VIVID TECHNOLOGIES INC
S-1/A, 1996-11-20
X-RAY APPARATUS & TUBES & RELATED IRRADIATION APPARATUS
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<PAGE>
 
   
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 20, 1996     
 
                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-14311
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                               ----------------
                                
                             AMENDMENT NO. 2     
                                      TO
                                   FORM S-1
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                               ----------------
 
                           VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
        DELAWARE                     3844                  04-3054475
     (STATE OR OTHER           (PRIMARY STANDARD        (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
     JURISDICTION OF              INDUSTRIAL         IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
    INCORPORATION OR          CLASSIFICATION CODE
      ORGANIZATION)                 NUMBER)
 
                               ----------------
 
         10E COMMERCE WAY, WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS 01801 (617) 938-7800
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                               ----------------
 
                              S. DAVID ELLENBOGEN
                     PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                           VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                               10E COMMERCE WAY
                  WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS 01801 (617) 938-7800
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                               ----------------
 
                                  Copies to:
      LAWRENCE M. LEVY, ESQUIRE               EDWIN L. MILLER, JR., ESQUIRE
   BROWN, RUDNICK, FREED & GESMER            TESTA, HURWITZ & THIBEAULT, llp
        One Financial Center                         125 High Street
     Boston, Massachusetts 02111               Boston, Massachusetts 02110
           (617) 856-8200                            (617) 248-7000
 
                               ----------------
 
       APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
     As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration
                                  Statement.
 
                               ----------------
 
  If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. [_]
 
  If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [_]
 
  If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
 
  If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
check the following box. [_]
 
 
                               ----------------
 
  THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
 
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- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                               EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
  This Registration Statement contains two forms of prospectus: one to be used
with a United States offering (the "U.S. Prospectus") and one to be used in
connection with a concurrent international offering (the "International
Prospectus"). The U.S. Prospectus and the International Prospectus will be
identical in all respects except for the front and back cover pages. The U.S.
Prospectus is included herein and is followed by those pages to be used in the
International Prospectus which differ from those used in the U.S. Prospectus.
Each of the pages for the International Prospectus included herein has been
labeled "Alternate Page for International Prospectus."
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE    +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY SUCH STATE.                                                               +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                 
              Subject to Completion, dated November 20, 1996     
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                2,000,000 SHARES
 
                            TECHNOLOGIES
                            INCORPORATED
               
             LOGO
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
                                  ------------
    
  All of the 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby are being sold by
Vivid Technologies, Inc. ("Vivid" or the "Company"). Of such shares, 1,600,000
shares are being offered in the United States and Canada (the "U.S. Offering")
by the U.S. Underwriters (as defined in "Underwriting"), and 400,000 shares are
being offered outside the United States and Canada in a concurrent
international offering (the "International Offering") by the International
Managers (as defined in "Underwriting," and, together with the U.S.
Underwriters, the "Underwriters"). These offerings are collectively referred to
herein as the "Offering." See "Underwriting." The closing of the U.S. Offering
is a condition to the closing of the International Offering and the closing of
the International Offering is a condition to the closing of the U.S. Offering.
    
  Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock.
The initial public offering price and underwriting discounts and commissions
are identical for each of the Offerings. See "Underwriting" for the factors to
be considered in determining the initial public offering price. It is currently
estimated that the initial public offering price will be between $12.00 and
$14.00 per share. The Common Stock has been approved for quotation on the
Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "VVID."
 
                                 ------------
 
   SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK OFFERED HEREBY.
 
                                 ------------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES  AND
 EXCHANGE  COMMISSION   OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  NOR   HAS  THE
  SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE COMMISSION  OR  ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION
   PASSED   UPON  THE  ACCURACY   OR  ADEQUACY   OF  THIS   PROSPECTUS.  ANY
    REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Price to Underwriting Discounts Proceeds to
                                      Public    and Commissions(1)   Company(2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>      <C>                    <C>
Per Share..........................   $                $                $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3)...........................  $               $                 $
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
    liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended (the "Securities Act"). See "Underwriting."
   
(2) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $650,000. The
    Company intends to use $5,780,650 of the net proceeds of the Offering to
    redeem all of its outstanding shares of nonconvertible redeemable Series A
    Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock. See "Risk Factors--
    Substantial Benefits of the Offering to Existing Stockholders," "Use of
    Proceeds" and "Certain Transactions--Certain Financing Transactions."     
(3) The Company has granted the U.S. Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase
    up to an aggregate of 240,000 additional shares of Common Stock solely to
    cover over-allotments, if any. The International Managers have been granted
    a similar option to purchase up to 60,000 additional shares solely to cover
    over-allotments, if any. If such options are exercised in full, the total
    Price to Public would be $   , the total Underwriting Discounts and
    Commissions would be $   , and the total Proceeds to Company before
    estimated expenses would be $   . See "Underwriting."
 
                                 ------------
 
  The shares of Common Stock offered by this Prospectus are offered by the U.S.
Underwriters subject to prior sale, to withdrawal, cancellation or modification
of the offer without notice, to delivery to and acceptance by the U.S.
Underwriters and to certain further conditions. It is expected that delivery of
the shares will be made at the offices of Lehman Brothers Inc., New York, New
York, on or about    , 1996.
 
LEHMAN BROTHERS
 
               COWEN & COMPANY
 
                                                         NEEDHAM & COMPANY, INC.
 
     , 1996
<PAGE>
 
[Graphic consists of map of western portion of Europe with small airplanes on
map signifying airports which have installed or ordered Vivid Systems]

The following legends appear on the graphics:
   
Vivid Logo  

Installations

BELGIUM
Brussels National Airport

ENGLAND
Bristol Airport
East Midlands Airport
London Gatwick Airport
London Heathrow Airport
London Stansted Airport
Newcastle Airport
Southampton Airport  

FRANCE
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
Paris Orly Airport*

NETHERLANDS
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

SCOTLAND
Aberdeen Airport
Edinburgh Airport
Glasgow Airport

SPAIN
Alicante Airport*

SWITZERLAND
Zurich Airport

*Systems on Order for Installation

   IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT 
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK OF
THE COMPANY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN 
MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET, IN THE 
OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE 
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.

