Homeland Security

STATEMENT OF STEVEN ZAIDMAN, ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR RESEARCH AND ACQUISITIONS, THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, BEFORE THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON AVIATION, ON THE USE OF EXPLOSIVES DETECTION TECHNOLOGY TO SCREEN CHECKED BAGGAGE. , DECEMBER 7, 2001.

Chairman Mica, Congressman Lipinski, Members of the Subcommittee:

Thank you for inviting me to testify on the availability of technologies to screen for explosives in checked baggage.  With the horrors of the September 11^th attacks not far behind us, we must draw from the same courage that Americans have demonstrated during the last few months to proceed in this new era of aviation security, led by the Transportation Security Administration.

At the outset, I would like to commend the President of the United States for signing the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) into law and this Congress, for their bipartisan efforts that created this legislation -- especially Chairman Young, Chairman Mica, Mr. Lipinski and Mr. Oberstar.  I would also like to echo the sentiments of Secretary Mineta and Administrator Garvey by stating that this new law is a major milestone in the creation of a consistent, high quality, nationwide aviation security force.

The Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) transfers security responsibilities that once belonged to air carriers and security oversight responsibilities that once belonged to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to the newly created Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  We at the FAA are committed to maintain the highest level of dedication to aviation security through the transition of these functions to the TSA.   

FAA has pursued a number of research initiatives since September 11, but prior to the passage of ATSA,, which we hope will help the new TSA ensure that all viable security technologies that can assist the United States in our fight against terrorism are being adequately considered.  In response to one of the recommendations made by the rapid response teams convened by Secretary Mineta in the aftermath of September 11, the FAA was tasked with working with both government and private sector technical experts to identify beneficial security technologies that are ready for deployment, as well as those technologies that merit accelerated development.  The goal of FAA, and subsequently now TSA, is to identify technologies that can be deployed, both short term and long term, which can significantly augment the screening of passengers, carry-on items, checked luggage, cargo, United States mail, and airport and airline employees. 

On October 25, the FAA convened its security research and advisory committee, chaired by John Klinkenberg, Vice-President for Security for Northwest Airlines, to evaluate over 1,000 technology recommendations made to the FAA by various industry sources.  The committee's goal was to identify the most promising technologies for providing early security benefits to the flying public, and promising longer term technologies worthy of accelerated development as well as their suggested implementation strategies.  On November 20, 2001, just one day after the enactment of ATSA, the committee provided the Administrator with a report on their initial recommendations.  With respect to explosives detection, the report suggests that all checked baggage, hold cargo and cabin supplies should be inspected.

In addition, last week, the FAA sponsored its third International Aviation Security Technology Symposium in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  This symposium featured numerous sessions on diverse security topics including human factors, deployment of new explosives detection equipment, emerging technologies, aircraft hardening initiatives, cargo screening, and integrated security systems.  Attendees had the opportunity to view, first hand, vendors' security technologies.  The symposium, which was co-sponsored by the National Safe Skies Alliance, Airports Council International, Air Transport Association, and the American Association of Airport Executives, was planned before the terrorist attacks, but became that much more critical for identifying those technologies that can help meet the challenges we face in this new era of heightened aviation security. 

Now that I have provided an overview of some of our most recent security initiatives, I would like to briefly describe FAA's ongoing efforts to enhance security through explosive detection systems (EDS).  Prior to September 11, EDS was primarily used to screen checked bags belonging to persons identified by the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPS).  CAPPS allows the air carrier to focus EDS screening on certain passengers whom we cannot discount as potential threats to civil aviation, based on parameters developed within the counter-terrorism community and reviewed by the Department of Justice to ensure that the methods of passenger selection do not result in illegal discrimination.  CAPPS also selects passengers on a random basis for additional screening. 

In the aftermath of September 11, FAA committed to increasing the number of randomly screened passenger bags.  As of yesterday, 161 EDS were deployed at airports across the country, an increase of 25 EDS in less than three months.  Furthermore, EDS are now running continuously at those airports to which they have been deployed, CAPPS has been adjusted based upon information we have obtained during the weeks since the attack, and passengers and their carry-on items are being screened on a continuous basis at the boarding gate.

While ATSA's mandates present challenges in the area of explosives screening, we recognize that only in meeting these challenges will we restore Americans' confidence in the security of the aviation system.  In order to meet the December 31, 2002 goal of 100 percent EDS screening of all checked bags, over 2,000 EDS must be deployed -- that's over 1,800 more than we currently have.  Today, products of two EDS vendors have been certified and variations of these products are currently going through the certification process.  Consequently, the Department and the TSA will need to work with the companies that manufacture these machines to see how quickly they can produce more of these systems and work must continue to explore all new technologies being developed by manufacturers for the next generation of screening technologies.

In addition to enhancing production of existing EDS and exploring next generation EDS products, FAA has been working on a program called Argus to develop a smaller and less expensive version of EDS currently in use.  Based upon our research and testing, we believe that the equipment, once certified, will be suitable for use at small airports because it will have a lower processing rate and it will be smaller than existing FAA-approved EDS.  It is, however, expected to be at least as reliable as and substantially less expensive than those EDS currently used to screen checked baggage.  FAA fully funded the research and development for three vendors in the Argus program.  One vendor's system is expected to begin the certification process by mid January and the other two vendors are expected to begin the certification process next spring.  Most importantly, all three vendors are expected to complete the certification process in time to be deployed before the ATSA's EDS screening deadline.

In addition to EDS, FAA is currently purchasing explosives trace detection (ETD) devices from the three vendors with FAA-approved products.  These devices can detect the presence of explosive materials in a passenger's checked or carry-on bags.  As of last Friday, FAA had installed 851 ETD devices in 180 airports across the country.

Just as the new legislation raises the bar for aviation security, it also challenges us to develop new ways to meet more stringent security measures.  Simply to make sure that we are not missing anything that is out there, FAA issued an announcement, prior to ATSA, that appears on our web site (www.faa.gov) requesting information about any product or technology that could be helpful in improving aviation security and, in particular, explosives detection.  As you can imagine, this requires sorting through a great deal of information, which we look forward to sharing with the Department and the TSA.  So, while there does not appear to be a single technology that addresses all of our security concerns, we are committed to working through the various options available to us. 

ATSA provides the Secretary of Transportation, the FAA Administrator, the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security and the entire Administration with the tools to ensure that the nation's air transportation system operates with the highest levels of safety possible.  During the transition of aviation security functions, FAA special agents are following Secretary Mineta's direction to crack down on airport and air carrier security deficiencies by taking decisive steps, including clearing concourses, re-screening passengers, and even holding flights where appropriate.  This action reflects both the Department's and the FAA's unyielding commitment to civil aviation security and the restoration of public confidence in the nnation's air transportation system.  It is clear that through constant vigilance, the application of new technologies and procedures, and assistance from its national and international partners, the Department of Transportation, and the new TSA will succeed in their civil aviation security mission.

In a democracy, there is always a need to balance freedom and security.  Our transportation systems, reflecting the value of our society, have always operated in an open and accessible manner, and we are working hard to ensure that they will do so again.

This concludes my prepared remarks.  I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.