American Science and Engineering, Inc. Achieves ISO 9001:2000 Registration; Completion of Rigorous Compliance Audit Underscores AS&E's Commitment to Quality.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 24, 2003

American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AMEX: ASE) (AS&E(R)), a leader in X-ray detection technology, announced today that its Quality Management System has been registered to the ISO 9001:2000 International Standard. Developed by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO), ISO 9001:2000 is a globally recognized standard that emphasizes the incorporation of quality management principles that drive continuous improvement of business processes and systems that yield total customer satisfaction.

"I am delighted to announce the results of the ISO 9001:2000 certification audit," said Anthony Fabiano, President and CEO. "Earning registration reinforces the company tradition of making quality 'a way of life' throughout the organization. AS&E's world-class X-ray inspection products and services reflect this company-wide commitment. To exceed the requirements of our customers and maintain ISO compliance, AS&E's Quality Management System will continue to maintain and improve quality processes and procedures in all aspects of company operations."

AS&E's ISO 9001:2000 certification audit was administered by Quality Management Systems, Incorporated, a Registrar Accreditation Board (RAB) accredited registrar based in Florida. In the future, AS&E will undergo additional compliance audits to provide assurance of measurement systems, performance and continuous improvement. ISO 9001:2000 is the revision of the ISO 9001:1994 Standard, to which AS&E was registered in March 2001.

About ISO: ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the source of the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 families of quality and environmental management standards and some 14,000 International Standards for business, government and society. ISO is a network of national standards institutes from more than 140 countries working in partnership with international organizations, governments, industry, business, and consumer representatives. The ISO 9001 involves all phases of a company's operations, including design, production, test, installation and service.

About AS&E(R): American Science and Engineering, Inc. develops and manufactures state-of-the-art X-ray inspection systems for homeland security and other critical defense applications. AS&E continues to innovate, create and develop new products by investing in new ideas through research and development, and evolving its technology to meet the needs of an ever-changing world. AS&E's patented Z(R) Backscatter technology detects plastic explosives, illegal drugs, and other contraband, even when artfully concealed in complex backgrounds by terrorists and smugglers. AS&E's Shaped Energy(TM) X-ray inspection systems combine the material discrimination features of Z(R) Backscatter imaging with the penetration capability of high-energy X-rays for dense cargoes, without the problems caused by excessive radiation. AS&E's High Energy Systems Division manufactures linear accelerators for a variety of applications including medical, scientific, security, electron beam curing and non-destructive testing. For more information on AS&E products and technologies, please visit http://www.as-e.com.

Safe Harbor Statement. The foregoing press release contains statements concerning AS&E's financial performance, markets and business operations that may be considered ``forward-looking'' under applicable securities laws. AS&E wishes to caution readers of this press release that actual results might differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Factors which might cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements contained herein include the following: significant reductions or delays in procurements of the Company's systems by the United States and other governments; disruption in the supply of any source component incorporated into AS&E's products; litigation seeking to restrict the use of intellectual property used by the Company; potential product liability claims against the Company; global political trends and events which affect public perception of the threat presented by drugs, explosives and other contraband; global economic developments and the ability of governments and private organizations to fund purchases of the Company's products to address such threats; and the potential insufficiency of Company resources, including human resources, capital, plant and equipment and management systems, to accommodate any future growth, and future delays in federal funding. These and certain other factors which might cause actual results to differ materially from those projected are detailed from time to time in AS&E's periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which important factors are incorporated herein by reference. AS&E undertakes no obligation to update forward looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or changes in future operating results, financial condition or business over time.