Smiths Aerospace Security Systems

Smiths Aerospace is exhibiting a range of systems for improved airline security here, and has disclosed a $2 million order for its Ionscan brand trace explosives detectors from an unnamed major U.S. airline.

Ionscan detectors are produced by the Barringer unit of Smiths Detection and Protection Systems at facilities in New Jersey and Canada. The system is designed to be installed at the ticket counter, and is fast and simple enough in use to be used to screen 100% of baggage for trace quantities of explosives or chemical agents. More than 1,000 Ionscan systems are in use worldwide. The U.S. customer plans to install the Ionscan units at all its ticket counters across the country.

Smiths is showing its new Sentinel, a walk-through portal for the detection of explosives. Also developed by Barringer, it allows passengers to be routinely screened for explosives in a non-invasive manner.

The company's UK division is working on cabin video monitoring systems for commercial aircraft. Smiths is looking at a product that the user can set up for different applications, including cockpit door and full cabin surveillance, with or without crash-protected recording or direct video downlink.