Morpho Detection wins 4th TSA order for explosives trace detection system

MORPHO DETECTION Inc., a part of the Safran group's security business Morpho, has received a delivery order from the US Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for more than 1,200 next-generation, Itemiser DX desktop explosives trace detection (ETD) systems.

Valued at more than US$32 million, this marks the fourth delivery order awarded under the Itemiser DX(r) Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) base contract with TSA. This brings the total number of Itemiser DX units purchased by TSA to more than 2,800 for a total value of around $80 million.

These desktop explosives trace detection units will be used at US airport checkpoints and for airport baggage and cargo screening.

Morpho Detection's Itemiser DX is said to be the first trace detector in the world to simultaneously detect positive and negative ions. Simultaneous detection enables the Itemiser DX to detect a broad range of explosives that meet current market threats, said a report by The Centre Daily Times.

"We are very pleased by the confidence TSA has demonstrated in Itemiser DX's ability to help protect air travel across the US," said Dennis Cooke, president and CEO of Morpho Detection, Inc. "We are confident in Itemiser DX' ability to deliver the most advanced explosives detection possible to checkpoint, air cargo and checked bag screening at the nation's airports."

Placed on TSA's Qualified Products List for checkpoint and cargo screening in March 2009, the Itemiser DX is one of the next-generation explosives detection solutions used at US airports.

This lightweight, effective and user-friendly detection unit has also been certified for use outside the US by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, the United Kingdom Department for Transport, the UK Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB), and is said to be pending certification for use in other countries.

In addition to use by TSA at US airports, the Itemiser DX is available in a commercial version to protect transportation, industrial and high-risk facilities and locations around the world. "It is the ideal complement to CT-based CTX 5800 and 9800 explosives detection systems for break-bulk and larger air cargo screening," the report said.

Morpho Detection is a supplier of explosives, narcotics, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear detection systems for government, military, air and ground transportation, first responder, critical infrastructure and other high-risk organisations.
(Source:www.schednet.com)