WE X-RAY BAGS, WE X-RAY PALLETS, WE X-RAY TRUCKS: SO WHY NOT X-RAY PLANES?

摘要

Technological development is vital to ensuring that we stay one step ahead of the terrorist. The value of human factors cannot be underestimated, but actual inspections, both routine and when concern has been raised, will almost always be effected using screening equipment and/or animal olfactory techniques. At present, whilst the public face of aviation security is the screening checkpoint, we must face up to the fact that our greatest vulnerability now Fies in other areas of our operation. Frequent reports of incidents based on porous airport perimeters, the insider terrorist threat, airside criminal activity and daily bomb threats all illustrate the need for countermeasures to protect the epicentre of activity - the aircraft itself. Physical searches can be attempted, but our reach is limited; canine teams can be deployed, but the range of prohibited items we are looking for is vast. So how can we inspect aircraft speedily and detect items which vary hugely in terms of size, shape and organic nature? How can we identify potential stowaways at the same time as concealed narcotics and an improvised explosive device at the same time as prohibited consignments? One possible solution is the Roboscan AERIA.