American Science and Engineering, Inc. Introduces Second Generation Z Portal Cargo and Vehicle Screening System.

Multi-view, Drive-through Screening System Offers High-Throughput and Maximum Detection Capability

BILLERICA, Mass. -- American Science and Engineering, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASEI) (AS&E([R])), a worldwide leader in X-ray detection technology, announced today the launch of its second generation Z Portal([TM]), a high-throughput, drive-through cargo and vehicle screening system with multi-view Z([R]) Backscatter([TM]) imaging to detect stowaways, explosives, and other contraband. Z Portal is the only portal system available that can produce images from three sides of the object under examination Co for left, right, and top-down screening of the cargo.

"With its leaner streamlined design, Z Portal provides the safest and most effective drive-through screening system for congested security checkpoints," said Robert Postle, AS&E's Vice President of Worldwide Marketing and Sales. "Z Portal's use of AS&E's proprietary Z Backscatter technology allows for safe scanning of the entire vehicle so that the driver can remain in the cab. This significantly speeds up the screening process and facilitates the flow of traffic at checkpoints and border crossings. Z Portal offers our customers a flexible design, available in two sizes, that is easily integrated with existing high-energy inspection systems for maximum detection capability."

High-throughput, Multi-View Detection Capability

AS&E's Z Portal[TM] is a multi-view, drive-through inspection system capable of scanning cars, vans, trucks, and their cargo for concealed threats and contraband. The Z Portal produces photo-like images, which offer material discrimination and highlight organic contraband, such as, explosives, drugs, stowaways, and alcohol. With its compact profile, the Z Portal system is ideal for high-traffic locations with space constraints and a high-throughput requirement. The Z Portal system is safe for drivers, operators, cargo, and the environment. The system can be configured with up to three Z Backscatter imaging modules and provides a left, right, and top-down view of the vehicles under examination. The relocatable screening system is available in two sizes Co one for large trucks, buses, and cargo vehicles, and a smaller size for passenger vehicles.

AS&E's Patented Technology: Z Backscatter X-Rays

The Z Portal employs AS&E's patented Z Backscatter technology, which produces photo-like images of the contents of a container or vehicle, highlighting organic materials. Z Backscatter technology based on the X-ray Compton Scattering effect, works by detecting and highlighting "low Z" materials (items that contain low atomic number elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen). AS&E creates Z Backscatter images showing organic materials by directing a sweeping beam of X-rays at the object under examination, and then measuring and plotting the intensity of scattered X-rays as a function of the beam position. Z Backscatter technology Co only available from AS&E Co reveals the threats that competitive systems miss, including explosives, plastic weapons, and drugs.

About AS&E[R]

American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E) is the leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray inspection and screening systems. With more than 45 years experience in developing advanced X-ray security systems, the Company's product line utilizes a variety of technologies including patented Z([R])Backscatter([TM]), Shaped Energy([TM]) and Radioactive Threat Detection (RTD). These technologies offer superior detection of threats including plastic explosives, plastic weapons, illegal drugs, other contraband, dirty bombs and nuclear devices. AS&E offers a complete range of X-ray inspection products including Z([R]) Backscatter screening systems, CargoSearch([TM]), and ParcelSearch([TM]) inspection systems, used for critical detection and security applications to combat terrorism, drug and weapon smuggling, trade fraud, and illegal immigration. AS&E customers include leading governmental agencies, border authorities, military bases, airports and corporations worldwide, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Royal Thai Police, HM Customs & Excise (U.K.) and Hong Kong Customs. For more information on AS&E products and technologies, please visit 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.