Cubic and GE Security Support Public Transit Explosives Detection Study

Bradenton, Fla. and San Diego – July 18, 2006 – Cubic Corporation (AMEX: CUB) and GE’s Security business (NYSE: GE), today announced the successful conclusion of the first real-world operational test of the companies’ jointly-developed automatic public transit ticket vending machine with integrated early warning explosives detection and supporting faregate capability.

The Baltimore Rail Security Study tested and collected data from the Cubic and GE explosives-detecting ticket vending machine, the Early Warning Explosives Detection System (EWEDS), deployed in a Baltimore Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) subway station throughout the month of June.  This pilot focused on the system’s ability to identify the possible presence of explosives compounds on passengers as they purchased tickets prior to passing through the faregates to board trains.  

The study was a cooperative effort of the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology unit, the MTA and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), with technical support provided by Cubic and GE Security.

“The pilot appears to have met expectations and we were able to collect all the data needed in a shorter than planned test period,” said Earl Lewis, assistant secretary, Maryland Department of Transportation.  “While the formal results aren’t in yet, the information gathered during this first-of-its-kind pilot appear to be good enough to take this potentially useful technology further along the commercialization testing path. This is the latest example of following through on Governor Ehrlich’s commitment to evaluate and test new security technologies in Maryland’s transportation systems.”

Final test data is currently being reviewed and is expected to be presented to the sponsors later this summer.

The Cubic and GE Early Warning Explosives Detection System is designed to detect explosives residue on passengers as they select their ticket before boarding a train. If such residue is detected, the system activates further capabilities to alert security or law enforcement authorities of the potential threat and deny the passenger passage through the faregates or turnstiles.  In the study, passengers who activated the explosives detection system were identified for further screening.

The Cubic ticket vending machine with integrated GE Security explosives detection trace technology is the first element in the companies’ joint vision for the future of public transit security solutions incorporating a wide range of automatic fare collection “touch points”.  The ticketing machine incorporates GE’s innovative fingertip trace detection analyzer, the Itemiser FX, into Cubic’s advanced automatic fare collection (AFC) system. 

The ticket vending machine is a result of a development agreement between Cubic Corp. and GE Security announced last year that is intended to create and introduce new security solutions to help make public transit systems and passengers safer. 

GE’s Security business is a wholly owned subsidiary of the General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) focused on communication and information technologies for security, safety and lifestyle enhancements.  GE Security has operations in more than 35 countries and is represented by some of the best-known brand names for intrusion and fire detection, access and building control, video surveillance, explosive and drug detection, key management and structure wiring. 

GE Security was recently named Frost & Sullivan’s 2006 Company of the Year for Homeland Security. For more information about GE Security, visit www.gesecurity.com.

Cubic Corporation is the parent of two major segments: transportation and defense. The Cubic Transportation Systems group is the world’s leading full-service systems provider of automated fare collection systems for public transport including bus, bus rapid transit, light rail, commuter rail, heavy rail, ferry and parking. Every year, nearly 10 billion rides are taken worldwide using Cubic fare collection systems. Cubic has delivered over 400 projects in 40 major markets on five continents. The Cubic Defense Applications group is a world leader in realistic combat training systems, mission support services and defense electronics. For more information about Cubic, please visit www.cubic.com.