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| American Science and Engineering, Inc. Receives Multi-Million Dollar Order for OmniView Gantry and ZBV to Secure a Major Port in Italy |
BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 3, 2008--American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E(R)) (NASDAQ: ASEI), a leader in X-ray detection technology, announced the receipt of a multi-million dollar order for the OmniView(TM) Gantry system and the Z Backscatter Van(TM) (ZBV(TM)) from its local distributor in Italy, AUS.TECH S.p.A. The systems will be deployed to inspect cargo and vehicles entering a major, high-volume Italian port. For maximum threat detection capability, the OmniView Gantry combines 6.0 MeV high-energy transmission with three Z Backscatter imaging modules (left, right, and top-view). This combination of technologies delivers the most reliable means of detecting contraband and threatening materials, such as weapons and explosives hidden in cargo containers, tankers, and vehicles. "We are very pleased to receive our first order from a major Italian port for the OmniView Gantry and the ZBV," said Anthony Fabiano, President and CEO. "These systems will operate within a total security protocol for the port -- the OmniView Gantry will be used to inspect incoming containers, while the highly mobile and versatile ZBV will be used by port officials to perform rapid inspections of suspect vehicles. The OmniView Gantry's high-penetration capability will enable the port to inspect dense and complex cargo while the ZBV will facilitate flexible mobile screening to secure the vicinity around the port." About OmniView Gantry The OmniView(TM) Gantry System is the only multi-view relocatable system available today that combines 6 MeV high-energy transmission inspection plus three Z Backscatter(TM) X-ray views. OmniView Gantry provides high penetration into inspected objects -- up to 14 inches (350 mm) of steel -- yet the system does not require an exterior building or heavy shielding. The OmniView Gantry System's scanning platform operates by moving on rails past stationary vehicles and cargo. The system is bi-directional allowing for a high throughput of cargo and vehicles. About Z Backscatter Van (ZBV) AS&E's Z Backscatter Van(TM) is a low-cost, highly maneuverable screening system built into a commercially available delivery van. The ZBV employs AS&E's patented Z Backscatter(TM) technology, which reveals contraband that transmission X-rays miss -- such as explosives and plastic weapons -- and provides photo-like imaging for rapid analysis. The ZBV is capable of immediate deployment in response to security threats, and features a high throughput capacity to facilitate rapid inspections. The system's unique "drive-by" capability allows one or two operators to conduct X-ray imaging of suspect vehicles and objects as the ZBV drives past. AS&E's Patented Technology: Z Backscatter X-Rays AS&E's patented Z Backscatter technology produces photo-like images of the contents of a container or vehicle, highlighting organic materials. Based on the X-ray Compton Scattering effect, Z Backscatter technology works by detecting and highlighting "low Z" materials (items that contain low atomic number elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen). Z Backscatter images display organic materials by directing a sweeping beam of X-rays at the object under examination, and then measuring and plotting the intensity of scattered X-rays as a function of the beam position. Z Backscatter technology -- only available from AS&E -- reveals the threats that competitive systems miss, including explosives, plastic weapons, and drugs. About AS&E(R) American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E) is the leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray inspection systems. With over 45 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), Royal Thai Police, HM Revenue & Customs (U.K.) and Hong Kong 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.
CONTACT: Red Javelin Communications, Inc. |
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| "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding American Science and Engineering's business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year. |