US-based Astrotech has announced that its explosives trace detector (ETD) has passed the European Civil Aviation Conference’s (ECAC) common evaluation process (CEP) for airport checkpoint screening of passengers.
Known as the TRACER 1000, the explosives trace detector is said to be the first mass spectrometry-based ETD to have passed ECAC’s laboratory testing protocol.
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ECAC is the European regulator on aviation security and is the equivalent of the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
After receiving formal certification at the CEP Management Group’s next meeting, Astrotech plans to start offering TRACER 1000 to airports worldwide.
In January, the TRACER 1000 was accepted by ECAC into European evaluation process for security screening in airports.
1st Detect and Astrotech CEO Thomas Pickens III said: “ECAC’s support throughout this process demonstrates their commitment to setting the global standard of security by adopting the most advanced explosives detection technology.
“We look forward to improving the safety of the world’s air transportation systems with our high-quality instruments for many years to come.”
1st Detect and Astrotech COO Raj Mellacheruvu stated: “Passing ECAC’s CEP test for airport checkpoint screening of passengers is an important validation of our technology. The TRACER 1000 was designed to improve safety and enhance the airport experience for travellers and personnel by reducing wait times at security checkpoints.”
1st Detect operates as the wholly owned subsidiary of Astrotech.
TRACER 1000 can detect a number of substances that include peroxides, explosive materials, fentanyls, heroine, and cocaine.
Equipped with CONOPS and standard swab sampling mechanism, the detector has been designed to substitute the current generation of IMS-based explosives trace detectors currently used at airports and cargo inspection depots, among other facilities.
