Aviation security innovation gets funding boost

The Defence and Security Accelerator has said that up to £1 million will be available to industry and academic experts with enterprising ideas that enhance aviation security measures.

Courtesy of the Future Aviation Security Solutions (FASS) programme, a joint initiative between the Department for Transport (DfT) and Home Office, the funding will provide up to £1 million for innovative solutions that can boost the screening of passengers and cargo at airports.

This will build on existing aviation threat detection capabilities by encouraging industry and academia to come up with novel ideas that reinforce screening processes at UK and international airports.

In particular, the Defence and Security Accelerator is interested in receiving proposals for the development of hand-held solutions that will help detect both metallic and non-metallic threats on the body while reducing the need for person-person contact, particularly in harder-to-search areas of the body.

Security Minister Ben Wallace said: “Ensuring that the UK is a world leader in aviation security is a key objective of the government’s counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. This is another example of bringing together government, industry and experts to ensure that the UK remains on the front foot and a global leader in the development of technologies that keep the public safe. I look forward to seeing new ideas which improve security and make for a better experience at airports for passengers.”