Morpho to Develop Liquid Explosive Detection for 2013 EU Requirements

Morpho Detection, the detection business of Morpho, Safran group's security unit, announced its XDi X-ray diffraction-based (XRD) screening solution is under development for 2013 deployment in time to meet the EU requirement to reliably detect liquid explosives, and their components, in passengers' carry-on bags at the checkpoint. XDi is being developed at Morpho's XRD Center of Excellence in Hamburg.

XRD, widely used for the screening of passengers' hold baggage for explosive threats, is the only available and proven technology known capable of meeting EU criteria for a so-called “Type D” solution — detecting liquid explosives in bottles or other containers carried in passengers' bags. This unique Type D solution will deliver the low false alarm rates and in-bag screening airports need to address real-world operational requirements at their checkpoints, reliably detecting liquid explosives, when made available for operational testing in 2012 and regulatory testing in early 2013.

“X-ray Diffraction is the only existing technology known capable of delivering a true Type D liquid explosives detection solution to the EU's passenger checkpoints,” said Dennis Cooke, President and CEO of Morpho Detection. “XRD is already widely and successfully employed for other aviation security applications. Though other technologies claim to accomplish liquid explosives screening, only X-ray diffraction can reliably detect such threats in containers and in passengers' bags.”

Morpho Detection development plans recognize the looming deadlines in the EU and the urgency to effectively address the liquid explosives issue around the world. The company plans to deliver a Type D solution that solves this problem in conjunction with these deadlines.