A $26.7 million follow-on order from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for additional advanced threat identification X-ray (aTiX) systems, which will be deployed at airports across the US, has been award to Smiths Detection.

This is the third order from the TSA, following an initial contract for $21 million in October 2007 and a $25.2 million order in June 2008.

Unlike conventional X-ray technology, aTiX systems capture multiple views of carry-on bags in a single sweep in the same throughput time as existing systems. Using advanced software algorithms, they are able to alert the operator to potentially harmful items. The software is easily upgraded as new threats emerge.

“This is another significant win for aTiX, which is now helping enhance security in airports across both the US and the EU,” says Stephen Phipson, group managing director of Smiths Detection.

Smiths Detection is the world’s leading provider of threat detection systems with multiple technologies deployed in around 80% of the world’s commercial airports.