Smiths Detection, part of the global technology business Smiths Group, announces that Lufthansa Cargo is acquiring 19 IONSCAN 500DT dual trace explosives detectors for all its U.S. airport locations. The advanced desktop detectors were recently placed on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)'s Qualified Products List (see also Smiths Detection).

Lufthansa Cargo is the first to deploy the newly qualified equipment for ground-to-air cargo screening in early accordance with the TSA rule requiring all cargo in passenger planes be screened by 2010. It recently announced the creation of new "security hubs" in Chicago and Los Angeles.

Stephen Phipson, Group Managing Director of Smiths Detection, said: "Our investment in R & D continues to drive technology developments in a broad range of screening solutions and this contract underlines how these advances are helping our customers implement the 100% cargo screening increasingly sought by authorities."

Smiths Detection's IONSCAN 500DT is a second generation system designed to replaces its proven IONSCAN400B predecessor that has been deployed at security screening stations all over the world. The 500DT can identify small amounts of explosives from a single sample in a matter of seconds.

Keywords: Smiths Detection, Air Safety, Cargo Security, Maritime Safety.

This article was prepared by Healthcare Finance, Tax & Law Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Healthcare Finance, Tax & Law Weekly via NewsRx.com.