American Science and Engineering, Inc. Receives Order from New Zealand Customs Service for Z Backscatter Van X-ray Screening System.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 30, 2004

Auckland Container Ports to Enhance Trade Security with AS&E's Innovative ZBV 

American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AMEX: ASE) (AS&E(R)), a leader in X-ray detection technology, announced today the receipt of an order from New Zealand Customs Service for a Z(R) Backscatter Van(TM) (ZBV), the fifteenth system sold to date. Valued at approximately $900,000, the order includes the Radioactive Threat Detection (RTD) option, as well as installation, operator training, spare parts and a four-year extended warranty. New Zealand Customs Service selected the ZBV to screen cargo and vehicles, primarily exports, for threats at container ports in Auckland and beyond.

"This order from New Zealand Customs Service supports AS&E's latest marketing and sales initiative - a global campaign to promote the revolutionary Z Backscatter Van," said Anthony Fabiano, President and CEO. "The ZBV is a first-of-its-kind, drive-by X-ray screening system providing fast, maneuverable operation in a cost-effective package. The ZBV can detect explosives and radioactive threats, such as dirty bombs and nuclear WMD, simply by driving alongside a container and producing a photo-like Z(R) Backscatter image of the contents. Other mobile X-ray systems are more expensive, and cannot achieve the ZBV's rapid, accurate results. The ZBV has tremendous potential overseas, and our marketing and sales group is working diligently to introduce the system in key international markets."

A breakthrough in X-ray detection technology, AS&E's Z(R) Backscatter Van(TM) (ZBV) is a low-cost, extremely maneuverable screening system built into a commercially available delivery van. The ZBV employs AS&E's patented Z(R) Backscatter technology, which reveals contraband that transmission X-rays miss - such as explosives and plastic weapons - and provides photo-like imaging for rapid analysis. The ZBV allows for immediate deployment in response to security threats, and its high throughput capability facilitates rapid inspections - without impeding the flow of commerce. The system's unique "drive-by" capability allows one or two operators to conduct X-ray imaging of suspect vehicles and objects while the ZBV drives past.

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 and other factors which may cause delays in production and delivery schedules; litigation seeking to restrict the use of intellectual property used by the Company; potential product liability claims against the Company; failure of any of our products to meet performance requirements or to continue to operate reliably because of unexpected design flaws or manufacturing defects, 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.