BILLERICA, Mass., 14 Jan. 2008. American Science and Engineering Inc., a leader in X-ray detection technology, announced the receipt of a multimillion dollar order for the OmniView Gantry system and the Z Backscatter Van (ZBV) from its local distributor in Italy, AUS.TECH S.p.A.

The systems will be deployed to inspect cargo and vehicles entering a major, high-volume Italian port. For maximum threat detection capability, the OmniView Gantry combines 6.0 MeV high-energy transmission with three Z Backscatter imaging modules (left, right, and top-view). This combination of technologies delivers the most reliable means of detecting contraband and threatening materials, such as weapons and explosives hidden in cargo containers, tankers, and vehicles.

"We are very pleased to receive our first order from a major Italian port for the OmniView Gantry and the ZBV," says Anthony Fabiano, president and CEO. "These systems will operate within a total security protocol for the port — the OmniView Gantry will be used to inspect incoming containers, while the highly mobile and versatile ZBV will be used by port officials to perform rapid inspections of suspect vehicles. The OmniView Gantry's high-penetration capability will enable the port to inspect dense and complex cargo while the ZBV will facilitate flexible mobile screening to secure the vicinity around the port."

The OmniView Gantry System is the only multiview relocatable system available that combines 6 MeV high-energy transmission inspection plus three Z Backscatter X-ray views. OmniView Gantry provides high penetration into inspected objects — up to 14 inches (350 mm) of steel — yet the system does not require an exterior building or heavy shielding. The OmniView Gantry System's scanning platform operates by moving on rails past stationary vehicles and cargo. The system is bi-directional allowing for a high throughput of cargo and vehicles.

AS&E's Z Backscatter Van is a low-cost, highly maneuverable screening system built into a commercially available delivery van. The ZBV employs AS&E's patented Z Backscatter technology, which reveals contraband that transmission X-rays miss — such as explosives and plastic weapons — and provides photo-like imaging for rapid analysis. The ZBV is capable of immediate deployment in response to security threats, and features a high throughput capacity to facilitate rapid inspections. The system's unique "drive-by" capability allows one or two operators to conduct X-ray imaging of suspect vehicles and objects as the ZBV drives past.