American Science and Engineering, Inc. Named to Boston Globe 100 for the Seventh Year in a Row

BILLERICA, Mass., May 24, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Science and Engineering, Inc. ("AS&E") (Nasdaq:ASEI), a leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray detection solutions, announced today that the Company has been named to the Boston Globe's 24th annual Globe 100 list of the top-performing public companies in Massachusetts for the seventh year in a row.

"We are very proud that once again AS&E has been ranked as a top performer among all the distinguished publicly-held companies in Massachusetts," said Anthony R. Fabiano, President and CEO of AS&E. "This continues to be a significant honor for us - to be recognized by The Boston Globe as one of the state's highest achieving companies. As we begin our new fiscal year we remain focused on providing innovative inspection solutions to our customers to protect ports, borders, military, high-threat facilities, and critical infrastructure worldwide."

About the Globe 100 Ranking Methodology

The Globe 100 ranks Massachusetts-based public companies based on financial data from the four quarters ending December 31, 2011. To be eligible, the company must be traded publicly for the entire 2011 calendar year on the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ or the American Stock Exchange and report revenue and profit for both 2010 and 2011. Companies are ranked on four criteria: return on average equity, one-year percentage change in revenue, one-year percentage change in profit margin and 2011 revenue.

About The Boston Globe

The Boston Globe is wholly owned by the New York Times Company (NYSE:NYT), a leading, global multimedia news and information company with 2011 revenues of $2.3 billion, which includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, NYTimes.com, BostonGlobe.com, Boston.com, About.com and related properties. The Company's core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.

About AS&E

American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E) is a 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 and passenger screening systems. AS&E® systems protect high-threat facilities and help combat terrorism, trade fraud, drug smuggling, weapon smuggling, 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), UK Border Agency (UKBA), Hong Kong Customs, and Abu Dhabi Customs. For more information on AS&E products and technologies, please visit www.as-e.com.

The American Science and Engineering, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12556

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, delays or cancellations (in full or in part) 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; limitations under certain laws on the Company's ability to protect its own intellectual property; 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; the potential insufficiency of Company resources, including human resources, capital, plant and equipment and management systems, to accommodate any future growth; technical problems and other delays that could impact new product development and the Company's ability to adapt to changes in technology and customer requirements; competitive pressures; lengthy sales cycles both in United States government procurement and procurement abroad;  future delays in federal funding, the market price of the company's stock prevailing from time to time, the nature of other investment opportunities presented to the company from time to time,  the company's cash flows from operations and market and general economic conditions. 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. Readers are further advised to review the "Risk Factors" set forth in the Company's most recent Form 10-Q and Form 10-K,  which further detail and supplement the factors described in this Safe Harbor Statement.  Among other disclosures, the Risk Factors disclose risks pertaining to that portion of the Company's business that is dependent on United States government contracting as well as international customers.


CONTACT: Public Relations Contact:
         Dana Harris
         Red Javelin Communications, Inc.
         978-440-8392
         dana@redjavelin.com

         Laura Berman
         American Science and Engineering, Inc.
         978-262-8700
         lberman@as-e.com

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