Smiths’ IONSCAN 600 device approved for Air Cargo Screening Technology List

Smiths Detection’s IONSCAN 600 recently became the first trace explosives detection system to be approved on the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Air Cargo Screening Technology List (ACSTL) under its latest program requirements.

Developed to ensure security of cargo aboard airplanes, technologies approved by the ACSTL list require a significantly higher level of explosives detection capability and software functionality.

According to Smiths, the portable desktop IONSCAN 600 can detect minute quantities of explosives and illicit narcotics, such as fentanyl, within seconds. The fully operational device was designed for dynamic screening environments and comes with swappable batteries for continuous use.

“IONSCAN 600 becoming the first explosive trace detection system to make the ‘approved’ list for TSA’s ACSTL reflects Smiths Detection’s continued global leadership in aviation security technology,” Stephen Esposito, vice president of Business Development and Sales at Smiths Detection, said. “We are working with the TSA to complete testing to move IONSCAN 600 to the ‘qualified’ air cargo list and look forward to completing that process within the next year.”

First submitted for TSA testing in April, Smiths said the device would also be submitted for evaluation to be used for trace detection at U.S. airport checkpoints in the near future.

Smiths added that since the device was similar in operation to previous generations of trace detection systems, training on the new device would be minimized as cargo companies bring the new product into operation.