Aviation Security Development - Research Paper Example

?Aviation Security Development The Aviation Security Improvement Act (ASIA) came into existence on November 16, 1990, after being signed into law by the then President Bush. Some two years earlier, the Pan Am Flight 103 was attacked and blown off while flying over Scotland (Price and Forrest, 2008). This attack was determined to be an act of terrorism against Americans. ASIA was formed in order to strengthen the security at the airports and during flights. It also incorporated technological innovations to detect flight explosives and other attempts to harm the flight journeys (Wells and Rodrigues, 2004). The responsibility of the act’s implementation is shared among airlines and airports. The airports’ responsibility is to ensure that only those who have authorized access to the airfield can get in. the responsibility of airlines under ASIA is to screen passengers and baggage. Most airlines normally contract the services of private security companies to carry out the screenings. Under the Airports Security Improvement Act, it is the responsibility of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to regulate the overall activities of airports, security companies and airlines. A shift has occurred on the emphasis and need of aviation security as a response to emerging incidences in the recent past (Elias, 2009). ASIA was passed into law in an effort to accelerate the development of an efficient Explosive Detection System (EDS) as a means of enhancing security in airports and airlines. According to Price and Forrest (2008, p14), the Security Act also required FAA to certify the EDS that could “alone or as part of an integrated system detect under realistic air carrier operating conditions the amounts, configurations, and types of explosives which would be likely to be used to cause catastrophic damage to commercial aircraft.” This means that the EDS that were certified had to have mechanisms that could detect the slightest portions of explosives in passengers and their luggage. Explosive Detecting Systems (EDS) Explosive Detection Systems are machines that have been design to work like MRIs. EDS machines are used to analyze the contents of passengers bags before they board an airplane. The explosion of the Pan Am flight in Scotland could have been avoided had there been effective explosives’ detection mechanisms in place at the airport. The explosion was caused by a minimal amount of semtex which is highly explosive plastic. The semtex was well hidden in a cassette recorder that had been packed in a travel suitcase. After this incident, all airlines were required to purchase advanced machines that could detect explosives (Price and Forrest, 2008). The best at this time was the Thermal Neutron Analysis (TNA) machine which was not effective enough to detect certain levels of explosives such as the one that caused the Pan Am flight to crush. Another problem of TNA machines was that they were quite expensive, cumbersome and too heavy. The ineffectiveness of these machines is what led to the development of explosive detection systems. EDS machines work by blowing or wiping a piece of cloth over a passenger or baggage in order to detect the smallest amounts of explosive residue (National Security Council, 1996). The use of EDS has been approved for the following reasons: To increase the resistance of aircraft to bomb blasts. EDS machines have the ability to detect very minute amounts of explosive residues, even when they are very well hidden. Since most bombs are made using explosive materials, EDS can be used to detect and find them before they can make their way into aircrafts (General Accounting Office, 1994). The use of EDS is also approved a means of ensuring maximum security at airports. These systems are very effective in the detection of explosive material that can cause a security nightmare in airports and aircrafts (Elias, 2009). By making use of the detection machines, would be terrorists and other people with ill intentions will think twice before bringing anything that is considered insecure in airports. The use of EDS machines to detect explosives also increases the chances of aircraft survivability. Since the machines can detect the smallest amounts aof explosive materials, there is likelihood that the undetected explosive residues would be too little to cause any major harm to an aircraft (National Security Council, 1996). This means that the plane can fly over a long distance and land safely without much damage to its system. The cargo and passengers in the flight are also likely to suffer minimal or no injuries at all in case of an explosive incident during flight. Although the use of EDS machines has greatly improved security at airports, there are some challenges that have yet to be resolved. On of this is the fact that only a limited number an size of objects can be placed on an EDS machine at any one given moment. This requires the objects being screened to be placed in containers, a process that consumes more time than necessary. Another issue of concern is the high rates of false alarms that result from the use of EDS machines in screening. Any detection of explosives normally requires further secondary screening which often shows that there are no explosives. Such false alarms and the subsequent secondary screenings normally waste a lot of time and can cause delays in flight schedule. The inadequacies associated with EDSs have led to the development of new technologies that are