Passenger security scanners for Heathrow Airport

R&S QPS201 scanners will be rolled out across the airport, ensuring that all passengers, staff and contractors accessing airside locations are scanned on entry. The installation enables the airport to achieve its vision of a secure and safe environment whilst at the same time providing a positive passenger experience by making their journey through the airport as fast and efficient as possible.

“Heathrow Airport is the latest leading international airport to adopt the R&S QPS201, reinforcing our position as the go-to solution for airports around the world,” said Frank Mackel, Vice President Sales Europe, Rohde & Schwarz. “This scanner addresses the three key airport requirements: high accuracy of threat detection, low frequency of false alarms to minimise time consuming manual pat-downs, and fast throughput to reduce passenger wait times even at busy periods.”

Heathrow Airport sought a solution that fully addressed current security and throughput requirements but is also being continuously developed and improved to meet future security needs. It was impressed with Rohde & Schwarz commitment to upgrade its scanners with new algorithms after they have entered service. It allows an easy, hands-down posture for scanning, which is comfortable while at the same time ensuring effective screening for safety and security. A full body scan is completed in seconds, and any suspect objects are indicated on an image to preserve passenger privacy.

The R&S QPS201 security scanner from Rohde & Schwarz features technology, which increases sensitivity to further boost threat detection, while reducing false alarms and processing time. In addition to strengthening security, these performance gains reduce post-alarm manual checks and so help avoid physical contact to ensure social distancing.

The security scanner restores parity to baggage- and personnel-scanning times, helping security staff manage throughput at checkpoints and avoid excessive queueing. Leveraging Rohde & Schwarz expertise in technology, and utilising machine-trained software algorithms, R&S QPS201 detects all types of potentially dangerous objects.