American Science and Engineering, Inc. Receives a Service and Maintenance Renewal Contract from U.S. Government Valued Up To $22 Million

The first phase of the contract is funded at $18.3 million

BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 22, 2008--American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E(R)) (NASDAQ: ASEI), a leader in X-ray detection technology, announced today the receipt of a $22 million two-phased service renewal contract from the U.S. government to support their fleet of Z Backscatter Vans(TM) (ZBV(TM)). The contract includes service, support, spare parts, and labor warranty for a significant quantity of Z Backscatter Vans located in high-risk areas. The first phase of the contract is funded at $18.3 million.

"The U.S. government has demonstrated its confidence in AS&E for the fourth year in a row to provide support for their fleet of Z Backscatter Vans overseas," said Anthony Fabiano, President and CEO. "It is a high priority for our Field Service organization to maintain these ZBVs at optimal performance for the most critical counterterrorism missions. We continue to hear positive field reports from our customers on the ZBV's performance and our service. Also, we are very grateful for the continuing opportunity to serve this most valued customer."

AS&E's Z Backscatter Van(TM): The Most Maneuverable, Versatile Mobile Screening System on the Market

A breakthrough in X-ray detection technology, AS&E's Z Backscatter Van is the Number One selling non-intrusive mobile inspection system on the market. The ZBV is a low-cost, highly mobile screening system built into a commercially available delivery van. The ZBV allows for immediate deployment in response to security threats, and its high throughput capability facilitates rapid inspections. The system's unique "drive-by" capability allows one or two operators to conduct X-ray imaging while the ZBV drives past suspect vehicles and objects. For personnel safety in dangerous environments, a remote console is available for operating the system in stationary mode from a distance of up to 500 meters.

AS&E's Patented Z Backscatter X-Ray

The ZBV leverages the Company's patented Z Backscatter X-ray technology -- a proprietary, industry-leading capability that reveals the threats that competitive systems miss -- including explosives, plastic weapons, and drugs. Z Backscatter technology produces photo-like images of the contents of a container or vehicle, highlighting organic materials. Based on the X-ray Compton Scattering effect, Z Backscatter technology works by detecting and highlighting "low Z" materials (items that contain low atomic number elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen). Z Backscatter images display organic materials by directing a sweeping beam of X-rays at the object under examination, and then measuring and plotting the intensity of scattered X-rays as a function of the beam position.

AS&E's Worldwide Service and Support

AS&E's highly skilled Field Service Engineers (FSEs) provide support services worldwide. Each FSE, with a technical degree in electrical and mechanical engineering or equivalent experience, is trained in the operation and repair of electronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, mechanics, electrical systems, and computers. Available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, FSEs are located at AS&E offices in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.