American Science and Engineering
American Science and Engineering was a U.S. developer and manufacturer of X-ray imaging and security-screening systems.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
American Science and Engineering, commonly known as AS&E, was an American science and security-technology company founded in 1958 by physicist Martin Annis. The company began with advanced scientific and engineering work, including projects connected with NASA and space-based X-ray astronomy, before developing a substantial commercial and government business in inspection and security equipment. AS&E’s early scientific work contributed to the development of X-ray astronomy. In collaboration with researchers including Bruno Rossi and Riccardo Giacconi, the company supported rocket experiments that identified Scorpius X-1, the first known extrasolar X-ray source. Its technical contributions also helped advance the Einstein Observatory, launched in 1978 as the first satellite-borne X-ray telescope capable of producing full X-ray images. Work on soft-X-ray focusing optics supported solar observations and later space-science programs, including observations associated with Skylab and subsequent solar observatories. The company later became best known for applying X-ray science to non-intrusive inspection. Its portfolio included both transmission X-ray and backscatter X-ray systems. Backscatter imaging detects radiation scattered from the surfaces of objects and can be useful for identifying organic materials, explosives, narcotics, weapons, and other concealed items that may be difficult to distinguish with conventional transmission systems. AS&E developed inspection products for people, baggage, vehicles, cargo, border crossings, ports, airports, military locations, critical infrastructure, and other controlled environments. Among its notable technology areas were body-scanning systems, which were initially developed for detecting contraband on or within clothing and were later adapted for aviation-security applications. The company also developed high-energy vehicle and cargo inspection equipment, portable and mobile systems such as the Z Backscatter Van, and commercial computed-tomography technology. Its product families included Z Backscatter systems, Gemini vehicle and cargo inspection systems, and SmartCheck personnel-screening equipment. AS&E operated for decades as an independent publicly traded company under the ASEI ticker. In June 2016, OSI Systems, through its Rapiscan Systems business, offered to acquire the company for approximately $269 million. The transaction received regulatory and shareholder approval and was completed before the end of 2016. Following the acquisition, AS&E ceased to operate as an independent listed company and its activities became part of OSI Systems’ security-inspection portfolio. The historical AS&E name is therefore associated primarily with the acquired company and its technology heritage rather than with a currently independent public corporation.
History
American Science and Engineering was established in 1958 by physicist Martin Annis, who invited George W. Clark to join the new enterprise. The company’s initial identity was rooted in advanced science and engineering rather than commercial security equipment. It undertook development work connected with NASA and assembled a scientific team that included prominent physicists. Bruno Rossi served as chairman of the board, while Riccardo Giacconi worked with the company as a consultant. During its early period, AS&E participated in experiments that helped establish X-ray astronomy as a field of observational science. At Rossi’s urging, the company supported rocket-borne detector experiments that led to the identification of Scorpius X-1, the first extrasolar source of X-rays. Its work on X-ray optics and detectors also contributed to the Einstein Observatory, launched in 1978 with the first full-imaging X-ray telescope placed on a satellite. Related developments in soft-X-ray optics enabled solar observations and contributed to research programs involving Skylab and later solar-observatory missions. Under Annis, who served as president from the company’s foundation until 1993, AS&E continued to develop X-ray technologies while broadening its commercial and government applications. The company produced an early fourth-generation computed-tomography scanner for commercial use in 1976. It also moved toward security inspection, where X-ray imaging could be used to examine objects and people without opening containers or conducting physical searches. AS&E became particularly associated with backscatter X-ray imaging. Unlike transmission systems, which form images from radiation passing through an object, backscatter systems use radiation scattered from a target’s surface. This approach can provide useful contrast for organic substances and other materials that may be challenging to identify through conventional methods. The company applied the technology to the detection of concealed contraband and explosives, vehicles, cargo, baggage, and people. One important application was body scanning. AS&E initially developed body-scanning equipment for prison and corrections environments, where authorities needed to detect concealed contraband. The technology was later adapted for airport security and became part of the wider development of passenger-screening systems. The company also offered transmission X-ray equipment, high-energy cargo systems, mobile inspection platforms, and integrated solutions for airports, seaports, border crossings, military sites, and critical infrastructure. Its product families included Z Backscatter systems, the mobile Z Backscatter Van, Gemini systems for vehicle and cargo inspection, and SmartCheck personnel-screening equipment. These products allowed AS&E to serve customers requiring different combinations of mobility, penetration, throughput, and imaging detail. AS&E was publicly traded for part of its history under the ASEI ticker. In June 2016, OSI Systems proposed to buy the company for approximately $269 million. The transaction proceeded through regulatory and shareholder approvals and was completed before the end of that year. Rapiscan Systems, an OSI Systems business, became the acquiring platform. AS&E consequently stopped operating as an independent listed company, and its products and capabilities were incorporated into OSI Systems’ broader security-inspection activities. The company is therefore best understood today as a historical corporate entity and technology lineage within the OSI Systems and Rapiscan Systems context.