<PAGE>
 

[Graphic consists of a schematic illustrating a possible configuration of the 
deployment of the Company's products at an airport, both in a multi-level 
checked baggage screening configuration in the baggage handling area and for 
screening carry-on baggage at the pre-board screening checkpoint area.
Photographs of the Company's VIS-M systems with multiple workstations, VDS-3
system, APS system and an image of the contents of a bag created by an APS 
system are superimposed on the graphic.]

The following legends appear on the graphic:
   
General Caption: Vivid's automated explosives detection systems are designed to
be used in a variety of multi-level checked baggage screening configurations in
airport baggage handling areas. Vivid's systems are also designed to inspect
carry-on baggage at the pre-board screening checkpoint. As of September 30, 1996
more than 100 of the Company's systems for checked baggage have been selected
for use at 16 airports in Europe, of which over 70 systems were installed.      

Level 1 System: The VIS-M system automatically (without the use of an operator)
inspects up to 1,500 checked bags per hour. Baggage cleared by the system
continues en route to the aircraft.

Level 2 Workstations: Images from bags rejected by the Level 1 system are 
reviewed by operators at remote Level 2 workstations. Baggage cleared by 
the operator continues en route to the aircraft. 

Level 3 System: Baggage rejected by the Level 2 operator is forwarded to Level
3 for a more detailed automated analysis and operator review. Baggage rejected
by Level 3 operators is opened in the presence of the passenger. 
   
Advanced Passenger Screening System: The recently introduced APS system
automatically indicates explosive materials contained in carry-on baggage. The
system is being evaluated by various governmental agencies and has not yet been
sold by the Company.     

APS Image: Suspect materials are highlighted in bright red to assist the
operator in the detection of explosives. Weapons, such as guns or knives, are
visible to the operator without enhancement.





<PAGE>
 
 
 
 
                                     (4/C)
<PAGE>
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
  The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more
detailed information and the consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto (the "Consolidated Financial Statements") appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus. All references in this Prospectus to the terms "Vivid" and the
"Company" refer to Vivid Technologies, Inc., its Massachusetts predecessor and
its wholly-owned subsidiaries unless otherwise required by the context. See
"Risk Factors" for information that should be considered by prospective
investors.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  The Company is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of automated
inspection systems which detect plastic and other explosives in airline
baggage. The Company's family of advanced explosives detection systems identify
targeted materials by analyzing the physical characteristics of each item in a
bag, including the atomic number and mass, using patented composition analysis
techniques and proprietary dual-energy X-ray technology. These systems
automatically (without the use of an operator) isolate and identify targeted
materials within a bag, thereby preventing a suspect bag from being loaded into
an aircraft until cleared by operator inspection. The Company's systems can
also be used to identify a wide variety of other substances, including drugs
and currency.
   
  In 1993, the Company's automated systems were successfully deployed in
airports as part of an integrated multi-level checked baggage screening
approach that is being adopted in many countries throughout the world. As of
September 30, 1996, the Company had sold more than 100 systems for installation
in airports throughout Europe of which over 70 systems had been installed. The
Company's systems are in use in 14 of the 17 airports that, to the knowledge of
the Company, have deployed advanced integrated automated explosives detection
systems. Airports at which the Company's systems are deployed include London
Heathrow and London Gatwick, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam, Zurich,
Brussels and Glasgow.     
 
  In response to the December 1988 bombing of Pan American Flight 103 over
Lockerbie, Scotland, many countries began to require the installation of
systems that could detect plastic and other explosives in airline baggage.
Europe, led by the United Kingdom, has been at the forefront of deploying
advanced automated explosives detection screening equipment. The United Kingdom
Department of Transport (the "UK DOT") has required all of the United Kingdom's
commercial airports to deploy systems for 100% screening of international
checked baggage by the end of 1997. The European Civil Aviation Conference
("ECAC"), an organization of 33 member states, has agreed to implement 100%
screening of international checked baggage by the year 2000. In the
Asia/Pacific region, major new airports and terminals, including those in Hong
Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea, are being designed to include 100%
screening of international checked baggage. In the United States, the Federal
Aviation Administration (the "FAA") has adopted more comprehensive standards
for explosives detection systems than those adopted by the rest of the world.
To date, no system has demonstrated that it meets these standards under
realistic airport operating conditions. As a result, only a limited number of
explosives detection systems have been deployed, primarily on a test basis, in
the United States. In response to the recent crash of TWA Flight 800 off Long
Island, New York in July 1996, the United States has enacted legislation which
includes a $144.2 million allocation for the purchase of explosives detection
systems and other advanced security equipment by air carriers and airport
authorities.
 
  The Company believes that the success of its systems is attributable to their
high performance, cost effectiveness, reliability, product breadth and system
flexibility. These systems identify plastic and other high explosives, with
relatively low false alarm rejections at throughputs of up to 1,500 bags per
hour, which is comparable to the peak throughput of existing baggage handling
equipment. The Company's installed base has had a reported average system
availability of over 99% at airports of varying sizes, including London
Heathrow, one of the world's largest international airports, serving more than
50 million passengers per year.
 
  The Company's objectives are to maintain its leadership in the airport
automated explosives detection systems market and to apply its technology to
address complementary applications. The key elements of the
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Company's strategy to achieve these objectives are to maintain its
technological leadership, to continue its international expansion, to
capitalize on the emerging United States market, to expand its product line and
applications for those products, and to explore strategic alliances and
acquisitions to complement its products and technology.
 
