SCI/TECH: Transportation Security Administration to Test New Security Technology

The Transportation Security Administration announced Monday that it would be testing new technologies in an effort to combat terrorism. The technologies will include radio frequency identification, iris scanners, ultrasonic emitters, microwave sensors, a hand geometry reader, a video motion surveillance analysis system, and government-owned GPS-enabled cell phones for clam-diggers. These technologies will be put into place in June and the tests will continue through the summer and are intended to address the concern about terrorists who might deploy shoulder-fired missiles known as man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS).



Some of this report sounds like something from Comedy Central, but I guess creativity counts in the war on terror, as our adversaries seem never to reach their creative limits. Certainly, clam-diggers with cell-phones tickles the funny bone, but if they are half as effective as the "Minutemen" who have manned our southern border, they may prove to be the most effective technology of all. Goodness knows, the very name MANPADS strikes terror in my heart.

Related News Links:
www.tsa.gov
usgovinfo.about.com
www.denverpost.com
www.thetimesonline.com

Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
ATS: Ridge's Investments? Homeland Security Contractors
Massive Search of Airliners Underway
War on Terror? What Terror?


[edit on 05/4/26 by GradyPhilpott]

Sounds like a good thing to say you're going to do, even if you don't. I can't say I see any point to telling terrorists where your defensive systems are located unless you're hoping for a psychological edge.