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To: grobdriver
The TSA has been using two companies to conduct the searches, outsourcing to both Rapiscan and L-3 Communications Holdings to produce the machines. While the Rapiscan machines have been utilizing weak X-rays to create what appears to be a naked image of the subject, the machines of L-3 Communications Holdings use radio waves to depict concealed objects on an avatar image on a screen, and will continue to be used by the TSA.
The Rapiscan machines will be replaced by 60 units supplied by L-3.

4 posted on 01/18/2013 7:50:53 AM PST by grobdriver (Sic semper tyrannis!)
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To: grobdriver
The TSA has been using two companies to conduct the searches, outsourcing to both Rapiscan and L-3 Communications Holdings to produce the machines. While the Rapiscan machines have been utilizing weak X-rays to create what appears to be a naked image of the subject, the machines of L-3 Communications Holdings use radio waves to depict concealed objects on an avatar image on a screen, and will continue to be used by the TSA. The Rapiscan machines will be replaced by 60 units supplied by L-3.

I directed the operational testing of these systems for a DoD agency for deploying them into operational theaters (the safety testing was done elsewhere). We concluded that the Rapidscan was deficient in several respects and we did this with full knowledge and experience with other backscatter X-ray systems that we employed for other purposes. In the end, we selected the L3 system. I have spent many hours in front of the displays of both systems and found the L3 device better at identifying threats and was less intrusive from a body display perspective.

Over at the TSA, it's useful to know that Chertoff has a business relationship with Rapidscan and that the TSA testing (done by someone I know) came to conclusions similar to mine, but were overruled at higher levels in TSA.

38 posted on 01/18/2013 10:47:37 AM PST by centurion316
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