American Science and Engineering, Inc. Honors Nobel Laureate in Physics, Former AS&E Executive, with Donation of Early Experiments to Smithsonian.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21, 2002

National Press Club Event Included Donation,

Roundtable with Dr. Riccardo Giacconi

American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AMEX: ASE), today recognized the outstanding contributions of Nobel Laureate Dr. Riccardo Giacconi. Four of the original instruments that helped to revolutionize X-ray astrophysics were donated to the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum, at a National Press Club conference. Dr. Giacconi, considered "The Father of X-ray Astronomy," conducted many of his early and critical experiments at AS&E when the company was a private research firm during the 1960s and 1970s.

Today's press conference included a roundtable discussion on current and future applications of X-ray technologies. Dr. Giacconi participated in the discussion with Dr. Anne Kinney, Director of NASA's Astronomy and Physics division, and Dr. Joseph Callerame, Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, AS&E.

Dr. Callerame commented, "The work done by Dr. Giacconi in 1962 and for over a decade thereafter at AS&E revolutionized astrophysics and profoundly changed our understanding of the cosmos. Giacconi's groundbreaking works in X-ray detection laid the foundation for AS&E's proprietary technology for counterterrorism and security applications."

Dr. Giacconi is currently president of Associated Universities, Inc., the corporation that co-administers the National Radio Astronomy Observatory with the National Science Foundation. For a complete biography, please contact Jackson Bain or Laura Berman (contact information follows).

AS&E develops and manufactures sophisticated X-ray inspection products for critical detection and security applications. These systems are solving an expanding range of inspection problems including detecting car and truck bombs, combating weapons smuggling, and imaging cargo to expose trade fraud and illegal immigration. 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 material discrimination features of Z(R) Backscatter imaging with the penetration capability of high-energy X-rays for dense cargoes. 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 sole-source component incorporated into the AS&E's products (of which there are several); 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. These and certain other factors which might cause actual results to differ materially from those projected are more fully set forth under the caption ``Forward-Looking Information and Factors Affecting Future Performance'' in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ending March 31, 2002.