American Science and Engineering CEO Addresses the Challenge of Detecting Weapons of Mass Destruction in Cargo at the National Cargo Security Council Conference.

Business/Technology Editors & Health/Medical Writers

BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 14, 2002

American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AMEX: ASE), leader in X-ray detection technology, announced today that CEO and President, Ralph Sheridan, addressed the general session at the National Cargo Security Council (NCSC) 2002 Conference and Exhibition in Scottsdale, Arizona. Sheridan discussed "The Challenge of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Detection in Cargo" as part of a panel presentation entitled "Cargo Crime - Homeland and Global Threats."

Ralph Sheridan commented today, "Global cargo crime represents a $400 billion economic problem consisting of drug and weapons smuggling, cargo theft, trade fraud, cigarette and alcohol smuggling and illegal immigration. Criminals engaged in cargo crime provide avenues for terrorist access to cargo. Currently, there are no specific profiles for detecting radiological, chemical or biological WMD threats in cargo. Hence, the successful detection of these threats requires casting a broader net with cargo screening. The national security goal is to transform maritime and border cargo into a crime-free environment therefore eliminating criminal avenues for terrorist threats."

Sheridan continued, "Successful cargo security requires a combination of Z(R) Backscatter imaging for object identification and material discrimination, transmission imaging for penetration of dense cargo and radiation detection capability for the detection of `dirty bombs' or other radiological threats."

The NCSC is a professional association of cargo transportation and security professionals from the entire spectrum of cargo security: air, truck/rail, maritime, and intermodal. For more information, please visit http://www.cargosecurity.com/.

About American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E(R))

AS&E develops and manufactures sophisticated X-ray inspection products for critical detection and security applications. These systems are solving an expanding range of inspection problems including detecting car and truck bombs, combating weapons smuggling, and imaging cargo to expose trade fraud and illegal immigration. 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 material discrimination features of Z(R) Backscatter imaging with the penetration capability of high-energy X-rays for dense cargoes. 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 AS&E's web site at 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 sole-source component incorporated into the AS&E's products (of which there are several); 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. These and certain other factors which might cause actual results to differ materially from those projected are more fully set forth under the caption "Forward-Looking Information and Factors Affecting Future Performance" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ending March 31, 2002.