Technology Focus Area: Bulk Detection Technology

The Bulk Explosives and Weapons Detection Program is focused on developing automated inspection technologies which detect explosives and weapons concealed in baggage, cargo, vehicles, or on persons. As opposed to the detection of trace amounts of contamination or vapor which may not indicate the positive presence of a threat, the bulk program focuses on the automatic detection of the actual threat, using nonintrusive technology to the extent possible.

Technological solutions are developed in response to requirements from programs addressing threat vectors, for example, methods of approach a perpetrator may use to attack civilian transportation or facilities. Currently, the threat vectors of most interest are checked baggage, carry-on baggage and personnel (checkpoint), cargo/mail. In addition, the bulk program is involved in longer-term research with the ultimate goal of making improved security technologies available for threat vector deployment.

While technology development is guided by threat vector requirements, there is a general need to advance the state-of-the-art in detection technology. The Bulk program therefore has the following general objectives, which can be addressed separately or in concert with each other:

• Threat characterization. Improve capability in, and perform characterization of threats and other relevant materials to better understand the role of bulk technologies in threat detection and discrimination.
• Improve detection accuracy. Improve the capability of technology to automatically detect threat materials and not detect innocent materials; improve the capability of technology to detect additional threat materials, or smaller amounts.
• Increase machine throughput. Maximizing throughput capability increases overall efficiency and reduces the cost of systems operation.
• Combine technologies. Improve total systems capability by incorporating other technology types into the system.
• Emphasize and improve cost effectiveness. Reliability and availability of systems should be maximized; unit cost, installation and maintenance costs should be minimized.
• Long-term research and development. Emerging technologies are investigated with emphasis in achieving the above objectives, either as subsystem improvements or new detection technologies.
• Test and evaluation. Improve capability in, and perform, evaluations of technologies at various stages of development, focusing on threat detection performance, striving for standardization in the test and evaluation approach.
• Partnerships. Utilize interagency, international, and other partnerships to achieve progress and maintain awareness of other developments.