American Science and Engineering, Inc. Receives Contract for OmniView(TM) Gantry Cargo and Vehicle Inspection System from a U.S. Government Agency; High-Energy Inspection System to Secure the Port of Charleston.

BILLERICA, Mass. -- American Science and Engineering, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASEI) (AS&E(R)), a leader in X-ray detection technology, announced today the receipt of a $3.4 million contract from a U.S. Government Agency for its OmniView(TM) Gantry Inspection System. The OmniView Gantry System will be deployed at the Port of Charleston to protect against security threats and contraband.

"The relocatable OmniView Gantry is an ideal solution to secure our nation's ports," said Anthony Fabiano, President and CEO. "AS&E is working closely with this U.S. Government Agency to provide state-of-the-art technology to efficiently inspect containerized cargo. As part of the total security strategy at the Port of Charleston, the OmniView Gantry System will be utilized to inspect 'high-risk' containers for explosive threats and contraband. The System's high penetration capability enables the Port Authority to inspect very dense and complex cargo while providing a rapid cycle-time for inspection. As the busiest seaport along the Southeast and Gulf coasts(1), the Port of Charleston requires the high-throughput capability that OmniView offers."

OmniView Gantry Inspection System

The OmniView Gantry System provides 6 MeV high-energy transmission inspection for high penetration into inspected objects -- up to 14 inches (350 mm) of steel -- yet the system does not require an exterior building or heavy shielding. The OmniView Gantry System's scanning platform operates by moving on rails past stationary vehicles and cargo. The system is bi-directional allowing for a high-throughput of approximately 2 trucks per scan, 24 trucks per hour.

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.

(1) South Carolina State Ports, "Fact Sheet," May 3, 2006, www.port-of-charleston.com/About_the_Port/statistics/Statistics.asp (accessed May 12, 2006).