Morpho Detection Awarded U.S. DHS R&D Contracts for Shoe Scanning Device Prototypes

NEWARK, CA--(Marketwire - May 3, 2012) - Morpho Detection, Inc. (MDI), the explosives and narcotics detection business of Morpho, Safran group's security unit, today announced it has received two research contracts from the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) for the development of shoe scanning device (SSD) prototypes.

Valued at more than $1.4 million, these contracts call for the development of two SSD prototypes that integrate multiple threat-detection technologies including MDI's advanced quadrupole resonance (QR), ITMS™ (Ion Trap Mobility Spectrometer) trace technology and mass spectrometry (MS). These awards are expected to further the development of next-generation solutions that may allow air passengers to leave their shoes on during security screening.

"We are pleased to be selected to continue our years-long work in advancing shoe scanning technology in collaboration with DHS," said Brad Buswell, president and CEO, Morpho Detection, Inc. "Investment in advanced technologies by industry and government is crucial to realization of greater effectiveness, efficiency and convenience in airport screening. These awards are great examples of such public-private cooperation to address a pressing security challenge and a longstanding passenger irritant."

"We are honored DHS has recognized the potential MDI's advanced technologies have for solving the shoe scanning challenge," said Jay Hill, executive vice president, global strategy & technology, MDI. "Development of a high-performance SSD will go a long ways toward reducing screening times while bringing new efficiency and accuracy to the process."

The devices addressed by the two R&D contracts will result in the integration of various advanced explosive and non-explosive threat detection technologies into separate MS- and QR-based SSDs.

MDI has worked with U.S. government agencies for more than seven years to develop and deploy integrated shoe-scanning technology into checkpoint security screenings.

For more information on Morpho's detection products, visit www.morphodetection.com.

About Morpho Detection, Inc.
Morpho Detection, Inc., part of Morpho, a security business of the Safran group (PARIS: SAF), is a leading supplier of explosives and narcotics and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) detection systems for government, military, air and ground transportation, first responder, critical infrastructure and other high-risk organizations. Morpho Detection integrates computed tomography, Raman spectroscopy, trace (ITMS™), mass spectrometry, X-ray and X-ray Diffraction technologies into solutions that can make security activities more accurate, productive and efficient. Morpho Detection's solutions are deployed to help protect people and property the world over.