A US-based manufacturer of security and inspection systems, which are used at US border checkpoints and Israeli military checkpoints in the occupied Palestinian territory.
OSI Systems, Inc. is a technology company headquartered in Hawthorne, Calif., that designs, manufactures, and sells specialized electronic systems for the military, security, and healthcare industries. In 2023, 59% of the company’s total revenues derived from its Security Division. This division manufactures body and vehicle scanners for airports, border crossings, and other facilities through two wholly owned subsidiaries, American Science and Engineering (AS&E) and Rapiscan Systems.
OSI Systems' primary clients, based in the U.S., accounted for over 51% of the company’s 2023 revenue. Between 2004 and July 2024, the company was awarded thousands of contracts with the U.S. federal government. The vast majority of these contracts were with the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Homeland Security (DHS). The company also has major clients in the U.K., which accounted for just over 21.5% of its 2023 revenue, and sells equipment to Mexico’s military.
US–Mexico Border
OSI Systems and its subsidiaries, namely AS&E and Rapiscan, provide U.S. immigration authorities Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with vehicle and cargo scanners, as well as related maintenance and support services.
In 2021, CBP awarded Rapiscan, along with Leidos and Smiths Group, a contract worth up to $480 million for its “Multi-Energy Portal” X-ray systems. The contract includes a maintenance program of up to 10 years. The agency uses these X-ray systems to inspect vehicles at the U.S.–Mexico border. CBP planned to purchase 17 such systems between 2016 and 2020 as part of its “Large-Scale Non-Intrusive Inspection” program. Rapiscan has been providing CBP with Large Scale Non-Intrusive Inspection equipment, including drive-through portals and rail inspection systems, since 2005.
Also in 2021, CBP awarded AS&E two contracts for scanners and Z-Portal training (part of a larger contract). Z-Portals are capable of scanning people's bodies even while they remain inside of their vehicles.
CBP's Non-Intrusive Inspection program includes scanning everything at U.S. borders and ports of entry, including people, vehicles, luggage, and packages, in order to detect contraband and "inadmissible persons." A 2021 federal law requires that every truck, vehicle, and freight train that crosses into the U.S. from Mexico or Canada be scanned and inspected with X-ray or similar technology.
Military Checkpoints in Palestine
Israel has installed OSI scanners at several of its illegal military checkpoints in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. According to Who Profits, Rapiscan are installed at three checkpoints in the occupied West Bank and at the entrance to the Western Wall in occupied East Jerusalem. This equipment is provided through OSI's exclusive representative in Israel, G1 Secure Solutions (formerly G4S Israel).
Since 2016, Rapiscan metal detectors have also been installed at 10 offices operated by the District Coordination and Liaison Offices (DCO), a unit of the Israeli Ministry of Defense that administers the civilian aspects of Israel’s military occupation of the West Bank, such as issuing travel permits to Palestinans.
OSI Systems scanners have also been installed in Israeli prisons, airports, and courthouses, as well as other government facilities.