THE EQUIPMENT THE SOLUTION THE CHALLENGE THE THREAT

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2 THE CHALLENGE The aviation system, essential to the U.S. economy, its quality of life, and national security, is in a sustained period of economic growth. As the system grows, so do the opportunities for attacks against civil aviation. Air carrier activity forecasts indicate that in 2011, U.S. air carriers will be carrying one billion passengers a year - 60 per cent more than they carried in This growing number of passengers will also increase the number of bags that pass through security checkpoints - from 2.3 billion in 1999 to over 3.5 billion in THE THREAT Current intelligence suggests that attacks may increase in sophistication as terrorist groups work together in ad hoc groups. Recent incidents have shown that members of terrorist groups are willing to sacrifice their own lives to attack U.S. citizens with the intent to maximize casualties. The critical need to protect civil aviation against terrorist and other criminal acts has been declared a national security priority. THE SOLUTION The Federal Aviation Administration and the aviation industry recognize that the security threat to commercial aviation is constantly changing. In response, new technologies and procedures are continually being developed to improve civil aviation security. The 1996 White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security clearly understood this challenge, and worked with the agency and industry on ways to deter the growing terrorist threat. As a result of those efforts, in October 1996, the FAA and industry joined forces to establish the Security Equipment Integrated Product Team (SEIPT) to purchase and deploy advanced technology security equipment to airports across the United States This is the FAA's first integrated product team to include air carrier and airport professionals. By working towards common goals, this team is increasing security for air THE EQUIPMENT The SEIPT deploys a variety of sophisticated technologies to increase the level of protection afforded to the public. Explosives detection systems (EDS) help prevent the introduction of concealed improvised explosive devices, weapons, and other threats in checked baggage. These automated systems are fast, effective, and provide a uniform, high level of performance. Threat image projection ready x-ray (TRX) systems are capable of superimposing images of various types of threat objects on the x-ray image of a passenger's carry-on bag. These systems are designed to improve operator proficiency and vigilance, while also providing a basis for developing standards of performance. Explosives trace detection (ETD) devices indicate the presence of explosive materials by detecting minute amounts of vapors or particles, which could adhere to a passenger's checked baggage or carry-on items. Over the next several years, the SEIPT will continue to deploy security equipment to further improve the level of security at our nation's airports. Your understanding and support of this important program is appreciated.

3 SEIPT Mission: To identify, test, select, and deploy security systems necessary to improve civil aviation security. INTRODUCTION The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the aviation industry recognize that the security threat to commercial aviation is constantly changing and that they must continually develop innovative new technologies and procedures to improve civil aviation security. It is the SEIPT s firm belief that only by working in partnership with industry can civil aviation security he strengthened to meet the challenges of an increasingly dangerous world , Kenneth Klasinski, Leader, Security Equipment Integrated Product Team The White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security clearly understood this challenge and worked with the agency and industry on ways to deter the growing terrorist threat. As a result of these efforts, the FAA established the Security Equipment Integrated Product Team (SEIPT) and invited industry to participate as members. The SEIPT s mission is to identify, test, select, and deploy security systems as necessary to improve aviation security. Although the FAA and industry have always worked collaboratively to enhance the security of the flying public, the SEIPT is unique in that it is the FAA's first integrated product team to include members from the air carrier and airport communities. This team brings together government and industry representatives in a variety of functional disciplines, such as aviation security, logistics, testing, engineering, legal, operational and others. By working together, the FAA and industry are deploying significant numbers of high-technology systems to airports across the United States to prevent the introduction of explosive devices, weapons, or other dangerous articles onboard civil aircraft. Because of the SEIPT's ongoing work, an integrated civil aviation security system is being developed, which optimizes the strengths of a number of different technologies, providing the aviation community a greater level of defense against the increasing sophistication of terrorists. The team is helping to create an aviation security program that is layered, integrated, and working together to produce the highest possible level of protection. 12 1