- 2016
OSI Systems announces acquisition proposal
[1]OSI Systems offered approximately $269 million to acquire AS&E through Rapiscan Systems.
- 2016
Acquisition completed
[1]The approved transaction closed before the end of 2016, ending AS&E’s independent public-company status.
- 1993
Martin Annis leaves the presidency
[1]Annis’s tenure as AS&E president ended after more than three decades leading the company.
- 1978
Einstein Observatory launches
[1]AS&E’s scientific and engineering work contributed to the Einstein Observatory, the first satellite mission equipped with a full-imaging X-ray telescope.
- 1976
Commercial fourth-generation CT scanner
[1]AS&E produced a fourth-generation computed-tomography scanner for commercial use.
- 1958
American Science and Engineering is founded
[1]Martin Annis founded AS&E and brought George W. Clark into the new company. Its early work focused on scientific and engineering development, including projects associated with NASA.
- 1958
Bruno Rossi becomes chairman
[1]The astrophysicist Bruno Rossi joined AS&E as chairman of the board and helped guide its scientific programs.
Rocket experiments identify Scorpius X-1
[1]AS&E-supported detector experiments helped identify Scorpius X-1, the first known extrasolar X-ray source, establishing an important early connection between the company and X-ray astronomy.
Products and positioning
A specialist provider of X-ray imaging and non-intrusive inspection technology for government, aviation, border, port, cargo, military, and critical-infrastructure security applications.
Backscatter X-ray inspection
Z Backscatter
Z Backscatter was AS&E’s signature family of backscatter X-ray systems. The technology used scattered radiation to generate images that could reveal organic materials and concealed objects in baggage, vehicles, cargo, and other targets. It was marketed for security applications where inspectors needed non-intrusive screening and enhanced visibility of materials that might be difficult to identify with conventional transmission X-ray equipment.
Mobile vehicle and cargo inspection
Z Backscatter Van
The Z Backscatter Van was a mobile inspection platform that integrated backscatter X-ray equipment into a vehicle. It was intended to give security and law-enforcement users a deployable capability for examining cars, trucks, cargo, and other objects at changing locations rather than requiring a fixed inspection lane.
Vehicle and cargo inspection
Gemini
Gemini was a family of X-ray inspection systems for examining vehicles and freight. The systems were designed for environments such as customs facilities, border crossings, ports, and other controlled locations where authorities needed to inspect large objects for concealed goods, weapons, contraband, or other threats without unloading or dismantling them.
Personnel screening
SmartCheck
SmartCheck was AS&E’s personnel-screening product family. It used X-ray imaging to assist in identifying objects concealed under clothing or carried by individuals. The technology was developed in the context of corrections and high-security screening and later became relevant to aviation and other passenger-screening environments.
Computed tomography · 1976
Commercial computed-tomography scanner
AS&E produced a fourth-generation computed-tomography scanner for commercial use in 1976. This product reflected the company’s broader involvement in X-ray imaging before its identity became primarily associated with security inspection and non-intrusive detection.
Brand decisions
2016
Accept acquisition by Rapiscan SystemsM&ABackground
AS&E was an established supplier of X-ray security-inspection systems operating as an independent public company. OSI Systems sought to expand its security-inspection activities through its Rapiscan Systems business.
Action taken
OSI Systems offered approximately $269 million to acquire AS&E. After regulatory and shareholder approvals, Rapiscan Systems completed the transaction before the end of 2016.
Aftermath
AS&E ceased to operate as an independent listed company, and its operations and technology portfolio were integrated into OSI Systems’ security-inspection business.
Acquisition offer value. Approximately $269 million offer (June 2016)
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