• U.S. remains the dominant leader in science and technology worldwide

    Perceptions to the contrary notwithstanding, the United States remains the world’s undisputed leader in science and technology; the key factor enabling U.S. science and engineering workforce to grow: inflow of foreign students, scientists, and engineers

  • Smiths Detection in $25 million TSA contract

    The Transportation Security Administration awards Smiths Detection a $25 million follow-on contract for the company’s Advanced Threat Identification X-Ray (aTiX) systems

  • DHS: 2012 deadline for U.S.-bound cargo screening unrealistic

    DHS says that Congressionally mandated deadline for 100 percent inspection of U.S.-bound cargo containers is unrealistic; what is more, it is unnecessary

  • New system analyzes urban traffic patterns

    What will happen to traffic patterns if a new office building, sports arena, or other major facility is built? New software helps urban planners analyze and predict such patterns

  • Airlines buy plane spare parts on line

    More questions about airline safety: Not only do many U.S. airlines have maintenance work on their planes done by abroad in shops which are not properly inspected by the FAA — many also buy spare parts on-line from suplliers not inspected ar approved by the FAA; some airlines buy spare parts on Craigslist

  • School of Robofish forms basis for underwater robot teams

    Most ocean robots require periodic communication with scientist or satellite intermediaries to share information, but new robots can work cooperatively communicating only with each other

  • State Department: Robust security for U.S. e-passport

    Popular misconception notwithstanding, the new U.S. e-passprt are safe, says the State Department. One example: The card’s photograph cannot be removed with solvent; a laser engraving process embeds the photograph into the polycarbonate card stock, meaning that attempts to remove your picture will visibly mar the card

  • Airlines may be forced to fit antiterror cameras in seats

    The EU moves across a broad front to increase air travel safety; airlines will be forced to install spy-in-the-cabin cameras and increase the use of biometrics technology for passenger identification

  • DHS launches 3 transportation initiatives

    The Global Entry pilot program, the Passenger Service Program, and an expanded Model Ports Initiative, intended to strengthen customer service at U.S. ports of entry

  • U.S. military shoots downs SCUD-like target missile in test

    Lockheed Martin successfully tests sea-based missile interceptor; defending ships against missile attacks would be useful in the Persian Gulf, among other hot spots

  • Electronic pre-registration for Visa Waiver travelers

    DHS says that beginning 1 January 2009, passengers traveling to the United States from Visa Waiver Program countries will have to register online at least 72-hours before embarking on their trip; critics see problems

  • Texas bolsters border security, enhances trade

    U.S. trade with Mexico has more than quadrupled in the past 15 years from $81 million in 1993 to nearly $350 billion in 2007; projected to reach at least 10 times that number by 2020, Mexico is the fastest-growing U.S. trade partner; nearly 80 percent of the trade between the United States and Mexico is transported via roads or rail; in Texas alone, that equates to 3.1 million inbound and 2.7 million outbound trucks each year; General Barry McCaffrey says it is possible to bolster security while accommodating growing trade

  • Chicago Olympic official urges transportation improvements

    As Chicago readies its bid to the International Olympic Committee for the 2016 Olympic Games, the issue of transportation — and transportation security — are central consideration

  • Port worker ID program faces more delays

    TWIC faces more delays: The help line at Lockheed Martin, the contractor in charge of implementing the post security program, take on average 16 minutes to answer calls — and government studies that most callers hang up after an average wait of eight minutes

  • In-flight surveillance could foil terrorists in the sky

    Big Brother comes to the skies: EU-funded aviation security system uses a camera in every passenger’s seat, with six wide-angle cameras to survey the aisles; software on the computer to which the cameras are connected detects suspicious behavior of passengers — from air rage to terrorist intent