  The Company believes that installations of advanced automated explosives
detection systems at airports will accelerate the adoption of this technology
for other security applications, including the screening of airline carry-on
baggage, the protection of government and private facilities, and the screening
of mail. The Company is also exploring opportunities with various governmental
agencies in the United States and internationally to use its equipment for the
detection of drugs and currency. Further, the Company believes that its
technology can expand the use of X-ray in food processing and other process
control applications by providing enhanced or new value-added functions such as
material analysis, segregation and sorting of materials, and quality control.
 
  The Company was incorporated as a Massachusetts corporation in May 1989 under
the name of QDR Security, Inc. The Company changed its name to Vivitech, Inc.
in June 1989 and was renamed Vivid Technologies, Inc. in September 1989. In
October 1996, the Company changed its state of incorporation to Delaware. The
Company's principal executive offices are located at 10E Commerce Way, Woburn,
Massachusetts 01801, and its telephone number is (617) 938-7800.
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
 <C>                                                                 <S>
 Common Stock offered by the Company in the U.S. Offering........... 1,600,000 shares
 Common Stock offered by the Company in the International Offering..   400,000 shares
 Common Stock to be outstanding after the Offering(1)............... 8,792,370 shares
 Use of proceeds.................................................... For working capital and
                                                                     general corporate
                                                                     purposes. In addition,
                                                                     approximately $5.8
                                                                     million of the net
                                                                     proceeds will be used to
                                                                     redeem certain non-
                                                                     convertible redeemable
                                                                     Preferred Stock. See
                                                                     "Use of Proceeds."
 Nasdaq National Market symbol...................................... VVID
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Based upon the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of October
    15, 1996. Excludes 1,276,969 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance
    as of October 15, 1996 upon exercise of outstanding stock options and
    warrants. See "Management--Stock Option Plans," "Description of
    Securities--Warrants" and Notes 6 and 7 to the Consolidated Financial
    Statements.
 
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                       1992     1993     1994    1995    1996
                                      -------  -------  ------- ------- -------
<S>                                   <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 DATA:
Revenues............................  $   631  $ 2,854  $13,801 $14,437 $15,578
Income (loss) before income
 taxes(1)...........................   (2,091)    (859)   2,910   2,104   1,165
Net income (loss)...................  $(2,091) $  (859) $ 2,810 $ 2,014 $ 1,165
                                      =======  =======  ======= ======= =======
Net income (loss) per common and
 common equivalent share............  $ (0.38) $ (0.15) $  0.39 $  0.28 $  0.15
                                      =======  =======  ======= ======= =======
Weighted average number of common
 and common equivalent shares
 outstanding........................    5,496    5,815    7,198   7,275   7,869
                                      =======  =======  ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                                         -----------------------
                                                         ACTUAL   AS ADJUSTED(2)
                                                         -------  --------------
<S>                                                      <C>      <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital ........................................ $(1,037)    $22,620
Total assets............................................  11,963      29,585
Currently redeemable preferred stock....................   5,781         --
Stockholders' equity....................................     177      23,707
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996 expenses include litigation expenses of $0.2
    million, $0.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively, primarily relating to
    certain patent litigation which was settled by the Company on November 6,
    1996. See "Risk Factors--Limited Protection of Intellectual Property
    Rights; Patent Litigation," "Business--Intellectual Property" and "--Legal
    Proceedings."
(2) Adjusted to give effect to the sale of the 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock
    offered hereby at an assumed offering price of $13.00 per share, and the
    application of the proceeds therefrom, after deducting the estimated
    underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by the
    Company. See "Use of Proceeds" and "Capitalization."
 
                                ----------------
 
  The Vivid name and logo is a service mark of the Company. H-1, VIS, VIS-W,
VIS-M, VDS, VDS-II, VDS-III, APS, and Rapid Detection System are trademarks of
the Company.
   
  Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this Prospectus assumes (i) no
exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option, (ii) the redemption of
578,065 shares of non-convertible redeemable Series A Preferred Stock and
Series C Preferred Stock effective upon the closing of the Offering, (iii) the
conversion of all of the Company's issued and outstanding shares of convertible
Series B Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock into an aggregate of
5,045,850 shares of Common Stock effective upon the closing of the Offering,
and (iv) the filing of an amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation
(the "Restated Certificate of Incorporation") eliminating the Company's Series
A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and
Series D Preferred Stock, and effecting certain other changes. See "Risk
Factors--Substantial Benefits of the Offering to Existing Stockholders," "Use
of Proceeds," "Certain Transactions--Certain Financing Transactions,"
"Description of Securities" and the Consolidated Financial Statements.     
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  In addition to the other information in this Prospectus, investors should
carefully consider the following risk factors when evaluating an investment in
the Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus contains forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of the
Company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. The cautionary
statements made in this Prospectus should be read as being applicable to all
forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this Prospectus. The
Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed herein.
Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those
discussed below, as well as those discussed elsewhere in this Prospectus.
   
  Reliance on a Significant Customer. In fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996, sales to
BAA plc ("BAA"), formerly the British Airport Authority, accounted for
approximately 88%, 76% and 79% of the Company's revenues, respectively. BAA is
scheduled to complete deployment of checked baggage explosives detection
systems at its seven airports by the end of 1997. As a result, the Company
expects that its revenues from BAA will become increasingly dependent upon
sales of upgrades, replacement equipment and services, new orders from BAA
will decrease during fiscal 1997 and revenues from BAA will decrease during
the second half of fiscal 1997. The inability of the Company to obtain orders
from customers other than BAA would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business and financial condition. See "Business--Customers."     
 
