Transportation 1 Security Administration Transportation
TSA Office of Security Technologies (CTO) Portal Explosive Detection Development Robert Pryor Operational Integration Division
Domain Awareness What are we trying to protect? People Cargo (checked and carry-on baggage and commercial shipments) Conveyance Facilities What are we trying to protect against? Explosives Radiological/Nuclear Weapons Unauthorized Access Chemical/Biological/Agents
Checkpoint: People Metal Detection Deployment of 1760 enhanced walk through metal detectors Qualification testing and standards for WTMD and HAMD Pat Down Search Resolution of metal detector alarms ETD Random sampling
Current Checkpoint Operations The following equipment is currently deployed to support checkpoint operations throughout the country: 1733 Enhanced Walk Through Metal Detectors (EWTMD) 1392 Threat Image Projection (TIP) ready X-ray machines (total system replacement of 1750 anticipated by the end of April 04) 1219 Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) Units to support checkpoint screening
Material characteristics of explosives Density Higher density than many organic materials Higher density has a purpose for blast performance Elemental composition Nitrogen- and oxygen-rich Specific molecules/chemicals/crystal structure RDX, PETN, TNT, AN, NC, etc. Dielectric, THz response Microscopic structure/texture
Next Generation Passenger Screening Imaging Systems Explosives & Weapons X-ray backscatter MM wave Trace Detection Explosives Walk through portal Document & Shoe screening
Suicide bombers Trace Explosive Residue Detection Dielectrometry Possibly adequate detection without imaging Millimeter wave Adequate imaging for non-aviation suicide bombers Terahertz May be required for spectroscopic information Further research required Aviation has more difficult issues with weapons detection CONOPS for suicide bombers? Stand-off vs portal?
Explosives and Weapons Detection Bulk and Trace Programs Bulk Trace
Trace Detection C-4 particle on cloth at 400X Trace Program: Explosives Chemical Agents Biological Agents Vapor molecule of TNT
EXPLOSIVE TRACE DETECTORS Can detect & identify microscopic amounts of explosive material Used for detection of the explosive component of an IED Used in conjunction with X-Ray and physical search to provide an additional layer of security ETD alarm does not necessarily mean there is an IED in the bag Passenger carrying certain medications Fertilizers/high nitrogen levels
Deployed Trace Detectors BARRINGER Technology - Ion Mobility Spectrometry Approved models - IonScan Models 400 and 400B IONTRACK Technology - Ion Mobility Spectrometry Approved models - Itemizer-DOS & Itemizer-W THERMODETECTION Technology - GC/Chemiluminescense Approved models - EGIS Models 3000 & II
ION MOBILITY SPECTROSCOPY (IMS) Substrate heated to vaporize particles Molecules are ionized by a weak radioactive source and drift through a weak electric field Particle time of flight is a distinct fingerprint, enabling detection Applications: Explosives detection on both luggage and people Detection of narcotics Detection of narcotics Technical Barriers: Dependent on screener sampling Susceptible to atmospheric changes Calibration requirements Saturation possible
Static Trace Portal Purpose: Demonstrate a means to inspect passengers for concealed explosives using an automated, non-contact trace detector. Technical Approach: OID surveyed and modeled operations OID conducted pilot testing with STP-1 s FY04 Outcome: Explosive detection for 3+ categories < 10% to >80%: Detects Reed Bomb Conops / Data
Bulk Detection of Explosives, Weapons, Nuclear NQR Radar
Passenger Screening Millimeter wave (MMW), Tera-Hertz (THz) Passive vs. active systems X-ray Backscatter Developing automated detection of explosives and weapons Must ensure privacy
Facts About X-ray Backscatter Very effective for finding threats and contraband Metallic and Non-Metallic Weapons IEDs Explosives Drugs It is very safe Privacy Issue can be addressed Physical separation Software Primary use today: Prisons and High Security Facilities Applications for Transportation Security if Privacy is addressed
Why Backscatter? Maximum Detection of Potential Threats Metallic and Non-metallic Weapons IEDs Explosives Drugs Different kind of technology Metal Detectors Trace Detection Systems Millimeter Wave (or Terahertz) Imaging Demonstrated Effectiveness Proven in Field Can be used as Primary or Secondary Screener
AS&E s BodySearch
Software Enhancements for Privacy Many ways to tackle issue Color enhancement of threats Image obfuscation Magnifying and clarify threats Threats positioned on 3-D animated model Threats positioned on 2-D stick figure Outline Extraction Feature Extraction
Image Processing for XRBS Images
Magnifying Glass Silhouette Display
Millimeter-wave Imaging
Systems Engineering Imaging capability Automated threat detection Countermeasures False alarm rate Speed (automated vs screener) Physical (size, weight) Power requirements Electromagnetic compatibility Displays and controls Access/security Power-up/down/recovery time CONOPS Alarm resolution processes Data recording and reporting Networking Unit/Installation/Operational cost Quality assurance/calibration Configuration management Reliability, Availability, Maintainability Logistic supportability Transportability Human factors/threat image projection/training Safety/Environmental Documentation Testing
Transportation 1 Security Administration Transportation