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Aurora Flight Sciences to test new Goldeneye 80 UAV
Federal government hopes for success in effort to encourage UAVs to run on standard diesel fuel; procurement efficiency at issue; Goldeneye 80 goes up against Honeywell UAV for DARPA funding, and both move forward into Phase 3 testing; winning UAV will support small units on tactical missions
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CA Bay Area port officials find a creative way to get federal funding
After federal port security bill shortchanges local ports, authorities consider counting a recently-passed bond measure among matching funds claims; voters earmarked $100,000 for port security; Port of Oakland looks to build biometric portals and enhance RFID capabilities
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French launch UAVs to stop Israeli flights over Lebanon
International peacekeepers seek to ease tension over Israeli surveillance activities said to violate cease-fire; Israelis charge French with trying to undermine local UAV industry
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Sago succesfully tests iPat airport screening system
Thermal system screens passengers for weapons and explosives; unlike Z Backscatter, no privacy issues are implicated; handheld version also available; Sago just one of many companies succesfully nurtered by Trex Enterprises
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Heathrow begins new biometric tracking pilot
Passengers will scan their fingerprints at self-service kiosks or ticket counters; some will receive iris and face scans; only Emirites and Cathay Pacific flights to Dubai and Hong King effected; Accenture, IER, Raytheon, Sagem Defense Securite, and Sita provided the technology
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Swedish border patrol agents dabble in passport pornography
Two are in trouble after supervisors find a binder containing passport photographs of “exceptionally beautiful” women
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AS&E gets TSA go-ahead for a modified Z Backscatter screening system
Privacy issues delayed roll-out; an algorithm brushes away passengers’ most intimate secrets, and the video is immediately erased after processing; to ease embarassment concerns, monitoring will be done out of sight of the passengers
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Verified Identity gets the go-ahead to expand
DHS authorizations means the Brill-owned company can move in at airports in New York, California, Indiana, and Ohio; Lockheed to work as subcontractor for account and network management
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Raytheon wins contract to help TSA determine ideal emergency flight paths
$1.9 million Advanced Route Evaluation System will perform risk analysis on aviation routes by assessing such factors as aircraft type, fuel loads, and flight route; Tec-Masters lends a hand
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Boeing wins patent on uninterruptible autopilot system
New technology can be activated by the pilots, government agencies, even on-board sensors; not even a tortured pilot can give up control; dedicated electrical circuits ensure the system’s total independence
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British air force tests unmanned jetliner
Two-hour flight shows off Qinetic’s UAV command and control interface; the next step is to to fly the jetliner, a fighter jet, and a fleet of UAVs simulateously without stepping into a cockpit
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Maine to host maritime security course for first responders
Classes will take place at the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine; the 100 expected participants were chosen by local emergency authorities; pilot program may establish Maine course as the nationwide gold standard
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Portendo teams with Swedish government to develop explosives detectors
Deal signals growing European awareness of terrorist risk; Swedish Defense Research Agency will help improve Portendo’s nSure sensors; in return, Portendo will help FOI with their own ESSEX technology
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AFGE looks again to unionize airport security screeners
Federal law prohibits labor organizing in that industry, but a recent UN ruling and an incoming Democratic majority gives hope to the American Federation of Government Employees
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Snakes on the plane no movie for Phillipines authorities
X-ray screener finds 60 snakes stuffed into two suitcases; reptile smuggling a major problem in Southeast Asia; consequences for smuggler, animals unknown
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The long view
New Technology is Keeping the Skies Safe
DHS S&T Baggage, Cargo, and People Screening (BCP) Program develops state-of-the-art screening solutions to help secure airspace, communities, and borders