The UK Government has announced plans to provide a £3m grant to support research that will help develop new airport screening technologies.
Interested companies and universities will be invited to submit their proposals for the award, which will focus on the development of new solutions to detect explosive devices hidden in electrical items.
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The government is also interested in proposals that intend to find new ways of detecting tampered or irregular electrical items.
Proposals can either relate to screening electrical items within bags at an airport’s central search area, or the use of more portable technology to screen items at other points of security at the airport.
The government intends to improve its capability to prevent aviation-based terrorist attacks using the new technologies, as well as enhance overall passenger experience.
UK Security Minister Ben Wallace said: “Aviation security is a government priority and one with an ever-changing threat landscape.
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By GlobalData“We need to embrace and encourage the talent from industry that will allow us to stay several steps ahead of those who wish us harm.”
The newly announced fund is a part of a wider, multi-million pound initiative to deliver greater aviation security via the Future Aviation Security Solutions (FASS) initiative.
FASS is a collaborative project between UK’s Department for Transport and Home Office.
It is currently working with a number of industry partners to promote and fund research into potential security solutions, ranging from initial concepts to the commercial production phase.
