Sep. 21, 2009 (Business Wire) -- American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E®) (NASDAQ: ASEI), a leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray detection solutions, announced today the introduction of the MobileSearch™ High-Energy (HE) cargo and vehicle inspection system with both high-energy transmission and proprietary Z Backscatter X-ray imaging for detecting threats and contraband including weapons, explosives, drugs, and currency. For added flexibility, the system offers multiple scan modes for high speed scanning of passenger vehicles or oversized or odd-shaped cargo, allowing the operational flexibility of the Z BackscatterTM Van — in either “drive-by” mode to scan stationary objects, or “portal” mode to scan vehicles as they drive past the system. MobileSearch HE also features a unique integrated cab design that enables the drivers and operators to be in the same spacious cabin for improved communications and comfort.
“MobileSearch HE provides the industry’s most versatile and effective mobile scanning system on the market,” said Robert Postle, AS&E’s Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing. “The system’s combination of transmission and Z Backscatter X-ray technologies provides superior imaging and displays the most information about the contents of the cargo. With its multiple scan modes, the system offers the flexibility and the photo-like imaging of our top selling Z Backscatter Van, making it ideal for a wide range of applications.”
MobileSearch HE is ideal for homeland security and drug interception missions at seaports, border crossings, and other high threat checkpoints. The system offers the largest tunnel size in the industry, allowing for the inspection of oversize cargo and vehicles. MobileSearch HE can travel on roads and at highway speeds.
AS&E’s Patented Z Backscatter Technology plus High-Energy Transmission
MobileSearch HE offers two complementary imaging technologies integrated in one system. Its 4.5 MeV high energy transmission X-ray generates high penetration and high resolution images for the inspection of densely loaded cargo, with typical penetration over 12 inches (300 mm) of steel. The system also utilizes Z Backscatter X-ray imaging to assist in the identification of organics for improved detection of threats and contraband. Z Backscatter technology offers the additional benefits of photo-like images and improved image analysis time, as well as a wide field of view with no tire or ground cutoff unlike transmission X-rays — allowing for the effective scanning of passenger vehicles and tires.
Flexibile Scan Modes
MobileSearch HE offers multiple scan modes for added flexibility. During normal operations, MobileSearch HE scans over stationary vehicles and cargo with both transmission and Z Backscatter imaging with the boom deployed.
