NYC subway gets $212m high-tech anti-terror scanners

Lockheed Martin has won a $212m contract to upgrade the electronic security and communications infrastructure of the New York City subway system to help protect it against terrorist attacks.

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has chosen Lockheed as the prime contractor for the three-year deal to design and deploy a command and control-based critical infrastructure protection system across the subway and transit system.

Potential security threats such as unattended bags or packages left on platforms will be detected by the network of cameras and sensors, which are able to identify non-moving objects.

Thousands of cameras and sensors will be installed at platforms and subway stations as part of a sophisticated electronic surveillance and threat detection infrastructure, while mobile phone coverage will be extended underground across the public transport network to aid communications in any emergency situation.

Potential security threats such as unattended bags or packages left on platforms will be detected by the network of cameras and sensors, which are able to identify non-moving objects. Work on the project has already begun and there are options to extend maintenance parts of the contract through to 2013.

New York MTA security director Bill Morange said in a statement: "[Lockheed's] involvement in this programme enables us to move forward with our plans to create a next generation command and control structure that addresses future needs for hardening our transit system against terror threats, and ultimately provide a safer environment for MTA customers."

The UK government and police are also looking at the use of sophisticated high-tech scanning equipment to detect concealed bombs and weapons on London's underground transport system following the terrorist bombings on 7 July.