Eagle Mobile Cargo Inspection System Begins Operation at the Port of Savannah, Ga.; Eagle Receives ``Best of the Best'' R&D 100 Award from R&D Magazine
"The Eagle system was developed with the support of US Government funding to specifications required by US Customs and Border Protection," said Dr. Robert A. Armistead, President of ARACOR. "The Eagle is very maneuverable and can operate within a port environment where space is frequently limited. It can penetrate approximately 15 inches of steel while inspecting for contraband such as weapons of mass destruction."
"The US Government is only inspecting approximately 5% of shipping containers currently entering US ports. We believe that the Government wants to increase this percentage, but technology, resource and land limitations have posed an obstacle," stated Ajay Mehra, President of OSI Systems Security Group. "The Eagle system will enable CBP to increase the number of containers inspected while greatly improving the quality of those inspections."
The Eagle's high-energy X-ray imaging system can produce a high-resolution image of a 20-foot container in less than 10 seconds. The system's combination of high-quality x-ray imaging and mobility is a major advantage over fixed-site systems, which require a large dedicated plot of land, and backscatter systems, which have poorer penetration and resolution than the Eagle.
Eagle Recognized as "Best of the Best" by R&D Magazine
R&D Magazine has recognized the Eagle mobile cargo inspection system as the 'Best of the Best' amongst the 100 most technologically significant products introduced into the marketplace during 2004. A large panel of independent technical experts worked with the editors of R&D Magazine to select this year's award winners, which included companies from North America, Europe and Asia, as well as US national laboratories.
About ARACOR
ARACOR, a subsidiary of OSI Systems, Inc., and part of the OSI Security Group, manufactures cargo inspection systems; develops and manufactures x-ray test and inspection systems for industrial nondestructive evaluation and process control applications; and provides research services in related areas. ARACOR is a leading manufacturer of digital radiographic (DR) and computed tomography (CT) systems. Its DR and CT products include high-resolution systems used for characterizing electronic components and advanced materials and high-energy systems designed for inspecting large, highly-attenuating structures such as castings, rocket motors, nuclear weapons and cargo containers. For more information, please visit www.aracor.com.
About OSI Systems, Inc.
OSI Systems Inc. is a Hawthorne, California based diversified global developer, manufacturer and seller of security and inspection systems, medical monitoring products, and optoelectronic-based components, as well as a provider of engineering and manufacturing services. The company has more than 30 years of experience in electronics engineering and manufacturing and maintains offices and production facilities located in more than a dozen countries. OSI Systems implements a strategy of expansion by leveraging its electronics and contract manufacturing capabilities into selective end product markets through organic growth and acquisitions. For more information on OSI Systems Inc. or any of its subsidiary companies, visit www.osi-systems.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include information regarding our expectations, goals or intentions about the future, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the growth of our install base of large cargo inspection systems, service revenues and service contracts. The actual results may differ materially from those described in or implied by any forward-looking statement. In particular, there can be no assurance that such growth will occur either at their expected rates or at all. Other important factors are set forth in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.