# TSA Advances Airport Screening Modernization

On October 6, 2026, TSA outlined procurement-related elements of its planned “Horizon 25” strategy, including upgraded PreCheck lanes at seven airports, counter-drone capabilities, airport cybersecurity assessments, and possible expansion of the Screening Partnership Program (SPP). TSA cited a $4 million mod-set cost for the PreCheck upgrades and plans to begin deployment within six weeks of October 6. Separately, TSA canceled its Gold+ privatized-screening initiative and is considering how to evolve SPP, potentially drawing on Gold+ proposals and lessons. No new SPP solicitation or procurement dates were provided.

- The PreCheck deployment creates near-term demand signals for checkpoint technologies, including eGates, Advanced Imaging Technology, and AI-enabled image-on-alarm capabilities; the cited $4 million is a mod-set cost, not a stated contract award.
- TSA also identified counter-drone systems and airport cybersecurity assessments as areas where airport partners may contribute, while acknowledging funding constraints.
- Screening contractors can evaluate their Gold+ proposal concepts and SPP capabilities against TSA’s potential program evolution; TSA has not announced a new solicitation or airport participation incentives.
- Companies may use the six-week PreCheck rollout window—through approximately November 17, 2026—as a planning horizon for the initial deployment, while recognizing that the seven airports were not identified in the supplied signals.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Transportation, Public Safety, Information Technology
**Topics:** Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** October 09, 2026

### Government Entities
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

### Key Quotes
> We’re not going to have nearly enough money, but we can hopefully do that force multiplier where we can work with partners like the airports and say, ‘Here’s some things you can do if you want to lean in on the drone front or on the cybersecurity front, on this other threat, and we’re going to need your help.’
> — David Cummins, TSA Administrator

> In a lot of the discussions that I’ve had this week, a lot of the people that were intending to get into the Gold+ program had spent a lot of time and effort and money in coming up with those ideas, and I don’t want to see those ideas go to waste.
> — Raymond Laroche, Chief Operating Officer, Punta Gorda Airport

> We still have all the information from TSA Gold+, so all all that information is going to be kind of incorporated, but the boss wants to really look at it and provide a fresh perspective.
> — Steve Lorincz, Executive Assistant Administrator for Security Operations, TSA

### Sources
- [
        TSA leader details PreCheck upgrades, staffing plans and chair decision - Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce-rightsgovernance/2026/10/tsa-leader-details-precheck-upgrades-staffing-plans-and-chair-decision) - Federal News Network
- [
        TSA considers next steps for privatized screening after Gold+ - Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/management/2026/10/tsa-considers-next-steps-for-privatized-screening-after-gold) - Federal News Network