Not All Body Scanners Are the Same—Germany Halts Test of Millimeter Wave Body Scanners

September 29, 2011

Recently, there has been a great deal of media coverage regarding a test of a millimeter wave body scanning system in Hamburg Airport in Germany. According to the media, the body scanners in question use millimeter wave technology and are not manufactured by Rapiscan. A recent ABC News article stated:

“The German government halted the full roll-out of American body imaging scanners in the nation’s airports today after the Interior Minister said the devices sound too many false alarms …” 

By contrast, the results of European operational trials of Rapiscan System’s Secure 1000 body-scanners, which use a different technology – backscatter x-ray – have been positive. A report by the United Kingdom’s Department for Transport, which assessed the use of the Secure 1000 in England, stated the following:

From “SECURITY SCANNERS INITIAL UK GOVERNMENT BRIEFING,” UK DFT, 14 July 2010.

“Experience in the UK at Manchester airport, where some 148,799 scans have been carried out (as at end of June), suggests scanners as an alarm resolution technology provide good security standards, operational efficiency and the best possible passenger experience.  95% of passengers at Manchester airport rated the process as ‘better’ or ‘much better’ than the traditional hand search and 94% rated the speed of the process as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. Staff feedback is also overwhelmingly positive.  Security Scanners provide a less-intrusive method than private search (or hand search), thereby improving passenger’s experience.”

At Rapiscan, we believe that the success of our body scanners at airports is the result of excellent technology and our ability to work closely with airports, regulators and the public.

Category: Policy | Technology & Screening Solutions | Airports/Aviation Security |