New Radiation Monitoring Portals to Block Nuclear Materials Entering the USA

The ceiling value of the contract awarded by the DHS is US$291 million spanning over a time frame of 15 years. It is part of a DHS program to enhance radiation detection of cargo containers, designed to automatically detect illicit trafficking of radioactive materials and prevent unauthorised nuclear materials from entering undiscovered the States.

10 percent of the POEs will first be equipped with the devices
Asked to identify the Ports of Entry (POE) mentioned in her company’s release, LD3 spokesperson Vicki Blake points out that their number runs into the 2,000s. But to start with, 200 of these places are Port of Entry candidates where Radiation Monitoring Portals will be installed, making it roughly 10 percent of all Ports of Entry existing in the USA. They include all important seaports and land border ports located around the continental United States through which all ocean and road shipments transit through.
“L3’s advanced detection radiation monitoring portals will enhance Customs and Border Protection’s ability to perform screening with significantly improved accuracy and effectiveness,” stated Pak Chin, President of L3 Security & Detection Systems. “The portals detect dangerous radioisotopes masked by other materials while allowing for normally occurring radioactive materials – thereby improving cargo throughput.”

Deployed in the Netherlands
In their release the provider stresses that these portals are the continued evolution of L3’s advanced radiation monitoring portals deployed in the Netherlands since 2014. They have been tested under the most rigorous and comprehensive testing regimen for radiation portal monitors.
The first of the 200 machines will be installed in October 2019, but it is still undecided at which port first. Spokesperson Ms Blake points out that U.S. airports are excluded from the list.
She adds to this however, that L3 solutions are used by the aviation and transportation industries, regulatory and customs authorities, government and law enforcement agencies, and commercial and other high-security facilities. The company also offers advanced defense technologies and commercial solutions in pilot training, aviation security, maritime systems, space and numerous others.

L3 and Harris merge
Last October, L3 announced a merger with Florida-based Harris Corporation. This “merger of equals” is aimed at creating a global defense technology leader.
Upon completion of the deal, Harris shareholders will own approximately 54 percent and LD3 shareholders the difference of the combined company.
The new L3 Harris Technologies Inc. will be the 6th largest defense company in the U.S. and be placed among the top ten globally. Combined, they expect to generate net revenues in the region of US$16 billion in 2018, an EBIT of US$2.4 billion and free cash flow of US$1.9 billion. Both employ roughly 48,000 staff.

Heiner Siegmund