American Science and Engineering, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2009 Results and Declares Quarterly Dividend.

The Company Reports Record Revenues and Net Income for the Quarter

BILLERICA, Mass. -- American Science and Engineering, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASEI) (AS&E([R])), a leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray inspection solutions, today reported its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 ended December 31, 2008. The Company reported record revenues of $65,290,000 as compared with revenues of $42,615,000 for the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, net income of $10,059,000 as compared with net income of $4,002,000 for the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, and earnings per share of $1.13 as compared with earnings per share of $0.43 for the third quarter of fiscal year 2008. This represents a 53% increase in revenues and a $0.70 increase in earnings per share when compared to the third quarter of the prior fiscal year.

For the first nine months of fiscal year 2009 ended December 31, 2008, the Company reported revenues of $161,077,000, which represents an increase of 29% as compared with revenues of $124,713,000 for the same period in the prior fiscal year, net income of $20,109,000 as compared with net income of $14,689,000 for the same period in the prior fiscal year, and earnings per share of $2.26, which represents a $0.70 increase in earnings per share as compared with earnings per share of $1.56 for the same period in the prior fiscal year.

"This is another record quarter -- revenues increased more than 50% and gross profit margin increased more than eight points to 44% from the same period one year ago," said Anthony Fabiano, AS&E's President and CEO. "Revenue growth in the quarter was driven by a robust demand for our Z Backscatter Vans, AS&E's proprietary cargo products, and field services. Operating income significantly increased in the quarter with improved gross margins from higher revenues, significant improvement in cargo margins, and continued focus on controlling overhead and expenses. These strong results were enabled by the successful execution of our strategies to grow revenue and earnings to increase shareholder value over the long-term."

In accordance with the previously announced dividend program, the Company is declaring a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share, payable on March 5, 2009 to the holders of record at the close of business on February 16, 2009.

To participate in the conference call, please follow these instructions:

As previously announced, Anthony Fabiano, President and CEO, and Ken Galaznik, Senior Vice President, CFO and Treasurer, will host the conference call on Monday, February 9, 2009 at 4:30 pm ET to discuss the results and respond to questions. To participate in the conference call, please dial 1-866-831-6272 at least 10 minutes prior to its starting time. For international participants, dial 1-617-213-8859. Please tell the Operator the confirmation code: 18227315. You will be placed on hold until the conference call is ready to begin.

An audio replay of the teleconference will be available, in its entirety, starting Monday, February 9, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. ET for a 48-hour period by dialing 1-888-286-8010. Internationally, please dial 1-617-801-6888. The conference identification number is 43730174. The replay will also be available at www.as-e.com in the Investor Information section following the conference.

About AS&E([R])

American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E) is the leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray inspection systems. With 50 years of experience in developing advanced X-ray security systems, the Company's product line utilizes a combination of technologies, including patented Z Backscatter technology, Radioactive Threat Detection (RTD), high energy transmission and dual energy transmission X-ray. These technologies offer superior X-ray threat detection for plastic explosives, plastic weapons, liquid explosives, dirty bombs and nuclear devices. AS&E's complete range of products include cargo inspection systems for port and border security, baggage screening systems for facility and aviation security, and personnel and passenger screening systems. AS&E systems protect high-threat facilities and help combat terrorism and trade fraud, drug smuggling, weapon smuggling, and illegal immigration and people smuggling. AS&E customers include leading government agencies, border authorities, military bases, airports and corporations worldwide, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), HM Revenue & Customs (U.K.), Hong Kong Customs, and Abu Dhabi 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 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.

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