In a significant technology deployment completed within the last 48 hours, Smiths Detection has fully rolled out its next-generation 3D Computed Tomography (CT) X-ray security screening technology across all passenger terminals at Heathrow Airport.
This live deployment — part of Heathrow’s broader £1 billion terminal upgrade programme — sees advanced CT scanners replace older systems for cabin baggage screening at every checkpoint across the airport’s terminals. The new systems are designed to enhance threat detection and streamline passenger movement without added inconvenience.
What Technology Has Been Deployed
The deployed systems are the HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX units, a generation of 3D X-ray scanners that use real-time computed tomography to produce detailed volumetric images of baggage contents. Unlike older 2D or limited 3D imaging systems, these scanners allow security teams to examine full 3D models of items inside luggage — including their shape, density, and composition — without the need for passengers to remove liquids, laptops, or other electronics.
This technology increases both security performance and throughput by combining:
- Automated threat detection enabled by AI-driven image analysis
- High-resolution 3D imaging that reduces false alarms
- Improved passenger convenience by reducing manual bag checks
Who Deployed It and Where
Smiths Detection, a leader in transport security solutions, has completed the full terminal-wide installation at Heathrow — one of the world’s busiest airports, handling tens of millions of passengers each year. The deployment covers all cabin baggage lanes in all operating terminals, bringing uniform security performance across the entire hub.
Operational Benefits and Capability Gains
For Heathrow, this deployment brings several key advantages:
- Faster passenger flow: The 3D scanners reduce the need for manual bag checks, cutting down queues and wait times without sacrificing security.
- Higher detection accuracy: Advanced imaging and integrated AI help identify potential threats with more precision and fewer false positives.
- Operational resilience: Standardizing on a modern CT platform simplifies maintenance and training across the airport’s security teams.
The full deployment also aligns Heathrow with global aviation security standards, incorporating C3 compliance — the highest performance standard for explosives detection systems in cabin baggage.
Why This Matters Now
Completed within the last couple of days, this live rollout showcases how AI-driven imaging systems are transitioning from pilot projects into full operational infrastructure in critical public settings.
As airports worldwide face rising passenger numbers and evolving security threats, deployments like Heathrow’s signal a broader shift toward real-time, intelligent screening technologies that can handle scale without bottlenecks. By operationalizing CT imaging with AI support at every terminal, Heathrow is enhancing both safety and capacity — a key competitive and regulatory differentiator for global hubs in 2026.
