Rapiscan Eagle R60 Rail Car Cargo Inspection System - ITT-Kubba

CARGO AND VEHICLE INSPECTION 

PRODUCT OVERVIEW 

Rapiscan Eagle ® R60 

Rail Car Cargo Inspection System 

Eagle R60-PO-050710 Proprietary and Confidential 

INNOVATION TOWER TRADING tel: +964 790 191 8185 / +33 1 83 62 23 64 www.itt-kubba.com

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Rapiscan Eagle R60 

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Eagle R60-PO-050710 2 Proprietary and Confidential 


1 OVERVIEW 


The Rapiscan Eagle ® R60 (“Eagle R60”) is a high-energy, drive-thru rail car inspection system with a 

unique combination of features: 

• A high-energy X-ray imaging system. The Eagle R60’s high-energy 6 MV X-ray imaging 

system penetrates and creates an image of dense and densely-packed containerized cargo, 

which would otherwise have to be manually inspected. 

• High-throughput automated drive-thru scanning. The Eagle R60 achieves high-throughput 

scanning of rail cars as they move past the scanner. The unit scans double-stacked containers 

and two 20-foot containers on a 40-foot rail car. The Scanning Control and Monitoring System 

automatically enables a safe continuous flow of rail cars. 

• Safe scanning – The Eagle R60’s safety system ensures that only unoccupied rail cars or 

containers are scanned to prevent inadvertent exposure of people to the primary X-ray beam. 

The Eagle R60’s ability to rapidly scan rail cars, including cargo containers transported on rail cars, 

supports high inspection throughput at sites, such as seaports and border crossings. The highly 

automated scanning process scans rails cars as they travel past the unit at speeds up to 15 km/hr. Only 

cars transporting cargo containers or with RFID tags are scanned to prevent scanning of occupied cars. 

The image of each car is saved in a separate file. The X-ray images are sent to a nearby office for review 

and evaluation. 

The Eagle R60 has a 6 MV X-ray imaging system that enables inspection of cargo containers transported 

by rail for verifying manifests and identifying contraband, such as explosives, weapons and narcotics. 

Optional capability to detect radioactive material in cargo is available with the Eagle R60. The 

nonintrusive inspection capability using high-quality X-ray images and Rapiscan Cargo Viewer software 

reduces the need for subsequent manual inspection. 

The Eagle R60 facility consists of the scanner structure, which supports the X-ray detector array, the 

X-ray generator housed in a cargo container, the Scanning Control and Monitoring System and the 

containerized office. Radiation shielding walls can be optionally added. The Eagle R60 facility can be 

designed for easy relocation. 

Like other Rapiscan Eagle R-Series scanners, the Eagle R60 offers best-in-class X-ray inspection and 

operational features in a high-throughput cargo and vehicle inspection system. 

• Continuous inspection of containers on moving rail cars 

• Automated scanning operation 

• 6 MV X-ray imaging system 

• Industry leading X-ray imaging quality 

• Easy-to-use Rapiscan Cargo Viewer software 

• Automatically captures identification numbers and RFID tags 

• Meets radiation safety standards 

• Designed for easy relocation 

Options available with the Eagle R60 include 

• Gamma or gamma/neutron radiation detection integrated with the X-ray scan 

• Cold and/or hot weather package for expanded operational environment 

• Concrete shielding walls 

• Diesel electric generator 



1.1 Rapiscan Eagle R-Series Products 


Rapiscan Eagle R-Series rail car scanners, such as the Eagle R60, deliver high quality X-ray imaging in a 

high-throughput, continuous operation. Rail cars are scanned as they move past the scanner between 

the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector array. The system has safeguards to avoid scanning 

occupied cars. Cargo container numbers and RFID tags are automatically recognized, which enables the 

X-ray beam to perform a scan. Inspection data for each container are saved in a separate file. The 

Scanning Control and Monitoring System supports safe automated scanning, so that the crew can focus 

on evaluating the scanned cargo. 

1.2 Application Scenarios for Rapiscan Eagle R-Series Products 

Inspection at a Border Crossing – The Eagle R-Series scanners are well-suited to scanning inbound 

rail cars at border crossings. The high-energy X-ray imaging system is capable of inspecting a wide 

variety of train-borne cargo. Cars transporting suspicious cargo can be identified, removed from the train 

and subjected to further evaluation. 