  Dependence on Government Regulation. The Company's sales of its explosives
detection systems for use in airports has been and will continue to be
dependent upon governmental initiatives to require or support the screening of
baggage with advanced explosives detection systems. Substantially all of such
systems have been installed at airports in countries in which the applicable
governmental or regulatory authority overseeing the operations of the airport
has mandated such screening. Such mandates are influenced by many factors
outside of the control of the Company, including political and budgetary
concerns of governments, airlines and airports. In the United States, the
Aviation Security Act of 1990 directed the FAA to develop a standard for
explosives detection systems and required airports in the United States to
deploy systems meeting this standard by 1993. The standard adopted by the FAA
is more comprehensive than standards adopted in most other countries. The FAA
first certified a computed tomography ("CT") system in December 1994. However,
the FAA has recognized that this system must undergo further testing to
resolve whether it can operate under realistic airport operating conditions,
including processing baggage at required throughput rates. To date, no system
has demonstrated that it meets the FAA standard under realistic airport
operating conditions. As a result, the FAA has not required the installation
of automated explosives detection systems, and only a limited number of these
systems have been deployed, primarily on a test basis, in the United States.
The Company's systems do not meet the FAA certification standard. There can be
no assurance that any of the Company's systems will ever meet this or any
other United States certification standard. Moreover there can be no assurance
that additional countries will mandate the implementation of effective
explosives screening of airline baggage, or that, if mandated, the Company's
systems will meet the certification or other requirements of the applicable
governmental authority. See "Business--Regulation."
 
  In October 1996, the United States enacted legislation which includes a
$144.2 million allocation for the purchase of explosives detection systems and
other advanced security equipment by air carriers and airport authorities.
There can be no assurance that this legislation will not be modified to reduce
the funding for advanced explosives equipment, that the necessary
appropriations will be made to fund the purchases of advanced explosives
equipment contemplated by the legislation, or that, even if such appropriation
is made, any of the Company's automated explosives detection systems will be
purchased for installation at any airports in the United States. See
"Business--Industry Background."
 
  Developing Market; Uncertainty of Market Acceptance. The explosives
detection system market is at a relatively early stage of development.
Acceptance of explosives detection systems on a broad basis will be dependent
upon the acceptance and adoption of explosives detection systems by airlines
and airports throughout the world, the expansion of applications for
explosives detection technology, government initiatives to support the
expansion of this market, the performance and price of the Company's and its
competitors' products, customer reaction to those products and continued cost
and performance improvements in explosives detection technology. There can be
no assurance that the explosives detection market will develop further or that
the
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
Company will be successful in marketing its products effectively and obtaining
broader market acceptance for its products. Failure to do so would have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business and financial condition.
Further, if one of the Company's or a competitor's systems were to fail to
detect explosives and such failure resulted in an airline bombing, the ability
of the Company to market its products could be materially adversely affected.
See "Business--Industry Background."
   
  Substantial Benefits of the Offering to Existing Stockholders. The Company
intends to use $5.8 million of the net proceeds of the Offering to redeem all
of its outstanding shares of nonconvertible redeemable Series A Preferred
Stock and Series C Preferred Stock. This use of proceeds will result in a
substantial benefit to certain existing stockholders, including Beta Partners
Limited Partnership, an affiliate of a director of the Company, which owns an
aggregate of 80,121 shares of Series A and Series C Preferred Stock and will
therefore receive $0.8 million of the net proceeds of this offering. See "Use
of Proceeds" and "Certain Transactions--Certain Financing Transactions."     
 
  Dependence on Management and Key Employees. The Company's success will
depend in large part on the continued services of its executive officers and
other key management employees. The loss of one or more key management
employees or the failure to attract and retain additional personnel could have
a material adverse effect on the Company's business and financial condition.
S. David Ellenbogen, the Company's President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board, and Dr. Jay A. Stein, the Company's Senior Vice
President and a Director, also serve in similar positions at Hologic, Inc.
("Hologic"). Under a management agreement between the Company and Hologic,
Hologic has agreed to provide management services to the Company, including
the part-time assistance of Mr. Ellenbogen and Dr. Stein. Recently, Mr.
Ellenbogen and Dr. Stein have devoted approximately 20 and eight hours per
week, respectively, to the Company. The Company has commenced a search for a
Chief Operating Officer to further support its anticipated growth. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to attract and retain a
qualified Chief Operating Officer on a timely basis, if at all, or that the
Company will be able to successfully integrate such person, if hired. Mr.
Ellenbogen has advised the Company that, after the integration of such person,
he intends to reduce his time commitment to the Company. The failure of the
Company to attract and retain a qualified Chief Operating Officer could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business and financial condition. See
"Management" and "Certain Transactions--Hologic, Inc."
 
  Significant Fluctuations and Unpredictability of Operating
Results. Significant annual and quarterly fluctuations in the Company's
results of operations may be caused by several factors, including the overall
demand for explosives detection systems, market acceptance of the Company's
products, the timing of regulatory approvals for the Company's system and
government initiatives to promote the use of explosives detection systems such
as those manufactured and sold by the Company. Other factors that may cause
fluctuations in operating results include the timing of the announcement,
introduction and delivery of new products and product enhancements by the
Company and its competitors, variations in the Company's product mix and
component costs, timing of customer orders, adjustments of delivery schedules
to accommodate customers programs, the availability of materials and labor
necessary to produce the Company's products, the availability of components
from suppliers, the timing and level of expenditures in anticipation of future
sales, and pricing and other competitive conditions. Customers may also cancel
or reschedule shipments and production difficulties could delay shipments.
Relatively few system sales to relatively few customers comprise a significant
portion of the Company's revenues in each quarter. Therefore, small variations
in the number of systems sold could have a significant effect on the Company's
results of operations. The Company believes that period to period comparisons
of its results of operations are not necessarily meaningful and should not be
relied upon as indications of future performance.
 