used for the purposes of aviation safety and security (Zellan, 2003). Developing New Technologies Screeners are the new technologies that are used to detect any items and or persons who are thought to be a security threat. Screening machines enable airport and airline personnel to search passengers and their luggage before they get onboard. Screening passengers : all passengers are required to undergo thorough searches and screening before they are allowed to board a plane at airports. To assist in time and cost effective screening, many airlines are currently using computer assisted passenger screening or what is commonly referred to as CAPS. This system helps in determining the individuals who need to undergo further screening in a bid to beef up security. The use of passenger screening, and especially CAPS, does not condone the use of race, nationality or even religion as a screening factor (National Security Council, 1996). Screening baggage: One of the common systems used in baggage screening is the Threat Image Protection machine. These machines have the ability to screen a certain number of bags at a go. If there is a weapon or any item that is unwanted in the airport, its image will appear on the machine’s screen and it is the screener’s responsibility to determine whether or not the image should be of concern or not (General Accounting Office, 1994). Chemical trace detection systems are also commonly used to screen passenger baggage. This system is normally used to detect any anomalies during secondary screenings. The ever-increasing threat of aviation security has led to the development of Neutron Beam technologies as a means of detecting bombs and other explosive items hidden in passenger baggage (Elias, 2009). Document scanner: The document scanner was developed in September 2004. This explosives trace detection document scanner can detect the smallest traces of explosives in the boarding passes and licenses of passengers. The scanner sweeps the surface of a document and analyzes the samples collected. If it detects any explosives, it alerts the person performing the screen, who can then go ahead and carry out extensive screening procedures (Wells and Rodrigues, 2004). Hardened containers: Another important technological development in the area of aviation security is the hardened container. These containers are designed to enable an aircraft to withstand a bomb explosion. The use of hardened containers could come in handy if detection mechanisms fail to detect a bomb that has been set to go off during a flight. The hardened containers are made of blast resistant materials and are placed in luggage compartments of aircrafts. The containers have shown evidence of increasing aircraft survivability, thus minimizing damage on the aircraft, baggage and even the passengers (National Security Council, 1996). The Benefits of ASIA The enactment of the ASIA bill into law came with various benefits that saw the security of airports and airlines enhanced in a big way. Cases of aircraft hijacking have been minimized since the enactment of this law. Cargo crime and baggage sabotage cases have also subsided (Zellan, 2003). The law also deters terrorists from boarding aircraft and placing explosive items in planes. The law has also done a lot to encourage the development of detection technology that ensures that items that could lead to fatal incidences do not make their way inside passenger or even cargo aircraft (Elias, 2009). By deterring cargo contraband theft and various other cargo crimes, ASIA makes aviation services more acceptable and trusted (Wells and Rodrigues, 2004). Passengers also feel safe when they know that there is a law against actual and attempted terrorist attacks on aircraft. ASIA can be said to have achieved its main goal, which was to keep the aviation sector secure. However a lot more needs to be done in terms of detection technology so that passengers and airlines are not inconvenienced in any way (Price and Forrest, 2008). Conclusion The FAA has done a lot to ensure that aviation security measures are upheld. During the 1990s, and especially after the signing of the Aviation Security Improvement Act into law, there were major developments in security technologies which were designed to ensure that screening was as effective as possible. However, it remains a fact that FAA still has a long way to go, considering the screening technology that is currently in use is not as effective as it is supposed to be. There is need for more research that will result in the development of more cost effective, less cumbersome and 100% effective screening devices. This will ensure that airlines, airports and aircrafts enjoy undisturbed security at all times. References Elias, B. (2009). Airport and aviation security: U.S. policy and strategy in the age of global terrorism. Boston, MASS: CRC Press. General Accounting Office. (1994). Aviation Security: Development of new security technology. Washington, DC: Diane Publishing Company National Research Council Commeitte on Commercial Aviation Security. (1996). Airline passenger security screening: New technologies and implementation. New York: National Academies. Price, J.C. and Forrest, J.S. (2008). Practical Aviation Security: Predicting and Preventing Future Threats. New York: Butterworth-Heinemann. Wells, A.T. and Rodrigues, C.C. (2004). Commercial Aviation Safety. New York: McGraw-Hill. Zellan, J. (2003). Aviation security: Current issues and developments. New York: Nova Science publishers. Read More