Boeing

Boeing (NYSE: BA) has been selected by the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey to implement a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Operation Safe Commerce pilot program, further expanding the company's position in the homeland security market. The announcement was made today at the U.S. Maritime Security Expo in New York City.

Operation Safe Commerce is a federally funded initiative aimed at improving security of cargo entering ports in the United States and reducing threats to the supply chain. Boeing previously announced a similar pilot program for the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach.

"This project is a vital step in providing security for the more than six million cargo containers that enter the United States by sea each year," said Rick Stephens, vice president and general manager, Homeland Security & Services, for Boeing. "It's also an important measure in deterring terrorist attacks using shipping containers -- attacks that could disrupt American lives and livelihoods, and severely interrupt the global commerce trade system. We want to demonstrate the secure and efficient movement of shipping, from the manufacturer to the point of entry to retailers, while at the same time ensuring and enhancing the system's economics."

The goal of Operation Safe Commerce is to explore commercially viable options that support cargo management systems that keep pace with expanding trade while protecting commercial shipments from terrorists attack. The Boeing pilot program will extend tracking commerce on U.S. highways and railways to ensure the integrity of the containers through the entire supply chain.

The Boeing team is composed of the "best in the business" that includes:

• ADT Security Services, Inc. of Boca Raton, Fla., which develops security technology, systems and services for industry and governments.
• Global Marine Security Systems Company of New York, N.Y., which provides global maritime security, transportation and logistics services.
• Iridium Satellite LLC of Arlington, Va., which provides global satellite wireless communications services.
• Parsons of Pasadena, Calif., an international large-scale project planning, engineering and construction company.

As part of Boeing's network-enabled architecture, the proposed container cargo security system will integrate both a physical security and virtual layer of security into a fused, singular capability that can be employed by both governmental and commercial supply chain users. This demonstration has the objective of securing the supply chain by applying the correct mix of tools to validate the fidelity of the cargo throughout the supply chain while concurrently staying ahead of an asymmetric enemy.

Homeland Security & Services, a business unit of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, is integrating numerous advanced technologies to create a highly sophisticated and multi-layered system that analyzes intelligence, detects terrorist threats, protects critical infrastructure and coordinates a response in the event of an emergency. More information about Boeing's homeland security activities can be found at the Homeland Security website.