Inspection at a Seaport. At a busy seaport, an Eagle R-Series unit can meet the throughput 

requirements for inspecting inbound and outbound cargo containers transported by train. The unit scans 

containers of different sizes and configurations on rail cars. Shielding walls can be used to minimize the 

size of the scanning site and save space at a crowded seaport. 

1.3 Rapiscan Approach to Cargo and Vehicle Inspection Products 

All Rapiscan cargo and vehicle inspection products reflect our corporate commitment to excellence in 

imaging performance, design, ease-of-use and quality. This commitment results in products that have 

best-in-class imaging, low cost of ownership, high reliability and high operator satisfaction. Rapiscan 

offers its customers the largest selection of cargo and vehicle inspection products that share a common 

design philosophy. 

Modular design elements that are common across multiple products – Common design elements, 

such as the operating software, enable operating and maintenance staff trained on one product to quickly 

move to a different product. It also simplifies operation, training, service and spares. 

Multiple operation modes for one product – One product is able to inspect in different ways to respond 

to changing operational requirements. For example, an Eagle P-Series scanner can be used to scan an 

entire truck, including the driver cab, or just the cargo. This capability provides operational flexibility and 

maximizes the effectiveness of each scanner. 

Products available to meet the full range of inspection requirements – Rapiscan’s unmatched range 

of cargo and vehicle inspection products enables us to work with customers to define a solution that 

meets their inspection requirements. We can choose from products capable of scanning occupied 

vehicles to dense cargo in mobile, gantry, portal and fixed deployment configurations, which can be used 

alone or in combinations. 

Minimize cost of ownership – Rapiscan recognizes that a customer’s price for a scanner must include 

the cost of ownership over the unit’s lifetime as well as the cost of acquisition. Therefore, we are 

constantly working to reduce cost of ownership. For example, the Eagle R-Series products require a 

small crew, which reduces labor costs associated with the cargo inspection operation. 



2 FEATURES 


The Eagle R60 is a containerized cargo inspection system consisting of a high-energy X-ray imaging 

system configured as a drive-thru scanner for inspecting rail cars. A graphic representation of an Eagle 

R60 unit is shown in Figure 1. The system has the following principal elements: 

• An X-ray imaging system, including the linear accelerator X-ray generator, X-ray detector array 

and computer hardware and software. 

• A 40-ft container that houses the X-ray generator on one side of the track 

• The structure that supports the X-ray detector array on the opposite side of the track. 

• An office that houses the operator and up to 2 inspectors and associated computer systems and 

other equipment. 

• A Scanning Control and Monitoring System that automatically operates the scanner and ensures 

a safe continuous scanning process 

• Optional concrete walls surrounding the scanner, which provide radiation shielding if sufficient 

space is not available to accommodate the required radiation exclusion zone. 

X-ray 

Generator 

Figure 1. Eagle R60 Configuration 

Rail cars are inspected as the train moves through the scanner between the X-ray generator and detector 

array. The scanner is configured to scan an object up to 6.2 m tall x 3.4 m wide from 0.5 m above the 

ground, as illustrated in Figure 2. The structure that supports the X-ray detector arrays is designed to 

provide this scanning field of view and allow sufficient clearance above the scanned object. To avoid 

exposing occupied rail cars to radiation, the X-ray beam is automatically activated only after the presence 

of a container or an RFID tag is detected. The Scanning Control and Monitoring System (SCMS) 

automatically turns the beam on to scan a car and off when the scan is completed. The resulting X-ray 

image is sent for evaluation to an inspector in the nearby office. System throughput can be increased by 

employing multiple inspectors to keep up with the flow of rail cars through the system. 


INNOVATION TOWER TRADING tel: +964 790 191 8185 / +33 1 83 62 23 64 www.itt-kubba.com 

X-ray Detector Array


The Eagle R60 is designed to inspect a variety of rail cars and cargo. It scans double stacked containers, 

single 40-foot containers and two 20-foot containers on one rail car. The train travels through the scanner 

at speeds up to 15 km/hr without significant loss of image quality. The train does not need to move at a 

precise, constant speed because the speed of the train is measured by a speed sensor. The linear 

accelerator pulse rate is adjusted according to the measured speed, to eliminate image distortion and 

minimize radiation output. 

