Aviation and Airport

Cory Lidle's death recalls similar historical events
Small planes crash into buildings far more often than one would expect; episodes at the Empire State Building, and in Tampa and Milan, show danger
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RFID suggested as solution for airport passenger tracking
A British research center is testing a method of attaching tracking devices to airline passengers; cards or tags, not implants, envisioned; system would be networked with cameras to provide comprehensive security awareness
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BearingPoint completes Irish e-passport project
Effort involved modifying existing Automated Passport System to accomodate facial recognition biometrics; project completed by 26 October U.S. visa waiver deadline
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New analytical technique for detecting liquid explosives
ASU professor set out to develop a more sensitive enzymatic detector for better management of diabetics, and realized that the technology may be used for quick and accurate detection of liquid explosives; and a good thing, too, as terrorists show a greater tendency to move away from commercial explosives toward home-made ones
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Raytheon wins $3.7 million phase 1 STIP contract
Award follows news of Rapsican success; company will help integrate Threat Image Projection Ready X-ray systems into STIP network; when complete, approximately 1200 TRX systems will be on-line at eighty airports nationwide.
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TSA no-fly list under scrutiny for over-enrollment
More than 30,000 people have asked to be removed due to error, yet TSA often fails to do so; DOJ is currently working to develop better procedures; linking the list to relevant biometric systems may be the best solution, if an enterprising company steps in to help
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Rapsican Systems wins $13 million phase two STIP contract
Following succesful tests, company will install its security networking software at airports nationwide; system monitors X-ray machines and metal and explosives detectors for maintenance and performance analysis; deal puts Rapsican in an enviable position for future security roll-outs
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Extensive testing behind new TSA liquid container rules
Officials attempted to replicate London bomb plot; by testing various quantities of explosive liquids, TSA officials found the level where damage could be done without imperiling an airplane; plastic-bag regulations to continue indefinitely
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TSA considers replacing airport X-rays with EDSs
Move prompted by spate of recent problems; ability to detect liquid explosives a key requirement, but technology is immature; cost an issue as well; recent TSA purchases include orders from Analogic and Reveal Imaging
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U.S.-E.U. relations under strain over visa waiver program
U.S. refuses to allow new E.U. countries to participate citing security concerns; in response, the European Commission says it will recommend imposing visa requirements on U.S. diplomats
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European court deadline for data sharing agreement passes
Negotiations will continue while the U.S. defers imposing $6,000 fines; privacy rights at issue, but U.S. will not budge on refusal to allow passengers to inspect shared information
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Joke at Tim Hawley's expense leads to unfunny security delay
Screeners at Milwaukee airport find nothing to laugh at when passenger writes “Tim Hawley is an idiot” on plastic bag
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San Diego shows promise as homeland security incubator
Local companies take advantage of proximity to high education; Daylight Solutions offers a hand held trace explosive detector that relies on lasers; Seacoast Science “volitaile organic chemical detector” identifies sarin, acetone, and other deadly chemicals
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Airport screening system under strain says TSA
A dearth of screeners and cumbersome explosive detectors contribute to problem; fix to cost $5 billion; selling federal tax credits one possible way to get more efficient machines on line
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GE signs deal with Dubai for luggage screening systems
CTX 900s to be deployed at Dubai International Airport; Arab Middle East market is booming as states deal with economic growth and homegown terrorism; airport, one of the largest in region, is a prime business opportunity for the security-minded
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