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Homeland security promises lucrative contracts
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| 10 September 2002 |
Proposed expenditure on homeland security in the US in 2003 is set to match the US$40 billion estimated this year. Several companies have redirected resources to capture a slice of this market, which has tripled in less than three years and is likely to remain at this level beyond 2005. Aviation security accounts for 13% of the total.
Boeing created a new Homeland Security group in July, two weeks prior to Farnborough International 2002, as part of its US$23 billion Integrated Defense Systems business. High on the new group's agenda is installation of explosive-detection systems at 429 airports identified in the Transportation Security Administration's US$500 million contract award to the Boeing-Siemens team in June.
Raytheon also announced a new business dedicated to homeland security in July. Vice President Dr Hugo Poza said, "My job is to focus on providing customers with technologies, solutions and services to protect airports, ports, airspace, computer networks and to assist first responders in crises and disaster." The company has a strong track record in aviation security services, having installed over 185 explosive-detection machines and 630 trace-detectors at more than 72 airports since the mid-1990s.
Boeing's challenge is to complete 100% baggage-screening by 31 December 2002.
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