4 The Combined Effort of All Team Members is Key to the Success of the SEIPT. On average, the SEIPT installs one explosives detection system every 13 days, one explosives trace detection device every 3 days and two threat image projection-ready x-ray systems every day. TODAY'S SECURITY CHALLENGE The aviation system, which is essential to the U.S. transportation infrastructure, the economy, U.S. national security, and quality of life for U.S. citizens, is in a sustained period of growth, as indicated in the figure below. The FAA and industry have long realized the importance of working together to protect the flying public. By working toward a common goal, the SEIPT continues to provide improved security for all air travelers. This work gives the public and the global aviation community reasons to be optimistic about the fight against terrorism. PROJECTED SYSTEM GROWTH 2500 To achieve national security goals, the air carrier and airport representatives on the SEIPT work continuously with the FAA to purchase, install, and operate aviation systems that meet the operational needs of the air carrier and airport environments. The dedication of these experts exemplifies the FAA/industry spirit of partnership , ,525 1, , Domestic Passengers Domestic Checked Bags Domestic Carry-on Bags 2 11

5 The White House and Congress have identified aviation security and the associated deployment of advanced security equipment as a national security issue. THREAT IMAGE PROJECTION-READY X-RAY SYSTEMS: PROJECTED SYSTEM GROWTH Maintenance support for the threat image projection-ready x-ray equipment installed at an airport is provided under vendor warranty (warranty periods vary by vendor). This support includes maintenance, parts, labor, and upgrades as required by the equipment vendor. A log is maintained, which includes information on: Maintenance performed Upgrades (hardware and software) Reliability Availability As the aviation system grows, so do the opportunities for attacks against civil aviation. While there has been a downward trend in the number of terrorist attacks against aviation and other targets, their lethality is increasing. The World Trade Center bombing in 1993, the bombing of Khobar Towers in 1996, the U.S. Embassy bombings in East Africa in 1998, and the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000 are examples of the willingness of terrorists to carry out attacks against U.S. citizens with the intent to maximize casualties. Unsuccessful attempts to bring explosive devices through U.S. borders in Washington State and New York in 1999 are also indicative of terrorist intent. The air carrier assumes responsibility for maintenance of the equipment after the warranty period expires. In the past, terrorist organizations had been primarily state-sponsored and, therefore operated in a highly structured fashion, with strict command and control. Today, more loosely organized terrorist cells are becoming more prevalent, and terrorists with more individual goals and charismatic leadership styles, such as Usama Bin Laden, have come to the forefront. Not constrained by the historical structure of state-sponsorship, these organizations are now combining forces to present new challenges to the intelligence community, the FAA, and the aviation industry. Furthermore, members of such organizations are becoming more willing to sacrifice their own lives in carrying out their attacks. The critical need to protect civil air transportation against terrorist and other criminal acts has been declared a national security priority. The intelligence community, the FAA, and the aviation industry believe aviation will remain a target of terrorists. Current analysis suggests that methods of attack will increase in sophistication and the possibility of an attack within the United States, while low, is increasing. 10 3

6 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE Through the SEIPT, the FAA, air carriers, and airports are working together proactively to purchase security equipment and make critical decisions regarding the deployment of that equipment based on national security needs. The team's primary responsibilities include: Identifying a wide range of security equipment to determine capabilities and limitations. Conducting laboratory and field tests necessary to determine operational suitability and effectiveness. Determining the best equipment available for deployment. Purchasing and installing security equipment and ensuring its effective use. This equipment is critical to FAA security goals to increase the number of checked and carry-on bags screened by advanced technology security systems. EQUIPMENT DEPLOYMENT Before the SEIPT deploys equipment to any airport, several key steps are necessary: Site Selection Once the FAA and an air carrier select a particular airport to receive security equipment, a survey is done to determine the best location for that equipment. The site survey team includes, but is not limited to, representatives from the following organizations: FAA SEIPT members Airport management Airport security Airport architect/engineer Air carrier management FAA Federal Security Manager/Civil Aviation Security Field Office Law enforcement/explosive ordnance disposal specialists Equipment vendor Explosives Detection Systems: The FAA provides one year of maintenance support for the explosives detection system installed at an airport. This support includes warranty, maintenance, and upgrades as required by the equipment vendor. A maintenance log is maintained, which includes information on: Calibration Maintainability Maintenance Availability (probability that the Upgrades (hardware and software) system will be available for use at Reliability (probability that the system any given time) will complete a day's work without Mean time between failure critical failures) Mean time to repair The responsibility for maintenance is transferred to the air carrier at the end of the one-year warranty. From that point, the air carrier maintains the explosives detection system and continues to update the maintenance logs and other air carrier-specific performance recording procedures as currently specified in the Air Carrier Standard Security Program. Explosives Trace Detection Devices: Maintenance support for the explosives trace detection equipment installed at an airport is covered for the first year of operation under vendor warranty. This support includes maintenance and upgrades as required by the equipment vendor. A maintenance log is maintained, which includes information on calibration, maintenance performed, and upgrades (hardware and software). The air carrier assumes responsibility for maintenance of the equipment after the warranty period expires. 4 9

