The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has purchased the QinetiQ SPO threat detection system as part of a package of measures that will bring enhanced security technology to travelers in the United States. The TSA has purchased 12 SPO units under an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract that allows for additional purchases over the next two years. The agreement follows recent operational trials of SPO technology at the Staten Island ferry terminal and Pier 90 in New York City.

The SPO units are cameras that use advanced millimeter-wave technology combined with sophisticated software algorithms to screen people one at a time. The technology detects and measures the waves naturally emitted by the human body and determines if there are any ‘cold’ objects, such as metals, plastics and ceramics concealed under a person's clothing. Suspicious objects trigger a red light on the display monitor, prompting the operator to search the individual.

The system is particularly applicable to busy environments because it can detect concealed threats that might be explosive devices from many meters away and without asking passengers to slow their pace.

Graham Love, group chief executive of QinetiQ, commented, "We are delighted SPO technology has been selected to contribute to the security of travelers in the United States. The contract with the TSA is a great example of the synergies that have been made possible through the development of QinetiQ North America, and we expect to see further significant deployments of this and other QinetiQ security technologies to worldwide markets in the future."