U.S. Gov't OKs Hitachi's Explosives Trace Detection System

TOKYO, July 20 (Kyodo) -- Hitachi Ltd. said Wednesday it has won certification from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration for its explosive trace detection system, becoming the first non-American firm to do so.

The certified system for use at airports detects traces of explosives through an analysis of the surface of substances that have adhered to special wipe sheets used to swab carry-on and other luggage under inspection.

Since last year, the Japanese company has delivered the detection system to Japanese and Thai airports for a unit price of 25 million yen.

Hitachi is targeting sales of 10 billion yen in the field of physical security systems over the next three years -- 6 billion yen worth in the United States and 2 billion yen each in Japan and Southeast Asia.