Smiths Detection Business Provides Airport Security: Barringer's Enhanced Screening Technologies

5/9/2002

From: Cindy Schifano of Barringer, 908-222-9100, ext. 3031; Jennifer Villarreal of Smiths, 616-241-8643; Paula Darte of Perrin Darte & Assoc., 703-704-5135

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- Smiths Detection -- Barringer demonstrated its new walk-through explosives detection portal today, at a briefing held in Washington, D.C. This new portal closes an important security gap by making it possible to non-invasively screen people for the presence of an explosive device with the same technology currently used to screen luggage and freight.

The SENTINEL II walk-through portal can screen about seven people per minute for a variety of substances and can be used in facilities other than airports, such as office buildings, sports arenas and other highly trafficked areas. All of Smiths' detection devices use Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS), which performs a real time chemical analysis and essentially identifies a "fingerprint" of a target substance. That fingerprint is based on the unique rate of movement, or mobility, of a particular substance. The technology is so sensitive that even with a minute concentration of explosives, drug residue or a chemical agent on the skin or clothing, the substance will be detected.

"With the SENTINEL II, it is possible to screen people -- not just their bags -- with the most advanced explosives detection equipment available, said Ken Wood, president of Smiths Detection -- Barringer. "Given the reality of actual and potential suicide bombers, people must be screened thoroughly. The recent shoe bomber incident is just one example of the necessity to screen people using this technology. However, the traveling public expects screening to be quick and non-intrusive. The SENTINEL II solves all of these issues. This technology is proven, affordable and can be adapted to various setting and applications."

Other adaptations of the Company's technology were also demonstrated, including the new CENTURION, a real time, early warning system that detects and identifies the presence of airborne chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals that may be introduced to the air handling systems of buildings. The IONSCAN(r) Model 400B, presently in extensive use in U.S. airports to check carry on and checked baggage for the presence of explosives, is one of the key explosives detection instruments to be acquired by the Transportation Security Agency to address the requirement for 100 percent screening of checked baggage. Barringer's SABRE 2000, a hand-held scanner, makes this technology portable and is adaptable to situations where taking detection devices to remote locations is important, for example, to scan ships and boats. All of these devices were demonstrated at the Washington briefing.

"Given the world we now live in, the importance of this technology in combating terrorism beyond aviation security is apparent. Smiths Detection -- Barringer has established its reputation in numerous segments of security and law enforcement and is well situated to continue to provide technology to address other mission areas such as spot-checking ships and cargo, screening entire fleets of trucks, and screening packages in mailrooms. The technology is extremely well-proven and its adaptation to even more settings makes sense," said Wood.

Sandia National Labs developed and licensed to Barringer Instruments the sample preconcentrator used in the SENTINEL II. The technology efficiently traps the target particles and vapors from a large airflow, which are then directed to Barringer's IONSCAN(r) detector for analysis. Sandia is a multi-program Department of Energy laboratory operated by Lockheed Martin Corporation. With main facilities in Albuquerque, N.M. and Livermore, Calif., Sandia has research and development programs contributing to national security, energy and environmental technologies and economic competitiveness.

Headquartered in Warren, N.J., Smiths Detection -- Barringer, a part of Smiths Aerospace, is the world leading developer and producer of trace detection equipment, producing screening technologies and devices that detect explosives, narcotics, chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals and other substances for security and industrial applications. The business also operates from facilities in Toronto, the UK, France and Malaysia.

Smiths Aerospace is the leading transatlantic aerospace equipment company, with half its 12,000 staff and $2 billion revenues in North America. Smiths Aerospace, a part of Smiths Group plc, holds key positions in the supply chains of all major military and civil aircraft and engine manufacturers and is world-leader in electronic systems, actuation systems, precision components and detection & protection systems.