TSA's New CT Scanners: The Smaller Tunnel Sending Carry-On Bags To Be Checked

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has installed 1,162 computed tomography scanners across 296 US airports as of early July 2026, part of a rollout funded by a $781.2 million contract awarded in 2022. The machines produce 3D images that let officers rotate and examine a bag's contents from any angle, run automated threat detection algorithms capable of identifying liquid explosives, and allow passengers to leave laptops and 3-1-1 liquids inside their bags. The technology is a substantial improvement over the flat 2D X-ray units it replaces.