Transportation

Scorpion sting delays flight
Non-lethal arachnid hitches a ride from Costa Rica; security fails to detect the beast, but animal control officers manage to find and kill it after attack; HSDW demands action
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New emergency air command goes on-line next week
SCATANA to be replaced with ESCAT; change devolves authority to declare emergencies to regional NORAD commands; shift in responsibility intended to permit commanders to restrict regional flights so as to avoid costly national shutdowns
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GAO to take a second look at airport perimeter security
Upcoming investigation will see if any progress has been made since a scathing 2004 report; undercover GAO teams may attempt to breach airport security to test response; TSA says its hands are clean and welcomes the chance to prove itself
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Boeing Australia to support Insitu's ScanEagle UAV
Deal representative of the close relationship between the two companies; Boeing to provide reconnaissance and surveillance services; ScanEagle, currently deployed by U.S. forces in Iraq, finds an admirer in the Australian high command
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Security procedures tightened at Bangkok airport
Officials promise to make Suvarnabhumi a model of airport security; move follows New Years bombings; authorities take issue with Loxley-ICTS and threaten to cancel the security company’s contract; with Thai officials getting serious about security, opportunities abound for industry
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Coast Guard suggests driver's licenses for boaters
Program would help authorities keep track of small boats; idea challenged by state planners already upset by REAL-ID Act; uniformity of IDs could lead to uniformity of sporting laws; Coast Guard concerned about smuggling, critical infrastructure
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TSA to permit advertising at airport security checkpoints
In exchange for providing plastic bins, companies will be allowed to place advertisements inside them; test run began in July at LAX; TSA to brief industry on 11 January
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Coast Guard struggles with maritime surveillance program
Port of Miami once again provides a sorry case study; Maritime Domain Awareness program confuses waves for boats; Coast Guard stops following the radar after too many problems; Automated Identification System a cause for criticism
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Unisys and Verant certified to join Registered Traveller program
TSA grants its approval after both companies complete successful pilot programs across the country; Unisys looks to expand operations to Reno/Tahoe; certification adds momentum to an important project, but early leader Verified Identity loses potential market share
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CBP chief calls for a change in container security priorities
Ralph Basham to insist on technologies that detect intrusions from all parts of the box, not just the door; policy a departure from predecessor’s; CBP has asked SAIC and L-3 to come up with a solution, but delivery is still pending
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Thales Raytheon received $50 million BCS-F contract
Bitter feeling over the initial Battle Control System-Fixed contract does not stop the Air Force from handing over an additional $50 million; system is intended to improve military response to aircraft security problems; BCS-F seen as long behind schedule; cost-overruns a serious concern
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DHS increases TWIC issuance fees
Ballooning card production costs force a $10 increase in initial charges, with a $24 increase for replacements; TWIC program looks to manage finances while it sorts out technological challenges
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Aussie doctor stopped with bleeding luggage
Plastic surgeon tries to check bloody garments and instruments; much to the disgust of local officials, a leak betrays him
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U.S. border protection programs: Brief background
Yesterday SBInet won a lucrative contract as part of a continuing effort to secrure American borders; it follows and builds on several other initiatives that are part of migration security control
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New vortex generators to help UUVs dock
Squid and octopi inspire Colorado researchers to develop a more effective design for unmanned underwater vehicles; no need to trade litheness for docking stability; enhanced craft can even parallel park
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