BILLERICA, Mass., 11 Feb. 2007. American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E), maker of x-ray detection technology, has received a contract from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) for its second-generation Z Portal system for drive-through cargo and vehicle screening.

Configured with proprietary three-sided Z Backscatter imaging, the Z Portal will be deployed at a security checkpoint to inspect for threats and contraband at a strategic DOD facility. This award marks the U.S. DOD's first Z Portal system.

Anthony Fabiano, president and CEO, says: "With broad applications for military facility and force protection, Z Portal offers a high-throughput drive-through screening system to detect threats and contraband in cargo and vehicles. The Z Portal can scan vehicles and cargo in real-time, resulting in rapid screening and threat analysis. The system's proprietary Z Backscatter technology produces photo-like images from three sides of the cargo -- left, right, and top-down -- to provide the DOD with maximum inspection capability to secure this vital checkpoint."