Question

Do you believe the new AIT deployed to U.S. commercial service airports by the TSA over the next few years will adequately address the threats that continue to emerge in aviation security? support your position with relevant citations from juried literature of 300 words

Answer 1

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is dedicated to protecting our Nation’s transportation systems and safeguarding the travelling public. We face an adaptive adversary who seeks vulnerabilities in our system and, as a result, TSA must employ new methods to stay ahead of evolving threats. Security technologies, such as Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), are a critical part of this effort. Responding to the need to reliably detect explosives, bomb-making components, and other potential security threats concealed by airline passengers, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has focused on the deployment of whole body scanners as a core element of its strategy for airport checkpoint screening.   The fundamental challenge of protecting passengers and transportation networks against an act of terrorism is a constantly changing, unpredictable threat environment. TSA knows that terrorists seek to exploit our weaknesses. We also know that terrorists attempt to adapt to the security measures we put into place. A static, fortress-like defense is not the answer. While we apply what we learn from intelligence, from attacks of the past, and from other lessons learned around the world, we understand that terrorist activity is fundamentally not predictable in a statistical or actuarial way. We must, therefore, anticipate the unexpected. Our security approach must reflect the principles of flexibility, adaptability, and innovation.

A body scanner, also referred to as Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), is being used to screen passengers departing airports for metallic and non-metallic items including weapons, explosives and other objects that can be concealed in layers of clothing. Every AIT unit operated by TSA is equipped with automated target recognition software, which is designed to enhance passenger privacy by creating a generic, computer-generated outline that is identical for all travelers. If the body scanner detects a concealed item on the traveler or any anomaly during the scan, a yellow box appears on the generic outline. This box identifies where on the passenger the TSA officer needs to conduct any follow-up screening. The AIT unit is equipped with millimeter wave technology, which uses harmless electromagnetic waves to perform a single scan of the passenger. The technology meets all known national and international health and safety standards; the energy emitted by millimeter wave technology is 1,000 times less than the international limits and guidelines. Because the body scanner is not a metal detector, many passengers who have had metal hip or knee replacements prefer to be screened by AIT. In addition, the AIT machine does not use X-ray technology and it does not generate X-ray specific images of any traveler. AIT screening is optional for all passengers. Passengers who do not wish to utilize this screening technology will receive alternative screening, including a physical pat-down. TSA employs two types of imaging technology, millimeter wave and backscatter. Millimeter wave AIT uses non-ionizing radio frequency energy in the millimeter wave spectrum to generate a three-dimensional image of the body based on the energy reflected from the body. The image, which resembles a fuzzy photo negative with facial features blurred for privacy, is displayed on a remote monitor for analysis to determine whether potential threats are present. The energy projected by millimeter wave technology is thousands of times less than a cell phone transmission. Backscatter AIT uses a narrow, low-energy x-ray beam that scans the surface of the body at a high speed. The machine then generates an image resembling a chalk etching with a privacy filter applied to the entire body. The image is displayed on a remote monitor for analysis to determine whether objects are present.

Based upon the latest intelligence and after studying all available technologies, the TSA has concluded AIT is the most effective method to detect threat items concealed on passengers while maintaining efficient checkpoint screening operations. As TSA explores new technologies for improving efficiency and security of the aviation security space, those on the forefront of research and development can help identify unique and advanced methods to combat terrorism. TSA is striving for a more open, secure, and inter-operable architecture that will increase automation and integration. This involves designing a true systematic approach, optimizing open technology platforms to encourage agile capability upgrades, and integrating real-time risk information and data sharing. Such an architecture will allow TSA to continually realign capabilities to maximize effectiveness across the entire aviation security spectrum. The ultimate objective is to re-engineer aviation security from top to bottom with a continued focus on increasing security throughout the system.