  Lengthy Sales Cycle. As a result of the significant capital and other
commitments required to install and integrate the Company's products into an
airport baggage handling system, foreign regulatory approval requirements, and
the developing nature of the explosives detection market, the Company has
experienced extended sales cycles with its customers. The Company's sales
efforts with certain existing and potential customers have extended over
several years. Customers may initially purchase one or a few units for
extensive testing and evaluation before making a decision regarding volume
purchases and, in certain circumstances, the
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
Company may provide a potential customer with a demonstration unit for
regulatory testing and evaluation free of charge. Delays in anticipated
purchase orders could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business
and financial condition. See "Risk Factors--Significant Fluctuations and
Unpredictability of Operating Results" and "Business--Marketing and Sales."
 
  Reliance on International Sales. In fiscal 1995 and 1996, international
sales accounted for approximately 91% and 95%, respectively, of the Company's
revenues. The Company anticipates that international sales will continue to
account for a significant percentage of the Company's revenues. Risks
associated with international sales include, among other things, international
regulatory requirements and policy changes, political and economic
instability, possible foreign currency controls, intellectual property
protection, currency exchange rate fluctuations, tariffs or other barriers,
staffing and management of foreign operations, inventory management, accounts
receivable collection and the management of distributors or representatives.
In addition, most foreign countries have their own regulatory approval
requirements for sales of the Company's products. As a result, the Company's
introduction of new products into international markets can be costly and time
consuming, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
obtain the required regulatory approvals on a timely basis, if at all.
Furthermore, the Company's international sales have been denominated primarily
in United States dollars. The Company anticipates that its international sales
may increasingly be denominated in foreign currencies, which will expose the
Company to increased risks of currency fluctuation. There can be no assurance
that risks associated with international sales and operations will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business and financial condition. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and "Business--Marketing and Sales."
 
  Uncertainty of Product Development. The Company's success will depend upon
its ability to enhance its existing products, and to develop new products to
meet regulatory and customer requirements and to achieve market acceptance.
The enhancement and development of these products will be subject to all of
the risks associated with new product development, including unanticipated
delays, expenses, technical problems or other difficulties that could result
in the abandonment or substantial change in the commercialization of these
enhancements or new products. Given the uncertainties inherent with product
development and introduction, there can be no assurance that the Company will
be successful in introducing products or product enhancements on a timely
basis, if at all, or that the Company will be able to market successfully
these products and product enhancements once developed.
 
  Rapid Technological Change. The market for the Company's products is
characterized by rapid technological change and evolving industry
requirements. The Company believes that its future success will depend in
large part upon its ability to enhance its existing products and to
successfully develop new products that meet regulatory and customer
requirements and gain market acceptance. There can be no assurance that the
Company's products will not be rendered obsolete by new industry standards or
changing technology.
 
  Competition. The markets for the Company's products are highly competitive.
The Company's systems compete against dual energy X-ray as well as other
competing technologies, including CT and trace detection. Certain of the
Company's competitors have substantially greater manufacturing, marketing and
financial resources than the Company. In addition, other major corporations
have recently announced their intention to enter the security screening
market. One of the Company's competitors has developed a product based upon CT
scanner technology that was certified by the FAA. However, the FAA has
recognized that this system must undergo further testing to resolve whether it
can operate under realistic airport operating conditions. None of the
Company's products have been certified by the FAA. Competitors may develop
superior products or products of similar quality for sale at the same or lower
prices. Other technical innovations may impair the Company's ability to market
its products. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
compete successfully with existing or new competitors. See "Business--
Competition."
 
  Limited Protection of Intellectual Property Rights; Patent Litigation. The
Company's success depends significantly upon proprietary technology. The
Company relies on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade
secret laws, non-disclosure agreements and other contractual provisions to
establish, maintain and protect its proprietary rights, all of which afford
only limited protection. The Company has obtained two patents and has pending
four patent applications in the United States. In addition, for certain
foreign countries the
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Company has pending patent applications that correspond to the subject matter
of certain United States patents and patent applications. There can be no
assurance that any of the Company's patent applications will be granted, that
any patent or patent application will provide significant protection for the
Company's products and technology, or that the Company's current or future
products, processes or technology will not be challenged under patents held by
competitors or potential competitors. Moreover, there can be no assurance that
foreign intellectual property laws will protect the Company's intellectual
property rights. In the absence of significant patent protection, the Company
may be vulnerable to competitors who attempt to copy the Company's products,
processes or technology.
   
  The Company has an exclusive perpetual license to use certain patent rights
and technology developed by Hologic for the development, manufacture and sale
of X-ray screening security systems for explosives, drugs, currency and other
contraband (subject to termination by either party for certain defined
defaults). The Company also has a nonexclusive license to use this technology
for the development, manufacture and sale of X-ray-based products for process
control applications in the food and beverage industries. If the Company
desires to develop products for other applications, it must either use
alternative technology or obtain an additional license from Hologic. There can
be no assurance that the Company would be able to develop or license
alternative technology for any additional applications, or that the Company
would be able to license Hologic's technology for these applications on
favorable terms, if at all. In addition, there can be no assurance that
Hologic will not develop or license its technology to others for applications
competitive with those that may be developed by the Company outside of areas
for which the Company has an exclusive license. See "Certain Transactions--
Hologic, Inc."     
   
  The Company has been involved in patent litigation with EG&G Astrophysics
Research Corporation ("EG&G"), in which each party claimed that the other was
infringing certain patents held by the other. On November 6, 1996, the Company
and EG&G signed a settlement agreement pursuant to which, among other things,
each party agreed not to sue the other for patent infringement for nonmedical
uses of X-ray technology covered by each other's existing patents or by patent
applications which claim priority from such patents, or, for products existing
as of September 12, 1996, covered by patents that may be issued pursuant to
existing patent applications. As a result, each party will have broad rights
to use the other's existing X-ray technology for an unlimited period of time.
There can be no assurance that EG&G will not use the Company's technology in a
manner that would materially and adversely affect the Company's business and
financial condition. See "Business--Intellectual Property" and "--Legal
Proceedings."     
 
