Facing public opposition, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reports that all controversial backscatter millimeter wave units have been equipped with ATR - a new tool to insure some personal privacy when going through airport security and that the manufacturers contract has been canceled.
"Rapiscan was unable to fulfill their end of the contract and create the ATR software that would work with backscatter units. As a result, TSA terminated the contract with Rapiscan in order to comply with the congressional mandate."
The millimeter scanner drew fire from critics who said the machines violated personal privacy with near 'nude' images of travelers and were too intrusive. There were also health concerns with the full body scanners.
TSA said all Rapiscan AIT units currently operational at checkpoints around the country, as well as those stored at the TSA Logistics Center, will be removed by Rapiscan at their expense and stored until they can be redeployed to other mission priorities within the government, TSA said.
Congress mandated as a part of the The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 that all TSA body scanners should be equipped with ATR by June 1, 2012 There has since been an extension to June 1, 2013, TSA noted.
Most of the backscatter units being removed will be replaced with millimeter wave units. The millimeter units will be moved from the inventory currently deployed at other airports and from an upcoming purchase of additional millimeter wave units.
By June 1, 2013 travelers will only see machines which have ATR. This means faster lanes for the traveler and enhanced security, TSA says.
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