TSA awards $7.8 million in security technology grants
The Transportation Security Administration awarded $7.8 million to eight airports, some of which will use the money to shore up security in outlying areas where cargo planes frequently are housed.
T.F. Green State Airport in Rhode Island received two grants totaling almost $2.4 million to acquire an advanced ground radar-based security display system and a video surveillance system to detect unauthorized persons or vehicles inside the airport perimeter.
Newark International Airport in New Jersey received $1.67 million for a specialized video surveillance system for monitoring breaches of the airport perimeter.
Helena Regional Airport in Montana was awarded $1.2 million to purchase and deploy interactive sensors to detect intruders on airport property.
Industry experts have warned in recent reports to TSA that cargo aircraft are vulnerable to terrorist infiltrators when parked on the ground due to the lack of security around the airport and the planes themselves.
