AS&E`s Proprietary ZBV Mobile Inspection System Demonstrates Success Around the World with Over 400 Systems Sold to Date

The Market-Leading Z Backscatter Van (ZBV) Deployed in 46 Countries Offers
Unparalleled Mobility and Flexibility for Rapid Explosive and Contraband
Detection

BILLERICA, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
American Science and Engineering, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASEI) (AS&E®), a leading
worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray inspection solutions, today announced
that its top selling, patented Z Backscatter Van (ZBV) has gained an
unprecedented level of worldwide success as the number one selling non-intrusive
mobile inspection system on the market with over 400 ZBV systems sold to 85
customers in 46 countries. The number of ZBV success stories from around the
world continues to grow, from seizures of large quantities of drugs, to the
detection of stowaways and bulk explosives in war zones. Introduced in 2003,
AS&E`s ZBV is faster, more effective, and less expensive than any other mobile
X-ray screening solution available. In the last year alone, AS&E gained 16 new
ZBV customers in 7 countries.

"With over 400 systems sold, the ZBV is widely accepted as the mobile X-ray
system of choice to support a wide variety of critical security missions," said
Anthony Fabiano, AS&E`s President and CEO. "Its varied operating modes provide
maximum maneuverability for multiple applications, including force protection,
checkpoint security, law enforcement, and port and border security. The ZBV`s
exceptional speed and agility combined with its explosive and contraband
detection capability provides governments and corporations around the world with
an effective tool to secure high threat facilities, protect civilians, and
detect trade fraud and illegal immigration."

ZBV Proven Success Worldwide

Some examples of the ZBV success that have been covered in national and
international news stories include:

* U.S./Mexico border: Using the ZBV on the Arizona border, Border Patrol agents
discovered 1,500 pounds of hidden marijuana and five illegal immigrants in a
hidden compartment of a large truck, as reported by the Associated Press in
March of 2009. Further reports revealed that within the first month of operating
the ZBV, Border Patrol agents seized 30 pounds of cocaine and 17 pounds of
methamphetamine, according to the Green Valley News and Sun in March of 2009.
* Military: Utilizing the ZBV to heighten military base security, a Technical
Sergeant noted that the ZBV displays organic anomalies in vehicles - such as a
detonation cord or hidden narcotics - allowing base security to target
suspicious vehicles, as reported in Air Force Link in April of 2007. The
Technical Sergeant also said the ZBV is safer for search teams because the ZBV
can be operated remotely for bomb detection.
* Iraq: Iraqi officials utilize two ZBVs along the borders of the Basra
Province, according to a Colonel in the Multinational Division in UPI Energy in
October of 2007. The ZBVs operate as part of a security program to increase
protection at ports of entry. The Colonel also noted that the ZBV`s unique
capabilities are significant enhancements to the traditional screening
procedures.
* Singapore: Singapore`s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officers
uncovered 1,484 cartons and 158 packets of smuggled cigarettes in a bus hidden
under floorboards. The potential customs duties for the duty-unpaid cigarettes
totaled about $79,000, according to AsiaOne in March of 2009. AsiaOne also
reported in September of 2008 that the ZBV was used to interdict Singapore`s
largest haul of illegal tobacco products that year when a bus driver tried to
smuggle them into the country through the Tuas Checkpoint.
* Middle East/Africa: Officials utilizing the ZBV at a border crossing found
1,042 kilograms of marijuana in the false wall of a delivery truck - the largest
drug bust in this country`s history, according to Al-Chourouk Newspaper in
February of 2008. The ZBV clearly revealed the smuggled goods, and the security
officials were able to seize the drugs, which had a street value of
approximately $5 million.

For more success stories and to see images from the ZBV, please visit:
http://www.as-e.com/products_solutions/zbv_seizures.asp

About AS&E`s ZBV

A breakthrough in X-ray detection technology, the ZBV is a low-cost, highly
mobile screening system built into a commercially available delivery van. 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. The ZBV
employs AS&E's patented Z Backscatter technology, which reveals threats and
contraband that transmission X-ray systems miss. The ZBV is designed to detect
radioactive threats and large amounts of organic material including:

* Explosives: including car and truck bombs
* Illegal Drugs
* Trade Fraud Items: such as alcohol, tobacco, and other legal goods smuggled to
evade duties
* Stowaways: such as illegal immigrants and terrorists
* Currency

About AS&E®

American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E) is the leading worldwide supplier
of innovative X-ray inspection systems. With over 50 years of experience in
developing advanced X-ray security systems, the Company`s product line utilizes
a combination of technologies, including patented Z Backscatter technology,
Radioactive Threat Detection (RTD), high energy transmission and dual energy
transmission X-ray. These technologies offer superior X-ray threat detection for
plastic explosives, plastic weapons, liquid explosives, dirty bombs and nuclear
devices. AS&E`s complete range of products include cargo inspection systems for
port and border security, baggage screening systems for facility and aviation
security, and personnel screening systems. AS&E systems protect high-threat
facilities and help combat terrorism and trade fraud, drug smuggling, weapon
smuggling, and illegal immigration and people smuggling. AS&E customers include
leading government agencies, border authorities, military bases, airports and
corporations worldwide, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
(DHS), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), HM Revenue & Customs (U.K.),
Hong Kong Customs, and Abu Dhabi Customs. For more information on AS&E products
and technologies, please visit www.as-e.com.

Safe Harbor Statement.The foregoing press release contains statements concerning
AS&E`s financial performance, markets and business operations that may be
considered "forward-looking" under applicable securities laws. AS&E wishes to
caution readers of this press release that actual results might differ
materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Factors which
might cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements contained herein include the following: significant
reductions or delays in procurements of the Company`s systems by the United
States and other governments; disruption in the supply of any source component
incorporated into AS&E`s products; litigation seeking to restrict the use of
intellectual property used by the Company; potential product liability claims
against the Company; global political trends and events which affect public
perception of the threat presented by drugs, explosives and other contraband;
global economic developments and the ability of governments and private
organizations to fund purchases of the Company`s products to address such
threats; and the potential insufficiency of Company resources, including human
resources, capital, plant and equipment and management systems, to accommodate
any future growth, and future delays in federal funding. These and certain other
factors which might cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected are detailed from time to time in AS&E`s periodic reports and
registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which
important factors are incorporated herein by reference. AS&E undertakes no
obligation to update forward looking statements to reflect changed assumptions,
the occurrence of unanticipated events, or changes in future operating results,
financial condition or business over time.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5996728&lang=en

For Media Inquiries and B-Roll Contact:
Red Javelin Communications, Inc.
Dana Harris, 978-440-8392
dana@redjavelin.com
or
American Science and Engineering, Inc
Laura Berman, 978-262-8713
lberman@as-e.com

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