2.1 Imaging System 

X-ray Beam 

X-ray 

Generator 0.5 m 

3.4 m 


INNOVATION TOWER TRADING tel: +964 790 191 8185 / +33 1 83 62 23 64 www.itt-kubba.com 

6.2 m 

Figure 2. The Eagle R60 Scanning Field of View 

X-ray Detector Array 

9.6 m 

X-ray Generator. The Eagle R60 uses a linear accelerator (LINAC) to generate a 6 MV 

X-ray beam. The X-ray generator is heavily shielded and the beam tightly collimated into a fan shape, 

which minimizes radiation dose while maximizing beam intensity at the center of the object being 

scanned. The fan beam is oriented to achieve the required field of view. 

Detector System. The Eagle R60’s detector system uses scintillating cadmium tungstate crystals 

mounted to a silicon photodiode to detect transmitted X-rays. The detectors and their electronics are 

organized in modules, which are installed in sealed housings to protect them from environmental 

degradation. The output from the detectors is sent to Rapiscan proprietary imaging electronics and then 

to a computer for display. 

Computer Hardware. The Eagle R60’s computer system is used to operate the facility, acquire the 

X-ray image, display and process the image and store and retrieve images from the database. It utilizes 

commercially available Windows PC workstations, which run the Rapiscan Cargo Viewer software. Highresolution, 

color flat-panel monitors display the X-ray image, the user interface controls and the cargo 

manifest if available. There is a high capacity server for data storage and a CD/DVD drive for data 

archiving. Images are displayed on the flat panel color monitor and printed on a color printer. The 

images can also be sent from the inspection office to other locations within the Eagle R60 facility or to 

remote locations.


Computer Software. Rapiscan’s Cargo Viewer software used in the Eagle R60 supports the entire cargo 

inspection process, including check-in, scanning and image evaluation. The inspector uses Cargo Viewer 

to view, process, evaluate and store the X-ray images. Cargo Viewer includes a comprehensive suite of 

image processing tools, including contrast and brightness adjustment, magnify/demagnify, edge 

enhancement, filters and histogram functions. Features of interest in the image can be highlighted and 

annotated for future reference. Each of Rapiscan’s cargo and vehicle inspection products uses this same 

Cargo Viewer software, so that trained inspectors can operate different Rapiscan scanners. 

2.2 Facility 

A typical layout of an Eagle R60 facility with optional external radiation shielding walls is shown in the 

schematic drawing presented in Figure 3. This is an exemplar configuration because the facility layout is 

optimized for the specific site and inspection requirements. While space may not be a concern at a 

remote border crossing, there may be limited space at a seaport. The required radiation exclusion zone, 

which surrounds the scanner, can be reduced by using concrete shielding walls on either side of the rails, 

as shown in the figure. The walls can be cast in place or constructed of concrete panels to enable them 

to be disassembled and moved to a different site. The unit can be installed within a weatherproof 

enclosure, which is designed to provide protection from the environment and radiation shielding. 

Inspection 

Office 

X-ray 

Detector Array 

Optional Concrete Radiation 

Shielding Wall 

X-ray 

Generator 

Figure 3. Eagle R60 Layout with Radiation Shielding Walls 

Office. The Eagle R60’s facility includes an Inspection Office, which houses the operator, up to 2 

inspectors and their equipment. The X-ray images are sent to the office for review by the inspectors 

using the Eagle R60’s Image Analysis Workstation and Cargo Viewer software. To keep up with the flow 

of rail cars through the scanner, additional inspectors may be located in an optional second office at the 

local site or a remote site. 

The Inspection Office is prefabricated from a 20-foot cargo container, which makes it easy to ship, 

transport, install and relocate, as shown in Figure 4. It is designed to provide a comfortable and safe 

work environment for their occupants. It is built in a factory and outfitted with all required utilities, 

including electrical wiring, lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), and work spaces prior 

to shipment. Therefore, installation is limited primarily to attaching the office to the local power source 

and installing furnishings and equipment. The office is rugged and designed to work in the wide variety of 

environments experienced at seaports and border crossings worldwide. 

Figure 5 presents an exemplar interior of an office with one inspector. It shows the computer monitors for 

operation, including CCTV images, image evaluation and monitoring and control. The E-stop and 

loudspeaker microphone are also seen in the photograph. The Image Analysis Workstation and monitors 

shown in Figure 5 are replicated for each additional inspector. 



