THE US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is to begin testing air cargo screening technologies in spring at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), according to a report in the UK Aircargo News.

The testing is part of DHS's US$30 million Air Cargo Explosives Detection Pilot Programme (ACEDPP). The CVG pilot programme will focus on assessing the flow and speed of cargo screening, the report explained.

ACEDPP, which started in June 2006, is currently conducting pilot programmes at the San Francisco International Airport and at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The technology tested at San Francisco Airport includes x-ray systems, explosive trace detectors, and automated explosives detection systems. At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the focus is on detecting hidden intruders and stowaways.

The report added that DHS expects new ideas to emerge from the testing that may accelerate future improvements.