7 Operator Qualification Tests (OQT) are the final steps in the security equipment installation process. These tests are performed immediately after a class of operators has successfully completed the training curriculum for a particular system. These tests determine the operator s ability to resolve alarms by locating suspect objects within passenger baggage and differentiating suspect objects from false-alarm items. Operational Test and Evaluation (OTE) occurs once the equipment is operational at a particular airport. Separate and apart from other tests of machine performance (e.g., detection and false alarm rates), these tests assess the degree to which the equipment meets effectiveness and suitability requirements established by the SEIPT for airport environments (e.g., maintainability, reliability, availability, human factors, etc.) The survey team selects several potential sites at the airport to install the security equipment. An architect then develops plans for each of the sites. While the architectural plans are prepared, a survey is conducted at each site to assess: Power availability Heating and ventilation Communication lines Floor load capacity Equipment access Construction requirements Approximate number of days to install Operational soundness (i.e., will the site disrupt the flow of passengers) Number of screening personnel required Estimated cost of installation Generally, within 30 days of this survey, the SEIPT submits a site survey report to the air carrier and airport officials, that summarizes the collective recommendations of all involved stakeholders. Once the report is reviewed, these officials respond in writing to the SEIPT stating their choice for an installation site. After that decision is made, a more detailed plan, the site installation plan, is prepared. That plan includes installation requirements (power, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, office/storage space, construction costs), integration costs, selected option drawing(s), a structural analysis, and approvals from the air carrier and the SEIPT. Once all stakeholders approve the site installation plan, work begins at the airport. While construction is being completed, the SEIPT works with the security equipment vendor(s) to coordinate delivery and installation of the requisite equipment. 8 5

8 SECURITY EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT TESTING/VALIDATION The SEIPT is installing several different types of security equipment at airports to protect against a variety of threats: Explosives detection systems (EDS) help prevent the introduction of concealed improvised explosive devices, weapons, and other threats in checked baggage. These computer-assisted systems are efficient and effective and provide a uniform, high level of performance. The FAA sets specific test criteria and performance validation requirements for every piece of equipment or system it purchases. Air carrier and airport representatives from the SEIPT also conduct design reviews to better understand and minimize the operational impact of the security systems on airport operations. To ensure system integrity and quality, the security equipment undergoes a series of tests and evaluations, both prior to and after installation at the airport, before it becomes operational, and after it is in service: Threat image projection-ready x-ray (TRX) units are modifications of standard x-ray systems, which superimpose different types of threat images into the stream of passenger carry-on baggage at an airport security checkpoint. The system overlays the image (e.g., guns, knives, and improvised explosive devices) from an extensive library onto the x-ray image of the actual passenger baggage being screened. The image appears on the monitor as if a threat object actually exists within the passenger's bag. False images of entire bags containing threat objects can also be displayed on the monitor screen. These units are an integral part of developing performance measurements and standards for certifying screening companies. System Level Master Test is an FAA-developed, high-level plan applicable to all types/methods of security equipment purchased by the SEIPT. The plan contains a checklist to verify achievement of FAA detection and operational performance requirements. Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) are done at the vendor's facility to validate that the equipment is functioning at or above FAA performance standards. Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) determine whether or not equipment suffered damage during shipment or installation. Explosives trace detection (ETD) devices detect the presence of different types of explosive materials by reacting to minute amounts of residue, which could adhere to a passenger's checked baggage or carry-on items. Computer-based training (CBT) systems provide an efficient means for delivering standardized instruction and testing for security equipment operators at U.S. airports. Site-Specific Tests ensure that the equipment functions properly and verifies that the equipment has been properly integrated in the specific airport environment. System Tests ensure all equipment at a particular airport is integrated and working together as specified by the SEIPT. 6 7