Smiths Detection’s long-term Spanish distributor TECOSA has secured the company’s largest-ever single order of hold baggage security (HBS) scanners.

TECOSA won a contract with Aena that was worth more than £128 million. As a result, the Smiths Detection ECAC Standard 3 approved explosives detection systems will be deployed in five international airports across Spain.

The HI-SCAN 10080 XCT is TSA 7.2 certified. Having also achieved Standard 3.1 approval (the highest defined security standard in the EU), the HI-SCAN 10080 XCT exceeds regulatory requirements. Smiths Detection is already working towards Standard 3.2.

Using a dual-view, dual-energy line scanner with high-resolution 3D Computed Tomography (CT) to deliver exceptional levels of security with an efficient low false alarm rate, the HI-SCAN 10080 XCT can be further updated as necessary to detect evolving future threats.

Aena is the world’s number one airport operator, handling over 280 million annual passengers in 2018 (Spanish airports and Luton), as well as managing 46 Spanish airports and 2 heliports.

The new equipment will be installed at Aena’s key Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat, Malaga-Costa del Sol, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, Palma de Mallorca and Gran Canaria airports.

Along with the Standard 3.1 approved scanners are fully redundant matrix servers, extensive data storage and an Unaccompanied Baggage Inspection (UBI) module. UBI eliminates the time-consuming and costly process of unloading luggage belonging to no-show passengers. The contract also includes HI-SCAN 100100V-2is screening systems for out-of-gauge baggage, plus an associated seven year service agreement.

Smiths Detection Europe and Africa vice-present Tony Tielen said: “In addition to product quality, other important factors in winning this competitive tender included operational efficiency, comprehensive networking capabilities and Smiths Detection’s extensive experience in large global projects.

“Our successful track record in installing, integrating and networking a large number of screening systems was clearly verified by customer references. With this new order, we will have helped 50 airports worldwide to upgrade to Standard 3 and installed around 500 advanced and approved systems.”