American Science and Engineering Announces Contract for Development of Linear Accelerators for Non-Destructive Testing of Solid Rocket Motors for NASA Space Shuttle Program.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 2003

NASA Astronaut to Visit AS&E's HES Facility in Santa Clara, California to Observe Development of the Compact Linear Accelerator System

American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AMEX: ASE) (AS&E(R)), announced today an order for its High Energy Systems division (HES) from ATK Thiokol Propulsion based in Promontory, Utah. The order is for the development of high-energy linear accelerators for non-destructive testing of the reusable solid rocket motor (RSRM) for the NASA Space Shuttle Program. The linear accelerators will be used to ensure RSRM manufacturing quality and safety. This first phase of the program is valued at over $600,000.

Anthony Fabiano, AS&E President and CEO, commented, "We are pleased that ATK has selected HES's compact linear accelerator for this phase one development project, and that AS&E technology will play a part supporting the Space Shuttle Program. We are also looking forward to the visit on December 18th, 2003 by NASA astronaut Janice Voss, a veteran of five space flights, to tour our facility in Santa Clara and see the key elements of an inspection system that may assist in ensuring the safety of future space shuttle flights."

About HES: In August 1998 the Company established the High Energy Systems division (HES). HES, located in Santa Clara, California, develops and manufactures linear accelerators for a variety of applications and products, including a proprietary high-energy linear accelerator for the Company's Shaped Energy(TM) technology. The linear accelerators generate high-energy X-rays by accelerating electrons from energy of approximately 20 keV to energies of several MeV using microwave fields created in an evacuated accelerating structure. The accelerated electrons either strike a heavy metal target to generate high energy X-rays, or are extracted in air to produce a propagating high-energy electron beam for various applications. Customers for HES's linear accelerators include the medical, scientific, and military communities, and involve electron beam processing, non-destructive testing, and security screening of dense cargo.

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. AS&E is ISO 9001:2000 certified. For more information about AS&E products and technologies, please visit http://www.as-e.com.

About ATK Thiokol Propulsion

ATK is a leader in the design, development, and production of solid propulsion systems for commercial and government space launch vehicles, strategic missiles, and missile defense interceptors, and high-performance composite structures for space launch vehicles, military and commercial aircraft, satellites, and spacecraft. For more information about ATK Thiokol Propulsion, please visit http://www.atk.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.