  In May 1996, in response to allegations made by American Science and
Engineering, Inc. ("AS&E") to third parties that the Company was infringing
AS&E's patents, the Company filed an action seeking a declaratory judgment
that the Company is not infringing AS&E's patents. In August 1996, AS&E filed
an answer and counterclaim alleging that the Company is infringing one or more
of eight AS&E patents. In October 1996, the court dismissed AS&E's
infringement counterclaims, but has allowed AS&E to raise more specific
infringement counterclaims upon AS&E asserting factual support for such
claims. Although the Company does not believe that it is infringing any valid
patent of AS&E, there can be no assurance that AS&E will not raise more
specific infringement counterclaims. Failure of the Company to prevail in this
litigation could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and
financial condition. See "Business--Intellectual Property" and "--Legal
Proceedings."
 
  Management of Growth. The Company has undergone a period of growth, and any
continued expansion may significantly strain the Company's management,
financial and other resources. Due to the level of technical and marketing
expertise necessary to support its existing and new customers, the Company
must attract and retain highly qualified and well-trained personnel. There are
a limited number of persons with the requisite skills to serve in these
positions, and it may become increasingly difficult for the Company to hire
such personnel. The Company's expansion may also significantly strain the
Company's management, manufacturing, financial and other resources. There can
be no assurance that the Company's systems, procedures, and controls will be
adequate to support the Company's operations. Failure to manage the Company's
growth properly could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business
and financial condition. See "Management."
 
  Risks Associated with Possible Acquisitions. The Company intends to pursue
potential acquisitions of businesses, products and technologies that could
complement or expand the Company's business. There can be
 
                                       9

<PAGE>
 
no assurance that the Company will be able to identify any appropriate
acquisition candidate. If the Company identifies an acquisition candidate,
there can be no assurance that the Company would be able to successfully
negotiate the terms of any such acquisition, finance such acquisition or
integrate such acquired business, products or technologies into the Company's
existing business and products. Furthermore, the negotiation of potential
acquisitions as well as the integration of an acquired business could cause
diversion of management's time and resources, and require the Company to use
proceeds from the Offering to consummate a potential acquisition. There can be
no assurance that a given acquisition, whether or not consummated, would not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business or financial
condition. If the Company consummates one or more significant acquisitions in
which consideration consists of Common Stock, stockholders of the Company
could suffer significant dilution of their interests in the Company. See "Risk
Factors--Management of Growth."
 
  Dependence on Principal Supplier for APS System. The Company purchases all
of the X-ray mainframes for its recently introduced APS automated explosives
detection system for carry-on baggage from Gilardoni S.p.A. ("Gilardoni"),
which is located in Italy. The Company and Gilardoni are negotiating an
arrangement under which the Company will manufacture the X-ray mainframes for
the APS systems to be sold outside of Europe, and Gilardoni will manufacture
certain of the Company's systems to be sold in Europe. There can be no
assurance that these negotiations will be successful. An inability of the
Company to obtain timely deliveries of X-ray mainframes of acceptable quality
on favorable terms from Gilardoni could materially adversely affect the
Company's sales of APS systems.
 
  Potential for Product Liability Claims. The Company's business involves the
risk of product liability claims inherent to the explosives detection
industry. There are many factors beyond the control of the Company that could
result in the failure of the Company's products to detect explosives, such as
the reliability of a customer's operators, the ongoing training of such
operators and the maintenance of the Company's products by its customers. For
these and other reasons, there can be no assurance that the Company's products
will detect all explosives concealed in screened bags. The failure to detect
an explosive could give rise to product liability claims and result in
negative publicity that could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business and financial condition. The Company currently maintains aviation
product liability insurance with an aggregate coverage limit of $150 million
per year, subject to certain deductibles and exclusions. There can be no
assurance that this insurance will be sufficient to protect the Company from
product liability claims, or that product liability insurance will continue to
be available to the Company at a reasonable cost, if at all.
 
  Concentration of Ownership; Control by Management. Upon completion of the
Offering, the Company's executive officers, directors and their affiliates and
members of their immediate families will beneficially own approximately 24.6%
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, excluding shares issuable upon
exercise of options and warrants. As a result, these stockholders, if acting
together, will be able to exert substantial influence over actions requiring
stockholder approval, including the election of directors, amendments to the
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, mergers, sales of assets or
other business acquisitions or dispositions. See "Principal Stockholders."
 
  Antitakeover Provisions. The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
contains certain provisions that may discourage bids for the Company. This
could limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the
future for shares of the Common Stock. See "Description of Securities."
 
  No Prior Market for Common Stock; Possible Volatility of Stock Price. Prior
to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock, and no
assurance can be given that any market for the Common Stock will develop or be
sustained. The initial public offering price will be determined through
negotiations between the Company and the Underwriters. Such price may not be
indicative of prices of the Common Stock that will prevail in the trading
market. In addition, the market price for the Common Stock may be highly
volatile. Factors such as the announcement of technical innovations or new
products by the Company or its competitors, announcements of and changes in
government initiatives to promote the use of the Company's or its competitor's
products, variations in anticipated or actual operating results, market
conditions and general economic conditions may have a significant impact on
the market price of the Common Stock. See "Underwriting."
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
  Shares Eligible for Future Sale. Sales of shares of Common Stock in the
public market following the Offering by existing stockholders or option or
warrant holders could adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock.
Upon the expiration of contractual lock-up periods 180 days after the
effective date of this Prospectus (or earlier upon the consent of Lehman
Brothers), 4,359,520 shares of Common Stock (plus shares issuable upon the
exercise of then vested options) will become eligible for sale subject to the
restrictions of Rule 144, and in some cases, Rule 701 under the Securities
Act, and 2,432,850 shares of Common Stock will be eligible for sale in the
public market without restriction under Rule 144(k). Upon the expiration of
the lock-up period, holders of 2,898,520 shares of Common Stock and warrants
to acquire 210,199 shares of Common Stock will have certain registration
rights. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
 
  Immediate and Substantial Dilution. Based upon the net tangible book value
of the Company at September 30, 1996, purchasers of Common Stock offered
hereby will experience immediate and substantial dilution of approximately
$10.30 per share. Purchasers of Common Stock will experience additional
dilution if outstanding options and warrants are exercised. See "Dilution."
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The net proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of the shares
of Common Stock offered hereby are estimated to be $23.5 million, assuming an
initial public offering price of $13.00 per share and after deducting the
estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable
by the Company.
 
