Rockville - UPI
New passenger screening and security equipment are being installed at airports in two U.S. regions by the TSA and Lockheed Martin.Lockheed said its contribution to the effort under two contracts from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration is to help integrate and deploy the equipment.The task order awards are worth a total of $72 million and feature a one-year base performance period with a one-year option.\"Lockheed Martin has partnered with TSA to test, evaluate, and install security equipment at U.S. airports since 2009,\" June Shrewsbury, vice president of Citizen Protection Solutions at Lockheed Martin IS&GS-Civil said. \"We\'re honored that TSA chose to continue expanding that partnership.\"Together, we face a challenging mission. Each airport is unique and always in operation and the threats are constantly evolving. Our goal is to rapidly deploy technologies that ensure both safety and freedom of movement for the flying public.\"Under the orders, Lockheed Martin will assist TSA in deploying passenger screening technologies including Advanced Imaging Technology equipment and software upgrades. The work will involve a complex integration of electrical systems, wireless technologies and existing airport infrastructure.Lockheed Martin will perform the installations at about 300 airports across the east and central regions. Work has already begun at airports in the eastern United States.