Explosives detectionHomemade Explosive Characterization Program helps keep Americans safe
Each day almost two million Americans travel on commercial aviation domestically and internationally, and in addition tens of millions use America’s mass transit systems. In recent months, several significant plots to take down commercial aircraft and attack public spaces have been thwarted due to the mitigation efforts of law enforcement and government counter terrorism agencies across the globe. The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) says it is at the forefront of the response to, and mitigation against, such plots against the homeland.
Each day almost two million Americans travel on commercial aviation domestically and internationally, and in addition tens of millions use America’s mass transit systems. In recent months, several significant plots to take down commercial aircraft and attack public spaces have been thwarted due to the mitigation efforts of law enforcement and government counter terrorism agencies across the globe. In August of 2017 Australian Police uncovered a plot to use explosives to bring down an Etihad Airways flight from Sydney. Throughout 2016 and 2017 there have been major bombings in Istanbul, Paris, Brussels and Manchester targeting airports, mass transit systems, concerts and other public venues. In addition, there have been dozens of foiled attempts by our adversaries to kill Americans and their allies as they travel, work and go about their daily lives. The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) says it is at the forefront of the response to, and mitigation against, such plots against the homeland.
S&T says that DHS S&T’s Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA), Explosives Division’s Homemade Explosives (HME) Characterization Program directly addresses this threat environment by providing mission critical data collection, measurement of physical properties of threat materials, risk mitigation and modeling, and support for first responders against the terrorist threat. In fact, the explosive detection signatures data used by algorithms for the machines at the screening checkpoints at the airport were developed through the HME Program to keep the traveling public safe. S&T’s HME Program has taken a leading role in several rapid responses regarding intelligence about terror plots and in the aftermath of successful terror attacks. Specifically, following the Australia plot the HME Program transitioned data to TSA which allowed them to enhance their mitigation strategies.
“The HSARPA HME Characterization Program is a key partner in assisting TSA to leverage screening technologies to their fullest potential in mitigating the highest and most credible threats to aviation,” noted a TSA Senior Advisor Domenic Bianchini.
