Hardened Luggage Container
Current airport security equipment cannot detect certain smaller explosive devices that are capable of causing significant damage. Under a contract with the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA)*, we have developed and successfully tested prototype units of a hardened luggage container which is capable of containing the detonation and suppressing the fires caused by such devices. This container conforms to International Air Transport Association specifications for luggage containers and is designed to provide greater durability than existing containers used in ordinary commercial service. Because this hardened luggage container will cost more to purchase and to operate due to its increased weight over existing luggage containers, we believe that commercial airlines will not readily purchase the containers until FAA regulations require the mandatory use of such a hardened luggage container.
We were awarded a contract from the FAA for "Blast Mitigation Airline Baggage Containers." Over 45 firms were solicited, and we were evaluated first overall. This project is a key step in the commercialization of our Hardened Unit Load Device (HULD).
In the first phase of the project, the HULD will be redesigned for commercial operation (adding details required in service but not related to blast mitigation, such as a door latch). After the design is reviewed, it will be given Airworthiness Certification. Next, a container meeting the certification requirements will be built and blast tested. Finally, the FAA will place an order for up to 60 units to be manufactured over a year's time. These units will be given to a number of participating airlines for evaluation.
Hardened Container for Law Enforcement
The Systems Engineering and Testing Group (SET) has developed a relatively low cost, lightweight, easily transportable container that can be used by law enforcement agencies as a temporary container for terrorist bombs. High strength, fiber-composite, normally found in ballistic armor is used in a unibody design with no joints, and an internal sliding door to contain the explosive pressures, gases and fragments. The unit, with dimensions of 2 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft and a weight of about 55 lbs, has been designed to contain 1 lb of black powder explosive.
| The photo at right shows a low-cost, light-weight, transportable container containing a one-pound explosive representative of a terrorist bomb. |  |
*Work performed under contract by Jaycor, now Titan.