The Future Aviation Security Solutions (FASS) programme, a joint initiative between the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) and the Home Office, is aiming to improve airport security.
Developing innovative technology and science for airport efficiencies, Sequestim—an express security solutions company—has created a super-sensitive, walk-through scanner allowing passengers to keep their outer clothes on whilst continuing to move through the scanner.
The Defence and Security Accelerator’s (DASA) Tracey Holmes, said: “Working closely with the DfT FASS team, I have had the privilege to drive the programme milestones and support the development of these projects as the Competition Delivery Manager for DASA. Together, we have sought to harness novel aviation security innovation, accelerating defense and security solutions to keep UK airports one step ahead of potential threats.”
According to Ms Holmes, a recent live trial at Cardiff Airport demonstrated the ability of the scanner to substantially increase passenger throughput, which has obvious advantages for passengers in the reduced queuing times at airport security checks.
The FASS programme has £25.5 million to invest over five-years in order to provide better security solutions as well as improving the UK government’s ability to prevent terrorist attacks at its airports.
FASS works closely with research teams and end-users to improve how fast new technology is developed, refined and introduced to an airport. Assisted by the Joint Security and Resilience Centre (JSaRC) FSS helps to provide testing and trialing facilities and equipment for projects at all stages of product development.
Ms Holmes said: “Scanna has developed a sensor pad that can detect explosives hidden in shoes without them being removed. And we’ve funded the University of Cambridge to look at behavioral change in security staff and educating them to spot threats using smarter scanning techniques to speed up the process.
Just 18-months on from the initial planning process, this month marks the completion of the second phase of the programme.
