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MIAMI, FL, July 21 / MARKET WIRE/ --

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today a pilot of millimeter wave technology at Miami International Airport (MIA). Millimeter wave detects weapons, explosives and other threat items concealed under layers of clothing without any physical contact. It is a promising alternative to the physical pat-down.

"The use of whole body imaging is a significant step forward in checkpoint technology," said TSA Administrator Kip Hawley. "By expanding the use of millimeter wave, we are providing our officers with another tool to enhance security and protect the public from evolving threats."

Millimeter wave is currently in use at Los Angeles (LAX), John F. Kennedy (JFK) in New York, Baltimore-Washington, Denver, Albuquerque, Ronald Reagan Washington, Detroit, Dallas/Fort Worth and Phoenix Sky-Harbor airports.

In Miami, millimeter wave will be used in a random continuous protocol. Alternative screening measures will be offered to individuals who decline to go through millimeter wave.

The pilots enable TSA to examine millimeter wave's operational capability, throughput, training, ease of use, and privacy perceptions by the traveling public. Metal detectors will remain in place at the checkpoints. Each passenger will pass through the traditional metal detector after going through the millimeter wave machine.

MIA's first two millimeter wave machines are in use at Concourse G and Concourse J checkpoints. An additional four machines will be placed in operation later this summer and in the fall.

Millimeter wave at JFK is being piloted as a secondary screening device similar to its use in Phoenix. The technology is a voluntary alternative to a pat-down during secondary screening. During the Phoenix pilot, 90 percent of passengers have chosen the technology over the traditional pat-down.