Rohde & Schwarz has reached an important milestone: the detection technology of the QPS Walk2000 has been approved by the European Civil Aviation Conference. This makes it the first walk-through millimeter-wave security scanner that may be used in airports. The certification confirms that the innovative scanner meets the strict aviation security detection requirements that the ECAC sets for passenger screening. Thanks to this approval, Rohde & Schwarz can now supply the state-of-the-art scanners throughout the European Union, enabling airports in the region to carry out more efficient security checks than ever before.
Munich, April 8, 2025 — The approval was granted after Rohde & Schwarz successfully passed the testing conducted by ECAC laboratories as part of the Common Evaluation Process (CEP). The CEP is designed to evaluate security equipment against ECAC/EU Performance Standards and provides a common point of reference for the national authorities that certify or approve security equipment at airports. If an item of equipment meets these standards according to the CEP result, it is automatically eligible for EU approval and marking with the “EU stamp”.
The screened individuals can now walk through the security scanner at a natural pace and in a normal posture. The millimeter waves used by the QPS Walk2000 penetrate clothing, and the exact location of potentially dangerous objects is displayed in real time on an avatar. If an alarm is triggered, security personnel can focus on the indicated area instead of having to fully pat down or rescan the passenger.
Frankfurt Airport is already using the QPS Walk2000, making it the first airport in the world to regularly use walk-through scanners for passenger screening. Following this success, Rohde & Schwarz plans to conduct several field trials at major airports across Europe.
“We value the work of ECAC and look forward to working with the airports and airlines of the 44 member states to implement next-generation security technology and improve the passenger experience for travelers throughout Europe,” said Andreas Haegele, vice president of Microwave Imaging at Rohde & Schwarz.