Figure 4. Representative Eagle R60 Containerized Offices 

CCTV 

Communication 

Image 

Operation 

Evaluation 

E-stop 

Printer 

Monitoring and 

Control 

Figure 5. Eagle R60 Inspection Office – Interior 


Scanning Control and Monitoring System. The Eagle R60 facility includes a fully automated Scanning 

Control and Monitoring System (SCMS), which monitors the flow of rail cars through the scanner, 

captures identification numbers and controls the X-ray beam to scan only rail cars transporting 

containers. Representative elements of the SCMS are illustrated in Figure 6. These elements are 

designed to operate at the maximum speed of 15 km/hr for configurations of rail cars, including doublestacked 

containers and two 20-ft containers on one rail car. The types and quantities of SCMS elements 

will depend on the site and concept of operations. The locations of the various SCMS elements in the 

figure do not reflect the installation positions at any particular site. 



Approach 

Laser 

Figure 6. Eagle R60 Scanning Control and Monitoring System (SCMS) 

• Approach laser that detects the approaching train. 


• Rail car speed measurement device. Measured speed through the scanner is used to adjust the 

linear accelerator pulse rate and the X-ray image, if necessary. 

• An edge laser that detects the ends of the rail car, which controls when the X-ray generator turns 

on and off. 

• A gap laser that detects the space between rail cars. 

• CCTV camera for photographing each rail car. 

• CCTV cameras for capturing the container identification number 

• An RFID reader for automatically capturing the rail car identification information 

• CCTV cameras for monitoring the facility and its vicinity. 

Identification Number Capture. The Eagle R60 has an Identification Number Capture system that is 

used to automatically capture a license plate number (license plate reader) and/or a cargo container 

identification number. This system includes CCTV cameras and lights, if necessary, positioned to obtain 

the required image of the number and optical character recognition software to interpret the image and 

extract the number. The number is then entered into the Inspection Record. 

Relocation. The Eagle R60 cargo inspection facility can be designed for easy relocation to a new 

inspection site. The scanner structure and office are easily and quickly disassembled, transported to a 

different location and reassembled at the new site. The optional concrete walls are constructed from 

panels that are disassembled and moved. If necessary, power can be provided by an optional generator 

that is also easily moved with the system. The easily relocated unit provides the flexibility required to 

respond to changing operational requirements. 

3 OPERATION 

RFID 

Sensors 

CCTV Camera - Gap 

Rail Car Photo Laser 

CCTV Cameras - 

Identification Number Capture 

CCTV Cameras- 

Facility Monitoring 

The SCMS supports a safe, continuous flow of rail cars through the facility, which increases the scanning 

throughput. Inspection of a train with the unit typically consists of the following sequence of events: 

1. The approach laser detects a train approaching the facility and the scanner is readied. 

2. The speed of each car is measured by the speed sensor. 

Edge 

Laser 

Speed 

Sensor 

3. A photograph of each car is captured and stored in the Inspection Record 




4. When a rail car is detected with the container identification number capture system and/or RFID 

reader, the X-ray beam is enabled. The identification information is captured and entered into the 

Inspection Record. 

5. The X-ray beam is turned on and off when the edge laser detects the front and rear of the rail car 

at the scanner, respectively. 

6. The rail car is scanned as it passes through the scanner. Each image is stored in a separate file 

with its associated inspection data. 

7. The rail car inspection data, including the image, is sent to the office for review by the inspector. 

If multiple inspectors are present, images are automatically distributed to an available inspector. 

8. The result of the inspection is stored in the Inspection Record in a database. For a suspicious rail 

car, the Inspection Record can be sent to another facility further down the tracks, where the car 

will be subjected to further evaluation, such as manual inspection. 

9. The scanning continues for all appropriate rail cars. 

3.3 Crew 

The Eagle R60 is designed for highly automated operation, which reduces the size of the crew required to 

operate the system. The typical crew includes an operator and 1-2 inspectors. Where high throughput is 

required, additional inspectors are needed to keep up with the flow of rail cars through the scanner. 

3.4 Operating Environment 

The Eagle R60 is designed to operate in a wide-range of weather conditions. 

