During the 1980s the United States Federal Aviation Administration developed the thermal neutron analysis (TNA) automated explosive detection system for screening luggage taken aboard commercial air carriers. Six airport systems combining TNA and x-ray were built and deployed under a variety of conditions. This is an unclassified review of the deployment and the difficulties encountered when a system using a nuclear method to detect explosives is put into the field. The mechanical system, radiation safety, use of accelerators, system calibration, simulated explosives, types of luggage, and the test and evaluation procedures are reviewed.
|