BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E^®) (NASDAQ: ASEI), a leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray detection solutions, announced today the introduction of the Sentry^™ Portal — a high-throughput, high-penetration, drive-through cargo inspection system designed to quickly and safely scan trucks, cargo containers, and tanker trucks for threatening materials, weapons, and contraband. The Sentry Portal system is safe for drivers and operators and offers the unique combination of high-penetration capability with unsurpassed image quality. The system is an ideal solution for high-volume seaports, border crossings, and security checkpoints. The Sentry Portal system can also be deployed along with AS&E’s multi-view Z Portal^® screening system for three-sided imaging of the entire vehicle (including the cab) and the detection of organic materials such as drugs, explosives, or stowaways.

“We are pleased to add the Sentry Portal to AS&E’s cargo inspection product offerings,” said Anthony Fabiano, President and CEO. “This new high-energy system provides superior imaging and can scan 150 trucks per hour — six times the capacity of conventional high-energy X-ray systems — helping to maintain the flow of commerce at points of entry. By combining the Sentry Portal’s detection capabilities with our Z Portal screening system, security officials will have the most comprehensive high-throughput, multi-view inspection system for both metallic and organic threat detection.”

About Sentry Portal

AS&E’s relocatable, drive-through Sentry Portal system uses a high-energy X-ray transmission source that allows for the high-throughput, rapid screening of cargo for security threats and contraband. This high-penetration system enables thorough inspection of even densely-loaded cargo containers at up to 12 inches (300 mm) of steel. The system features an advanced cargo sensing subsystem that begins scanning only after the cab has passed to maintain a safe environment and the extremely low scattered radiation dose means the system is safe for all drivers and operators. The system also features a compact footprint allowing for installation in areas with space constraints. In addition to operating with AS&E’s Z Portal System, the Sentry Portal system can be integrated with radiation detection, container identification, and license plate reading systems.

AS&E’s Comprehensive Port and Border Inspection Systems:

Sentry^™ Portal: New advanced, high-throughput, high-penetration, drive-through inspection system.

OmniView^™ Gantry: Cargo and vehicle inspection system with high-energy X-ray transmission inspection for high-penetration into complex cargo and dense objects — up to 14 inches (350 mm) of steel — without requiring an exterior building or heavy shielding.

Z Portal^®: Cargo and vehicle screening system offers high-throughput, drive-through, multi-view screening for cars, vans, and their cargo with Z Backscatter imaging. The system is safe for drivers and passengers to remain in their vehicle during screening.

Z Gantry^™: Cargo and vehicle screening system offers bi-directional, multi-view Z Backscatter scanning by moving on rails for screening cargo and vehicles. The Z Gantry is ideal for high-traffic locations with space constraints and is extremely safe for operators, cargo, and the environment.

Z Backscatter Van^™ (ZBV): The most maneuverable, versatile mobile X-ray detection system on the market; a low cost highly mobile screening system built into a commercially available delivery van, offering rapid “drive-by” Z Backscatter screening.

About AS&E^®

American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E) is the leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray inspection systems. With over 50 years of experience in developing advanced X-ray security systems, the Company’s product line utilizes a combination of technologies, including patented Z Backscatter technology, Radioactive Threat Detection (RTD), high-energy transmission and dual-energy transmission X-ray. These technologies offer superior X-ray threat detection for plastic explosives, plastic weapons, liquid explosives, dirty bombs and nuclear devices. AS&E’s complete range of products include cargo inspection systems for port and border security, baggage screening systems for facility and aviation security, and personnel and passenger screening systems. AS&E systems protect high-threat facilities and help combat terrorism and trade fraud, drug smuggling, weapon smuggling, and illegal immigration and people smuggling. AS&E customers include leading government agencies, border authorities, military bases, airports and corporations worldwide, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, HM Revenue & Customs (U.K.), and Abu Dhabi Customs. For more information, please visit www.as-e.com.

Safe Harbor Statement. The foregoing press release contains statements concerning AS&E’s financial performance, markets and business operations that may be considered “forward-looking” under applicable securities laws. AS&E wishes to caution readers of this press release that actual results might differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Factors which might cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements contained herein include the following: significant reductions or delays in procurements of the Company’s systems by the United States and other governments; disruption in the supply of any source component incorporated into AS&E’s products; litigation seeking to restrict the use of intellectual property used by the Company; potential product liability claims against the Company; global political trends and events which affect public perception of the threat presented by drugs, explosives and other contraband; global economic developments and the ability of governments and private organizations to fund purchases of the Company’s products to address such threats; and the potential insufficiency of Company resources, including human resources, capital, plant and equipment and management systems, to accommodate any future growth, and future delays in federal funding. These and certain other factors which might cause actual results to differ materially from those projected are detailed from time to time in AS&E’s periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which important factors are incorporated herein by reference. AS&E undertakes no obligation to update forward looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or changes in future operating results, financial condition or business over time.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6022630&lang=en