TSA, for the very first time operationally, deployed this new threat technology solution at the Denver International Airport during the Democratic National Convention.

"TSA is committed to providing technologies and solutions that make this country safe for travel, and we're honored that they have turned to QinetiQ North America to help them," said Dr. William Ribich, president of the technology solutions group at QinetiQ North America. "SPO technology is a perfect example of how complex challenges can be met with innovative, trusted solutions."

SPO has the ability to scan moving people -- even those who are not in line -- within one second before or after they enter a transit area and have been singled out as a potential threat. It can detect concealed weapons or explosives without patting down passengers, opening bags or showing revealing body images.

"With SPO Technology, public safety is protected while we achieve scanning rates up to 45 times faster than competing technologies -- all while preserving individual privacy," Ribich said.

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