SPO-7R™ – Concealed-threat stand-offpeople screening security system

SPO-7R™ is a real-time stand-offpeople screening security system. It iseffective in the detection of concealedobjects which could pose a securitythreat whilst people are stationary oron the move. The system is intuitiveand easy to use, requiring no specialistqualifications and can be deployed byexisting security staff.

The system was developed in theUnited Kingdom by QinetiQ to identifypotential security threats concealed onthe human body. It is effective atdetecting a range of threat itemsincluding liquids and non-metallicthreat objects.

QinetiQ’s innovative use of passiveMillimeter Wave (mmW) technologyhas created a safe and effective stand-off threat detection capability that hasbeen successfully trialled, proven anddeployed in many locations in theUnited States. The latestimplementation of SPO-7R, the Mark IIvariant, benefits from a number ofimprovements based on our USdeployment experience.

SPO-7R is flexible enough to be rapidlydeployed either overtly or covertly bothinside a building or outdoors. It isrobust, lightweight and waterproofand has the ability to scan over 300people an hour at distances of up to 14metres (46 feet).

• Practical approach tomulti-threat peoplescreening

• True stand-off (up to14m) concealed threatdetection capability

• No privacy issues

• Robust design, suitablefor both indoor andoutdoor screening

• Integrates with existingsecurity measures andinfrastructure

• Tripod or ceiling mountoptions available

• 100% passive – safe forthe public

SPO-7R™ MARK II

For more information please contact:

Customer Contact TeamQinetiQCody Technology ParkIvely Road FarnboroughHampshire GU14 0LXUnited KingdomTel +44 (0) 8700 100942www.QinetiQ.com

Copyright © QinetiQ ltd 2009QinetiQ/AT/DS/PUB0900117

SPO-7R™ is a Trade Mark of QinetiQ Ltd.

The SPO-7R MK II is the latest iterationin the SPO family. Its additionalfeatures include:-

• Reduced size • Tripod, wall and ceiling mount

options • Close integration with existing

security and IT infrastructure via Ethernet

• Enhanced range

The MK II allows the system to bemore easily and flexibly deployedwhilst enhancing the existingdetection capability of the Mark I byincreasing its stand-off range. QinetiQhas worked closely with its customersin the development of appropriateconcept of operations (CONOPS). In ourexperience these are particular to theintended deployment scenario. Thesystem uses an innovative sensingtechnique to determine the probabilityof a threat being present on a person.

The SensorTraditionally X ray and metal detectionsensors have been used to screenpeople at security checkpoint locationse.g. airports. However, these methodsof screening aren’t well suited to otherpublic environments where largenumbers of people need to bescreened. SPO-7R is based on a passivemillimetre wave sensor which usesnaturally occurring radiation.Therefore SPO-7R emits no radiationand is completely safe. SPO-7R is aselective mass screening device whichcan scan at ranges of up to 14 metres.This is adequate for most crowdedenvironments. The tripod option isportable allowing flexible deploymentand mobility whilst the ceiling mountoption provides an unobtrusive andconstant surveillance facility. SPO-7Rcan be used both indoor or outdoorsand in all weathers.

Operational trials have shown that thesensor can scan more than 300 peoplein an hour with trained operators.There are no privacy issues because nomillimetre wave (mmW) or tera hertz(THz) images of people are captured ordisplayed, unlike competitor systems.

The output of the sensor is displayedon a monitor with a CCTV image of theindividual. The presence or otherwiseof a threat is indicated by a red-greenthreat bar at the side of the image. Itis designed to work with industrystandard infrastructure, with operatorssited either at the sensor or in theCCTV control room.

Concept of OperationsAs with any security device the key toits effectiveness is the response ofsecurity personnel to a potentialthreat. SPO-7R is ideally adapted tooperate in a layered security operation.QinetiQ develops a detailed Concept ofOperations (CONOPS) with thecustomer. The CONOPS can be readilymodified and adapted to suit differentscenarios.

Behavioural AnalysisQinetiQ can also provide customerswith behavioural analysis training insupport of SPO-7R deployments. Thiscan be used in combination withSPO-7R either to identify a portion ofthe population to scan with SPO-7R, orto further assess the threat potentialof an individual whom the SPO-7R hasidentified as carrying a concealedobject.

Trials SPO-7R has been extensively trialledand proven at over a dozen masstransit locations and has been thesubject of extensive explosivescreening trials conducted by theAmerican Transportation SecurityAdministration (TSA). This includesscreening of passengers boarding theStaten Island Ferry at the St GeorgeTerminal in Staten Island, New York.

It was also deployed during the 2008US presidential elections at the twomain airports serving both republicanand democratic parties at Minneapolisand Denver.

Trials are currently being conducted inEurope and the Middle East.