The Department of Homeland Security‘s science and technology directorate has opened a facility at DHS’ Transportation Security Laboratory in New Jersey for testing and evaluation of explosives detection systems.
DHS said Wednesday the new T&E building, located at the William J. Hughes Federal Aviation Administration Technical Center, includes space for specialized explosive storage and handling as well as multi-laboratory infrastructure built to assess blast mitigation, contraband and explosives detection technologies.
The facility will also help TSL assess commercial explosives detection equipment designed for checkpoint environments and check-in luggage inspection areas.
“At TSL, their call to action is to address the “what could happen,” said Robert Griffin, DHS acting undersecretary for science and technology.
“To answer this call, they conduct special studies to ensure we identify and correct vulnerabilities before they play out in a real-world event,” Griffin added.
DHS added it established the T&E facility to allow TSL scientists and engineers to conduct performance tests on commercial, military and non-traditional explosives as well as share their findings with the Transportation Security Administration, DHS components and other government agencies.
