On-Person Detection/Next Gen Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT)

What this funds

The On-Person Detection/Next Gen Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) initiative will conduct R&D activities to develop, demonstrate, and, eventually, acquire modularized in-motion passenger screening systems to improve security effectiveness and operational efficiency, specifically On- Person Screening (OPS).The FY 2027 Budget includes $3.0M to support research, testing, and development of advanced Next-Gen OPS systems. The OPS Capability Program will test and evaluate solutions, demonstrate proofs of concept, and update technical requirements to advance critical capabilities, reduce false alarms, and reduce passenger pat-downs. The funding will support various activities, including analyzing Targeted Broad Agency Announcement (T-BAA) submissions, performing in-depth reviews and testing of enhanced detection capabilities, and developing prototypes to inform future procurement and deployment requests. Strategic Support will provide critical R&D contributions through strategic planning, capability roadmap support, operational and mission risk management, and technology design, integration, and demonstration assistance. This investment is essential for improving detection performance, reducing staffing requirements, and enhancing the passenger experience. Justification The OPS Capability Program will deliver significant, high-impact advanced capabilities by upgrading existing screening systems and leveraging new technologies. This modernization will address the limitations of the current AIT and Walk-Through Metal Detector (WTMD) machines, which are approaching technical obsolescence and unable to adapt to the evolving threat landscape. The initiative will assess and demonstrate solutions from commercial and government sources, identifying viable walk-through/in-motion metallic and non-metallic passenger screening systems for potential fleet-wide replacement. Additionally, the development of a footwear scanner system for potential use in advanced AIT systems will be prioritized. The initiative will focus on strategic capabilities such as reduced divestiture, enhanced threat detection, procedural enhancements, secure data transmission in an open architecture environment, touchless resolution of alarms, and limited mobility screening. TSA - R&D - 10 Research and Development On-Person Detection/NextGen Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) These capabilities will improve the detection of threats during checkpoint screening and inspections, support more accurate and efficient identification of explosive, non-explosive, and potentially Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threats, and contribute to the development and acquisition of more advanced technologies. The initiative will also support information-driven operations and enhance risk-based security through more effective detection and information sharing. Overall, these efforts will provide a more streamlined and effective security screening process, ensuring TSA is better prepared to address evolving threats.

Extracted from Transportation Security Administration, p. 6. Verbatim; nothing here is paraphrased.

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