| Washington D.C. - April 24, 2008 – The Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation today held a hearing to review the aviation security-related research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities of the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), and to explore how these support the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the aviation industry, and passengers.
“Aviation continues to be a target, as evidenced by the publicized liquid explosives plot from 2006 and the attempted attack by ‘shoe bomber’ Richard Reid in 2001,” noted Ranking Member Phil Gingrey (R-GA). “But there is no easy, all-encompassing solution. Against a cunning and committed enemy, we must continually review and refine our defenses and seek out new ideas and technologies that will better nullify the threats against us. We must also recall that this is but one challenge to implementing an effective, efficient, and evolving defense of our homeland.”
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) also mentioned the difficulty of developing technologies to deter an ever-changing enemy, saying, “There is an obvious and immediate need for improvements in aviation security within the U.S. and around the world. Airlines continue to be targeted for attack, and new types of threats are being exposed everyday. We need the help and support of scientists and engineers to defend against the wide variety of explosives and weapons that could be used in an attack.”
The Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL), a component of DHS S&T, hosts specialized facilities for RDT&E of innovative technologies for detecting threats to the transportation sector. In addition to basic and applied research and technology development, TSL carries out certification, qualification, and assessments of technologies developed by private industry for use by TSA. TSA determines the security strategy and priorities for RDT&E based on continuing risk assessments and operational experience, while TSL provides technical support and lab testing.
Testifying on behalf of DHS S&T, Dr. Susan Hallowell, Director of TSL, praised the work being done at the laboratory saying, “TSL combines a profound awareness of terrorist capabilities with penetrating insight about the operational environment. By applying fundamental understandings of science, systems engineering, and test and evaluation protocols, the Laboratory is a unique national asset that is perfectly positioned to continue providing effective technology solutions for national security. The TSL stands proudly behind the fact that every piece of security technology presently deployed in the nation’s airports has at some point traveled through our doors.”
A common theme throughout the hearing was a balance of providing tough security for passengers and airline personnel, without overly burdening travelers. Mr. Adam Tsao, Chief of Staff at the Office of Operational Process and Technology at TSA said that “The needs of people must continue to drive the focus of transportation security.”
He continued, “The American people and the traveling public require a transportation infrastructure that can be secured without the expense of unreasonable burdens. The strength of these relationships has been fundamental to our progress and must continue to remain a focal point as we move forward.”
Also testifying at today’s hearing were: Dr. Jimmie Oxley, Professor of chemistry at the University of Rhode Island and co-director of the DHS Center of Excellence for Explosives Detection, Mitigation, and Response; and Dr. Colin Drury, Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University at Buffalo.
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