HYTEC’s Forensics Inspection Station (FIS)™
CONOPS: FIS systems are used for critical inspection of items in the two areas of security and industrial/government configuration items (CIs).
CONOPS: Security. All parcels, cargo pallets and shipping containers being brought into the secure port or facility area are screened rapidly for the presence of contraband, explosive, and radiological weapons, as well as for other WMDs. Once any screening technique has identified a potential weapon or target of interest, a more detailed inspection must take place. This inspection usually takes place in the quarantine area. The system used for this inspection is the Forensics Inspection Station (FIS)™. FIS systems may also be used for the initial scanning, especially cargo pallet and shipping container scanning, when run in a higher speed, slightly lower resolution mode.
CONOPS: Industrial/Government CIs. Detailed analysis of critical parts, especially the inspection of failures, failure modes, and/or failure propagation is a specialized field. Critical elements of such inspections include identification of non-spec aspects, precise measurements, the ability to annotate, and the certainty that data integrity has been maintained – all within a system providing distributed, remote, and collaborative handling of that data. Key areas include:
Aircraft Components, Automotive/Land Vehicle Components, Railcars, Large Castings, and High NiCr Alloyed Metals Inspection.
Acceptance of FIS. The FIS systems manufactured and fielded by HYTEC has been adopted by the US Department of Justice (FBI), the Department of Defense (DOD: specifically, the US Navy, NSA, Defense Intelligence Agency), and NASA. Figure 1 shows one of the field-portable smaller object FIS systems. Figure 2 shows an installed Navy system on the West Coast of the US, and Figure 3 shows a cabineted system installed in another location.
The FIS consists of the following components: a HYTEC FlashCT® 3D scanning system, two self-contained computer racks (each containing up to 48 3.4 GHz processors on a high speed [10 Gigabit] intranet – one rack for data processing and the other for data storage and encryption with telecommunicating capability, including antenna), either a 6 or a 9 MeV Linear Accelerator, and up to 300 feet of remote fiber optic cable connecting to the control station and the operator’s console. The FIS may be built into a building, a shipping container, or a trailer (for rapid deployment). 
Figure 1. This is a photograph of the field portable FIS for rapid deployment upon discovering a potential Improvised Nuclear/Explosive Device (built for the Joint DOE/DOD Weapons Response Group).
Figure 2. This photo shows the FlashCT subsystem of an FIS installed at a Navy facility in the USA. (The “R” in the product identifier is for “Rail,” since the system can be relocated by moving it along the rails visible on either side of the operator.)
Figure 3. Shown here is a cabineted FIS system installed in a West Coast laboratory.
Overview of FIS Product Line
The HYTEC FIS is a product line containing three different types of systems: small, portable systems, cabineted (non-portable) systems, and systems which require separate buildings.
All FIS systems are designed to be operated either locally or remotely, their output data can be studied locally or remotely, and all implement a “stitching” algorithm which allows out of order CT even in the high speed scanning of units up to 1.5m x 1.5m.
Small, Portable FIS Systems. There are three systems in this category. One is the Gunny Box; another is the field deployable digital radiography FIS system, and the third is the Weapon Response unit shown earlier in Figure One.
The Gunny Box is a long shelf life, lightweight, and easily used field radiography and limited tomography system delivered in a “foot locker.” Its name is drawn from the intended user: the Marine Corps guard detail at an embassy or high value target building (the NCOIC of such a detail is often a Gunnery Sergeant, a “Gunny”). When someone has discovered a suspicious package or parcel, this system is used to “see inside” without disrupting or damaging the contents.
The Gunny Box contains a field portable computer (ruggedized laptop, specially configured), two detectors, a rugged x-ray emitter, foldable frames for holding the accelerator and the detector in place, batteries and extension cords, and two replaceable storage arrays (customized “hard disk drives”). A storage array can be shipped off after use and another put in its place. Finally, an optional second computer contains an encryption unit.
Lately, the Gunny Box has become popular with non-embassy customers, notably high value buildings of all types and remote high value shelters.
The P-100 Field Portable, originally designed for the U S Navy, is a field digital radiography system not designed to be used outside a secured area. Designed to be used by certified radiographers, it is principally used in the exploitation of discovered ordnance, parcels, pallets, and rounds. It can also be used to plan Render Safe procedures.
 Figure 4. The P-100 Field Portable Computer Storage and Processing Arrays and the Control and Interface Unit (on top) shown under final test.
The Weapons Response System is also field portable but used primarily for larger weapons or parcels. It is designed to be used by Joint DOD/DOE response teams and Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams. The easily assembled “arms” are made of extremely rigid yet lightweight composites; the “ring,” which is very stiff and holds the detector is the correct position relative to the emitter, is also delivered in sections which are easily assembled; the detector transporter not only holds the detector but also moves it into up to nine positions allowing coverage of a 1m by 1m package; the emitter is held in position by the frame shown in Figure One. This frame rotates around the ring and the detector moves at the same rate (always 180° opposite). In this way, the Team can image the large object from any side, at any location. The “man carry” specification indicates that two persons, in three trips, can move and set up the system and similarly remove it.
Larger, Cabineted Systems. There are several sizes and a range of capability in cabineted systems. The smallest is 2.25m (H) x 1.5m (W) x 2.5m (L) and the largest is 3m (H) x 4m (W) x 5m (L); the smaller units operate in the KeV range and the larger ones in the MeV range. Each cabineted system is fully shielded and can be placed in any enclosed location (not outside in the elements). The location must be capable of weight loads ranging from 1T – 10T. Single phase 220V is required.
The 1600, 2250, and 4250 systems are, respectively, 160 KeV, 225 KeV, and 425 KeV systems useful for inspecting items ranging from backpacks to large rounds. The 1000, 3000, 6000, and 9000 room size systems are useful for examining large packages, pallets, shells, rockets, and missiles.
Figure 5. Shown are the building blocks of the high energy portable system used in forensics work on rockets and missiles. Not shown is the manipulator assembly which holds the object and the emitter.
Most systems are delivered with two computer systems, one for processing the data and one for encrypting and telecommunicating the data. The software used in the systems is the HYTEC copyrighted and protected FlashCT® VIZ™. Encryption is handled according to NSA guidelines; additional special systems are available under special order.
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