Backscatter Body Scanner Market Report 2025

The backscatter body scanner market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.68 billion in 2024 to $1.86 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to heightened airport security concerns, increasing global passenger traffic, escalating terrorism threats, expansion of border control initiatives, and greater adoption in correctional facilities.

The backscatter body scanner market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.81 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8%. The growth expected in the forecast period is driven by increasing demand for contactless screening, rising investments in public safety infrastructure, broader adoption at public venues, expanded use in customs and immigration checkpoints, and growing deployment in event security. Key trends during this time include advancements in imaging resolution, innovations in low-dose X-ray systems, development of mobile scanning units, increased research and development investment, and integration with artificial intelligence technology.

The rise in airport security measures is expected to drive the growth of the backscatter body scanner market in the coming years. These security measures involve procedures and technologies designed to detect and prevent threats targeting passengers, aircraft, and airport infrastructure. The increase in airport security is largely a response to growing terrorism threats, as extremists employ more advanced tactics and weapons, necessitating stronger detection and prevention systems to safeguard people and facilities. Backscatter body scanners improve airport security by offering non-intrusive, high-resolution detection of concealed items such as weapons, explosives, and contraband hidden under clothing, thus enhancing the efficiency and safety of passenger screening. For example, in December 2022, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported intercepting 6,301 firearms on December 16 alone, with over 88% found loaded, breaking the previous record of 5,972 firearms detected in 2021. Consequently, the increasing focus on airport security is fueling growth in the backscatter body scanner market.

Key players in the backscatter body scanner market are concentrating on innovations like high-powered handheld backscatter imaging devices to improve mobility, image resolution, and on-site threat detection capabilities. High-powered handheld backscatter imaging involves compact, portable devices that generate detailed X-ray images by detecting scattered radiation, allowing security staff to examine concealed objects through surfaces without unpacking them. For instance, in October 2022, Videray Technologies Inc., a US-based security imaging company, launched the PX Ultra, a 160 keV handheld backscatter X-ray imager. This device features the most powerful 160 keV source in a handheld format, offering enhanced penetration through dense materials along with real-time imaging. The PX Ultra provides advanced imaging quality with exceptional clarity and depth, enabling faster and more accurate detection of hidden threats in law enforcement and border security operations.

In March 2024, GigCapital5 Inc., a US-based special purpose acquisition company, merged with QT Imaging Inc. for $151 million. Through this merger, GigCapital aims to assist QT Imaging in commercializing its FDA-cleared Breast Acoustic CT Scanner and expanding its footprint in the medical imaging market. QT Imaging Inc. is a US-based company focused on low-frequency sound-based body imaging technologies.

Major players in the backscatter body scanner market are Smiths Detection Group Ltd, NUCTECH Company Limited, Rapiscan Systems, Mistral Solutions Pvt. Ltd., LINEV Group, Astrophysics Inc., Shanghai Eastimage Equipment Co., Ltd., Autoclear LLC, Analyticon instruments GmbH, Beijing Heweiyongtai, Micro-X Limited, Viken Detection, Westminster Group Plc, Scanna MSC Ltd., Tek84 Inc., Hi-Tech Detection Systems (HTDS) Pvt Ltd., Videray Technologies, Lomini Ltd., HDX International, OD Security.

North America was the largest region in the backscatter body scanner market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in backscatter body scanner report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the backscatter body scanner market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.

A backscatter body scanner is a security screening device that utilizes low-dose X-rays to produce images of a person’s body and identify concealed objects. It works by detecting radiation that reflects off the body and any hidden items. These scanners are widely used at airports to uncover threats such as weapons or contraband concealed beneath clothing.

The main types of backscatter body scanners include flat scanning and cylindrical scanning. Flat scanning involves the use of flat panel detectors to capture images from one or two views, commonly employed for inspecting individuals or objects at security checkpoints. The technologies involved include transmission X-ray, backscatter X-ray, and millimeter wave, each offering different detection capabilities such as metal detection, non-metal detection, organic material detection, and explosives detection. Applications span passenger screening, cargo and luggage inspection, security at high-risk locations, and public venue protection. Key end users include airport security, border control agencies, customs and excise departments, correctional facilities, and event security teams.

The backscatter body scanners market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides backscatter body scanners market statistics, including the backscatter body scanners industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the backscatter body scanners market share, detailed backscatter body scanners market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the backscatter body scanner industry. This backscatter body scanner market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The backscatter body scanner market consists of sales of single-energy backscatter scanners, dual-energy backscatter scanners, drive-through backscatter scanners, portable backscatter scanners, and fixed-site backscatter scanners. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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