Southern Regional Radiological Pilot Project (SRRPP)

The SRRPP is designed as a test bed for the National Radiological Pilot Program (NRPP) that will procure, install, deploy, test and evaluate an integrated system of nuclear/radiological detectors in an integrated operational environment within the Charleston, SC Harbor and its vicinity.  The Charleston Harbor Operations Center (C-HOC) more commonly known as Project SeaHawk, is comprised of a consortium of Federal, State and local agencies serving as an operational partner for the implementation and evaluation of a nuclear/radiological detection system tasked with providing an integrated operation operating environment to affect improved port security.  SeaHawk was formed under the auspices of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antiterrorist Task Force initiative.  The SRRPP, in close cooperation with Project SeaHawk, will endeavor to add another layer to the “defense in depth” strategy envisioned through Project SeaHawk.

The Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP), in coordination with the DHS RPPO, provided grant funding, while the Transportation Security Administration’s Office of Maritime and Land Security (MLS), contributed additional program management funding and government furnished equipment to this project.  Early in the collaboration, ODP and TSA MLS sought the assistance of the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center – Southeast Region, a program of the National Institute of Justice, to manage the project and provide coordination with Project SeaHawk.  Oversight of the SRRPP is also being provided by the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), a DHS entity, which is staffed by representatives from Federal, state and local agencies as part of the national nuclear threat protection effort.

The goal is to evaluate and assess advanced radiation, and nuclear detection technologies and to provide a model for other metropolitan regions in the design, implementation, and operation of similar detection and response systems.  The technologies selected for deployment will support layered detection and response systems that can be networked, integrated, and scalable.  The systems approach envisioned will permit future expansion to include explosives, chemical, meteorological, and biological sensors.  From this pilot project, lessons learned are shared nationally through comprehensive reports.  Additionally, the project will assist industry and key state and local stakeholders in preparing action plans to respond to radiological and nuclear terrorist acts against the rail, trucking, maritime, and mass transit industries.

High-Energy Port Inspection System (Port of Charleston, SC)

High-energy x-ray inspection device scans trucks for contraband Deployed at Port of Charleston to help combat terrorism Under the operations of Project SeaHawk and US Customs and Border Patrol

The National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center-Southeast Region (NLECTC-Southeast), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) Project Seahawk and U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), announced the receipt of a $3.4 million grant from DOJ for the purchase and installation of American Science and Engineering’s, Inc. (AS&E) OmniView™ Gantry Inspection System. The OmniView Gantry System will be deployed at the Port of Charleston to protect against security threats and contraband smuggling.

OmniView Gantry Inspection System

The OmniView Gantry System provides up to 6 MeV high-energy transmission inspection for high penetration into inspected objects — through 14 inches (350 mm) of steel — yet the system does not require an exterior building or heavy shielding. The OmniView Gantry System’s scanning platform operates by moving on rails past stationary vehicles and cargo. The system is bi-directional, allowing for a high throughput of approximately two trucks per scan or 24 trucks per hour.

AS&E is the leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray inspection and screening systems. With more than 45 years experience in developing advanced X-ray security systems, the Company’s product line utilizes a variety of technologies including patented Z® Backscatter™, Shaped Energy™ and Radioactive Threat Detection (RTD). These technologies offer superior detection of threats including plastic explosives, plastic weapons, illegal drugs, other contraband, dirty bombs and nuclear devices.

NLECTC-Southeast strives to provide the law enforcement community with innovative technology and advanced detection equipment that will assist the field officers in the War on Terrorism and securing our nation’s ports.