  The principal purposes of the Offering are to increase the Company's
capitalization and financial flexibility, to provide a public market for the
Common Stock and to facilitate future access to public equity markets. The
Company believes that its enhanced financial position will provide the Company
with needed flexibility to respond to technological and market developments
and opportunities, and enhance its ability to attract and retain customers.
   
  The Company intends to use $5.8 million of the net proceeds to redeem all of
its outstanding shares of non-convertible redeemable Series A Preferred Stock
and Series C Preferred Stock, including $0.8 million to Beta Partners Limited
Partnership, an affiliate of a director of the Company. The Company
anticipates that the balance of the net proceeds will be used to increase
funds available for general corporate purposes, including working capital,
research and development, international sales and service offices and capital
equipment. In addition, the Company may use a portion of the proceeds to
expand its presence in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region, including to expand
its sales and service office in the United Kingdom, to establish additional
sales and service offices in Europe and in the Asia/Pacific region, and to
establish a manufacturing operation in one or more of those regions. Proceeds
may also be used to acquire companies, technologies or products that
complement the business of the Company. As of the date of this Prospectus, the
Company has no agreements or commitments and is not currently engaged in any
negotiations for any such acquisition. See "Risk Factors--Risks Associated
with Possible Acquisitions" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."     
 
  Pending such uses, the Company intends to invest the net proceeds in short-
term, investment-grade, interest-bearing investments.
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
  The Company has never declared or paid cash dividends on its capital stock
and does not plan to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The
Company's current policy is to retain all of its earnings to finance future
growth. The Company's bank line of credit prohibits the payment of cash
dividends without prior bank approval.
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
                                   DILUTION
   
  At September 30, 1996, the Company had a pro forma net tangible book value
of $0.2 million or $0.02 per share of Common Stock. "Net tangible book value
per share" represents the tangible book value of the Company (total tangible
assets less total liabilities) divided by the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the conversion of all
of the Company's outstanding shares of Series B and Series D Preferred Stock
into 5,045,850 shares of Common Stock. Without taking into account any changes
in such net tangible book value after September 30, 1996, other than to give
effect to the sale by the Company of the 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock
offered by the Company hereby at an assumed initial public offering price of
$13.00 and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and
commissions and offering expenses payable by the Company, the pro forma net
tangible book value of the Company at September 30, 1996 would have been $23.7
million, or $2.70 per share. This represents an immediate increase in the net
tangible book value per share of $2.68 to existing stockholders and an
immediate dilution of the net tangible book value per share of $10.30 to
persons purchasing the Common Stock offered hereby (the "New Investors"). The
following table illustrates this per share dilution:     
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                             <C>   <C>
   Assumed initial public offering price per share................       $13.00
     Pro forma net tangible book value per share before the
      Offering.................................................... $0.02
     Increase per share attributable to New Investors.............  2.68
                                                                   -----
   Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after
    the Offering..................................................         2.70
                                                                         ------
   Dilution per share to New Investors............................       $10.30
                                                                         ======
</TABLE>
 
  The following table sets forth on a pro forma basis, as of September 30,
1996, the total number of shares purchased from the Company after giving
effect to the sale of the 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered by the
Company hereby, the total consideration paid to the Company and the average
price per share paid by existing stockholders and by New Investors at an
assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             SHARES PURCHASED  TOTAL CONSIDERATION
                             ----------------- ------------------- AVERAGE PRICE
                              NUMBER   PERCENT   AMOUNT    PERCENT   PER SHARE
                             --------- ------- ----------- ------- -------------
<S>                          <C>       <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>
Existing Stockholders....... 6,786,370    77%  $   659,290     2%     $ 0.10
New Investors............... 2,000,000    23    26,000,000    98       13.00
                             ---------   ---   -----------   ---
  Total..................... 8,786,370   100%  $26,659,290   100%
                             =========   ===   ===========   ===
</TABLE>
 
  The above information assumes (i) no exercise of the Underwriters' over-
allotment option, (ii) the conversion of all outstanding Series B Preferred
Stock and Series D Preferred Stock into an aggregate of 5,045,850 shares of
Common Stock and (iii) no exercise of outstanding options and warrants after
September 30, 1996. As of September 30, 1996, there were outstanding options
and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,260,569 shares of Common Stock at
exercise prices ranging from $0.10 to $3.00 per share. If all of these options
and warrants were exercised in full, there would be additional dilution to New
Investors. See "Management--Stock Option Plans," "Certain Transactions--
Certain Financing Transactions," "Description of Securities--Warrants" and
Notes 6 and 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
                                CAPITALIZATION
 