• Operating Temperature range: -10ºC to 40ºC 

• Optional Cold Weather Kit extends the low temperature range to -40°C when cold weather 

operating requirements are followed (see below) 

• Optional Hot Weather Kit extends the high temperature range to 55ºC. 

• Humidity 5% to 95% non-condensing 

• Wind gusts up to 20 m/s 

• Altitude up to 2000 m. 

The design draws on Rapiscan Systems' experience deploying mobile cargo inspection systems at a wide 

variety of locations. The Eagle R60 units are designed to perform in all deployment environments, 

including seaside, dusty and sandy sites and tropical conditions and various weather conditions, including 

rain and snow. The unit must be operated in accordance with the Operator Manual and maintained in 

accordance with the Maintenance Manual. Design features, including paint and finishes, are intended to 

prevent corrosion in a marine environment. Floodlights are located on each side of the unit and on the 

horizontal boom to support scanning operations after dark or in poor visibility conditions. 

Cold Weather Operation. The optional Cold Weather Kit is required for operation at sites where the 

minimum temperature is -10°C to -40°C. At these temperatures, the following Eagle R60 cold weather 

operating requirements must be followed: 

• Use specified low temperature fluids 

• Allow for an extended equipment warm up time prior to operation 

• Maintain electric supply to warm key components when the unit is not operating 



4 SAFETY 


The Eagle R60 is designed and manufactured to applicable international and local safety standards and 

regulations. The SCMS incorporates safeguards that enable rail cars to safely travel one after the other 

through the facility. The CCTV cameras enable the inspector to ensure personnel are not present. 

Warning lights and alarms indicate when the X-ray generator is enabled and operating and emergency 

stops immediately disable the generator. The X-ray beam is enabled only when a container number or 

RFID tag is detected to avoid scanning occupied cars. The status of the safety features is monitored by 

the operator. Access to the entire facility can be limited by a physical or infrared fence, which is 

interlocked with the X-ray beam to turn the beam off when violated. 

Radiation Safety. The Eagle R60 is designed to be radiation safe for the onboard personnel, crew and 

bystanders, in accordance with international and local standards. As with all Rapiscan products, the 

principle of ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) is fundamental to the design. To minimize 

radiation output to the environment, the X-ray beam is turned off except when scanning a rail car and the 

LINAC pulse rate is adjusted depending on the rail car speed. 

• Onboard Personnel – To protect personnel onboard the train, the X-ray beam turns on and scans 

a rail car only when a container identification number and/or RFID tag is detected. 

• Crew - During an inspection, the crew members are housed inside the office that is located 

outside the radiation exclusion zone. Therefore, they are not exposed to radiation beyond the 

maximum allowable. 

• Bystanders - To protect nearby personnel and prevent unauthorized access, the Eagle R60 

facility includes a radiation exclusion zone, warning signs, lights and alarms and barriers and 

physical and infrared fences, as appropriate. Optional external concrete shielding walls may be 

used to reduce the size of the exclusion zone and the unit’s overall footprint. The exclusion zone 

boundary is designed so that the radiation dose at the boundary does not exceed the maximum 

allowable. 

5 OPTIONS 

Table 1 lists the options available with an Eagle R60 unit. Unless specifically noted in Table 1, each 

option can be ordered separately with any other option. 

5.1 Radiation Detection 

The Eagle R60 is offered with an optional radiation detection capability. During a scan, radiation 

detectors identify the presence of radioactive material in the cargo. Options are available for detecting 

gamma radiation or gamma and neutron radiation. The location of the material is indicated on the 

X-ray image. To prevent interference between the detectors and the X-ray beam, the two systems are 

electronically synchronized so that radiation measurements are taken only between LINAC pulses. 



Inspection 

Table 1. Eagle R60 Options 

Option Standard 

Gamma Radiation Detection X-ray imaging system 

Gamma and Neutron Radiation Detection X-ray imaging system 

Operating Environment 

Cold Weather Package – extends operating 

temperature to -40°C to 40°C 

Hot Weather Package – extends operating 

temperature to -10°C to 55°C 

Facility 

Concrete shielding walls No shielding walls 

Diesel electric generator Shore power operation 


Operating Temperature Range: -10°C to 40°C 

Operating Temperature Range: -10°C to 40°C

Rapiscan Eagle R60 Rail Car Cargo Inspection System - ITT-Kubba

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