Breakthrough Innovation Designed to Support Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative
RESTON, Va., Feb. 5, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- With new passport regulations
now in effect and reinforcing the critical concern to upgrade security
around U.S. borders, Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has developed a high
tech, first- of-its-kind personal ID system to significantly protect and
facilitate entry and exits at the nation's key checkpoints.
The Personal Authentication Device, or PAD, incorporates two-way, ultra
high radio frequency and biometrics to facilitate automatic identification
into a credit card-sized ID and relay system that can identify and track
quickly and efficiently.
The card can be read up to 30 feet away as well as in a moving vehicle
up to 60 miles per hour. It can be set up away from a border to allow
agents of ports of entry to review information from multiple users
simultaneously. The PAD uses a secure, biometric fingerprint technology on
a simple ID card. When pressed, the card validates (or invalidates) the
fingerprint and transmits the information by radio wave in a secure code to
a server.
The new security regulation requires any American traveling by air to
Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean or to Central or South America to carry a
passport.
"Last week's passport requirement marked the first step of a major
tightening of border travel among the Americas as part of the Western
Hemisphere Travel Initiative. The Homeland Security initiative underscores
how U.S. border travel is becoming increasingly more serious and
complicated," said Guy Swope, senior biometrics architect for Raytheon
Information Solutions.
He added, "With an estimated 13,000 trucks alone crossing through the
Mexican-US border daily, Raytheon set out to be the first to create the
next generation of travel ID card that not only secures the person's
identity but also is sufficiently portable to track people quickly and
efficiently through a busy border or customs gate.
"The PAD is uniquely suited for the Department of Homeland Security,
U.S. military and other high level security agencies," Swope said. "It
represents a quantum leap in an age where security is foremost -- and delay
unacceptable."
The new air requirement is part of the Department of State and the
Homeland Security's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and was one of the
recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The current passport regulation
focuses on air travel but is expected to be extended to travel by land or
sea as early as next year. Moreover, all new passports issued later this
year will be equipped with an imbedded smart chip designed to thwart
forgery.
Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $20.3 billion, is an industry
leader in defense and government electronics, space, information
technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft.
With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs more than 80,000
people worldwide.
Contact:
Chris Grandis
703.849.1502
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com/
CONTACT:
Chris Grandis for Raytheon Company,
+1-703-849-1502
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