Incheon International Airport Corporation Localizes Foreign-Dependent Airport Security Screening Equipment Through Joint Development with an SME

[Financial News] An AI-based circular security screening system jointly developed by Incheon International Airport Corporation and a domestic SME has obtained international security-performance certification. The achievement lays the groundwork for localizing airport security screening equipment previously dependent on German and U.S. products and for entering overseas markets. The corporation plans to pursue commercialization after field validation and support exports in connection with its overseas projects.
Incheon International Airport Corporation announced on the 16th that SSC 2000, an intelligent circular security screening system jointly developed with SSTLabs, had received final security-performance certification from the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC).
The equipment was developed under a market-expansion project of the SME Technology Innovation Development Program run by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. Incheon International Airport Corporation jointly invested in the project with the ministry and has conducted localization research with SSTLabs, a domestic security-solutions specialist, since October 2024.
SSC 2000 combines nonionizing millimeter waves with an AI-based deep-learning algorithm. In addition to metals, it can detect nonmetallic materials such as plastics and liquids that are difficult for conventional metal detectors to identify.
During the screening process, the system displays the location and shape of hazardous items in real time on a three-dimensional (3D) avatar. Incheon International Airport Corporation explained that its AI deep-learning technology can detect hazardous items, including liquid, powder, and plastic explosives, more precisely than existing equipment.
The equipment passed ECAC’s security-performance certification review on the 3rd. Following the certification, Incheon International Airport Corporation plans to conduct technical validation for field deployment and improve the system’s security suitability for actual operating environments as part of its commercialization efforts.
Airport circular security screening systems have so far relied on equipment from foreign companies such as Germany’s Rohde & Schwarz and U.S.-based Leidos. Incheon International Airport Corporation expects this development to reduce the airport security sector’s reliance on foreign equipment and strengthen technological self-reliance.
The corporation will also support the development of overseas sales channels. It plans to promote exports of the domestically developed screening system through customized marketing linked to its overseas projects.
Kim Beom-ho, acting president of Incheon International Airport Corporation, said, "By localizing core source technologies for airport security through collaboration with domestic companies, we expect to reduce foreign-currency spending and expand exports in the future. We will continue to fulfill the social responsibilities of a public corporation and contribute to the development of the national aviation industry by expanding support for joint research and technology development with outstanding SMEs."
[email protected] Kim Dong-ho Reporter