RTX Corporation Wins DARPA X-ray Imaging Contract

RTX BBN Technologies, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation, has been awarded a contract by the U.S. United States===DARPA (DARPA) under the X-ray Extreme-range Non-imaging Analysis (XENA) program. The program aims to develop algorithms for long-range X-ray imaging, enabling the reconstruction of hidden geometries of man-made objects from distances up to one kilometer. This technology will allow operators to assess concealed threats or structures in situations where direct access is limited or unsafe. Joshua Fasching, principal investigator at RTX BBN Technologies, emphasized the need for a fundamentally different technical approach for long-range X-ray imaging compared to conventional scanners. The project involves mathematical modeling, image analysis techniques, simulations, software development, and testing. The BBN-led team includes researchers from the Georgia Tech, with work conducted in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Atlanta, Georgia. The research is intended to provide military and emergency response personnel with crucial information about concealed hazards, weapons, or structural vulnerabilities beyond the reach of current portable X-ray systems.