ANAHEIM, Calif.--(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 MobileSearch^™ High-Energy (HE) cargo and vehicle inspection system with both high-energy transmission and proprietary Z Backscatter X-ray imaging for detecting threats and contraband including weapons, explosives, drugs, and currency. For added flexibility, the system offers multiple scan modes for high speed scanning of passenger vehicles or oversized or odd-shaped cargo, allowing the operational flexibility of the Z Backscatter^TM Van — in either “drive-by” mode to scan stationary objects, or “portal” mode to scan vehicles as they drive past the system. MobileSearch HE also features a unique integrated cab design that enables the drivers and operators to be in the same spacious cabin for improved communications and comfort.

“MobileSearch HE provides the industry’s most versatile and effective mobile scanning system on the market,” said Robert Postle, AS&E’s Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing. “The system’s combination of transmission and Z Backscatter X-ray technologies provides superior imaging and displays the most information about the contents of the cargo. With its multiple scan modes, the system offers the flexibility and the photo-like imaging of our top selling Z Backscatter Van, making it ideal for a wide range of applications.”

MobileSearch HE is ideal for homeland security and drug interception missions at seaports, border crossings, and other high threat checkpoints. The system offers the largest tunnel size in the industry, allowing for the inspection of oversize cargo and vehicles. MobileSearch HE can travel on roads and at highway speeds.

AS&E’s Patented Z Backscatter Technology plus High-Energy Transmission

MobileSearch HE offers two complementary imaging technologies integrated in one system. Its 4.5 MeV high energy transmission X-ray generates high penetration and high resolution images for the inspection of densely loaded cargo, with typical penetration over 12 inches (300 mm) of steel. The system also utilizes Z Backscatter X-ray imaging to assist in the identification of organics for improved detection of threats and contraband. Z Backscatter technology offers the additional benefits of photo-like images and improved image analysis time, as well as a wide field of view with no tire or ground cutoff unlike transmission X-rays — allowing for the effective scanning of passenger vehicles and tires.

Flexibile Scan Modes

MobileSearch HE offers multiple scan modes for added flexibility. During normal operations, MobileSearch HE scans over stationary vehicles and cargo with both transmission and Z Backscatter imaging with the boom deployed. Additionally, MobileSearch HE can operate in Z Backscatter-only mode, with the boom stowed, for high speed scanning of passenger vehicles or oversized or odd-shaped cargo. In Z Backscatter-only mode, the system is safe to scan drivers and passengers while they remain in their vehicles.

MobileSearch HE is the latest introduction into AS&E’s comprehensive family of Cargo and Vehicle Inspection Systems, which also includes:

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 (DHS), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), HM Revenue & Customs (U.K.), Hong Kong Customs, and Abu Dhabi Customs. For more information on AS&E products and technologies, 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.

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