  The following table sets forth (a) the capitalization of the Company as of
September 30, 1996 and (b) the as adjusted capitalization of the Company to
give effect to (i) the conversion of all of the Company's outstanding shares
of Series B Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock into 5,045,850 shares
of Common Stock, (ii) the filing of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation,
and (iii) the sale of the 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered by the
Company hereby and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, assuming an
initial public offering price of $13.00 per share, after deducting the
estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable
by the Company. This table should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated
Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                                       -----------------------
                                                         ACTUAL    AS ADJUSTED
                                                       ----------  -----------
<S>                                                    <C>         <C>
Obligation under capital leases....................... $   36,888  $    36,888
                                                       ==========  ===========
Redeemable preferred stock, $.01 par value:
  Series A Preferred Stock:
    Authorized--234,375 shares actual, none as
     adjusted
    Issued and outstanding--234,375 shares actual,
     none as adjusted................................. $2,343,750  $       --
  Series C Preferred Stock:
    Authorized--343,690 shares actual, none as
     adjusted
    Issued and outstanding--343,690 shares actual,
     none as adjusted.................................  3,436,900          --
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred Stock, $.01 par value:
      Authorized--none actual, 1,000,000 shares as
       adjusted
      Issued and outstanding--none actual or as
       adjusted.......................................        --           --
  Convertible Preferred Stock, $.01 par value:
    Series B Preferred Stock:
      Authorized--250,000 shares actual, none as
       adjusted
      Issued and outstanding--250,000 shares actual,
       none as adjusted...............................      2,500          --
    Series D Preferred Stock:
      Authorized--254,585 shares actual, none as
       adjusted
      Issued and outstanding 254,585 shares actual,
       none as adjusted...............................      2,546          --
  Common Stock, $.01 par value:
      Authorized--7,500,000 shares actual, 30,000,000
       shares as adjusted
      Issued and outstanding--1,740,520 shares actual,
       8,786,370 shares as adjusted...................     17,405       87,864
Capital in excess of par value........................    594,279   24,058,866
Accumulated deficit...................................   (440,149)    (440,149)
                                                       ----------  -----------
  Total stockholders' equity .........................    176,581   23,706,581
                                                       ----------  -----------
      Total capitalization............................ $5,957,231  $23,706,581
                                                       ==========  ===========
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Excludes 1,260,569 shares of Common Stock reserved as of September 30,
    1996 for issuance upon exercise of outstanding options and warrants. See
    Notes 6 and 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
  The following table contains certain selected consolidated financial data of
the Company and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed Consolidated
Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The statement of
operations data for the fiscal years ended September 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996,
and the balance sheet data as of September 30, 1995 and 1996, have been derived
from the Consolidated Financial Statements, which statements have been audited
by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, and are included
elsewhere in this Prospectus. The statement of operations data for the fiscal
years ended September 30, 1992 and 1993, and the balance sheet data as of
September 30, 1992, 1993 and 1994 have been derived from the Company's
consolidated financial statements, which statements have been audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP and are not included in this Prospectus. This data should be read
in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" and the Consolidated Financial Statements
appearing elsewhere herein.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                   -------------------------------------------
                                    1992     1993     1994     1995     1996
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
                                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                              <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
 OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues.........................  $   631  $ 2,854  $13,801  $14,437  $15,578
Cost of revenues.................      368    1,921    6,762    6,129    6,899
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
  Gross margin...................      263      933    7,039    8,308    8,679
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Operating expenses:
  Research and development.......    1,620    1,139    2,296    3,653    3,462
  Selling and marketing..........      113      317      716    1,077    1,395
  General and administrative.....      549      221      916    1,120    1,515
  Litigation expenses............      --       --       199      309    1,150
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
    Total operating expenses.....    2,282    1,677    4,127    6,159    7,522
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Income (loss) from operations....   (2,019)    (744)   2,912    2,149    1,157
Interest income (expense), net...      (72)    (115)      (2)     (45)       8
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Income (loss) before income
 taxes...........................   (2,091)    (859)   2,910    2,104    1,165
Provision for income taxes.......      --       --       100       90      --
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
  Net income (loss)..............  $(2,091) $  (859) $ 2,810  $ 2,014  $ 1,165
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
Net income (loss) per common and
 common equivalent share.........  $ (0.38) $ (0.15) $  0.39  $  0.28  $  0.15
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
Weighted average number of common
 and common equivalent shares
 outstanding.....................    5,496    5,815    7,198    7,275    7,869
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
<CAPTION>
                                                SEPTEMBER 30,
                                   -------------------------------------------
                                    1992     1993     1994     1995     1996
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital..................  $(1,292) $  (338) $ 2,054  $ 3,968  $(1,037)
Total assets.....................    1,153    1,509    6,365    7,740   11,963
Redeemable preferred stock,
 including current portion.......    4,144    5,781    5,781    5,781    5,781
Stockholders' equity (deficit)...   (5,217)  (5,887)  (3,065)  (1,045)     177
</TABLE>
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
 
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the
"Selected Consolidated Financial Data" and the Consolidated Financial
Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus. This Prospectus contains
certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such
as statements of the Company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions.
The cautionary statements made in this Prospectus should be read as being
applicable to all forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this
Prospectus. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or
contribute to such differences include those discussed below, as well as those
discussed elsewhere herein.
 
OVERVIEW
   
  The Company was founded in 1989 to develop, manufacture and market automated
explosives detection systems following the bombing of Pan American Flight 103
over Lockerbie, Scotland. Following its organization, the Company undertook
extensive research and development, introducing its first free standing
automated explosives detection system, the H-1, in 1991, and its first
integrated automated explosives detection systems for Level 1 and Level 2
screening, the VIS and VDS, in 1993. The Company commenced commercial
shipments of its VIS and VDS systems in January 1994. As of September 30,
1996, the Company had sold more than 100 systems for installation in airports
throughout Europe of which over 70 systems had been installed.     
 
  The Company's sales are primarily to owners and operators of airports,
including foreign governments and regulatory authorities. The Company's
revenues are derived primarily from product sales. The Company recognizes
revenue from product sales upon shipment to the customer, provided that no
significant Company obligations remain outstanding and collection of the
related receivable is deemed probable by management. The Company accrues for
anticipated warranty and installation costs upon shipment. The Company's
revenues also include government research and development grants and revenues
from service, the sale of spare parts and training, which have comprised less
than 10% of revenues in the periods presented. In fiscal 1995 and 1996, the
Company recognized $1.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, in development
revenue from an FAA grant. As of September 30, 1996, the Company had
substantially completed its work under this grant.
   
  The Company has an exclusive perpetual license to use certain patent rights
and technology developed by Hologic for the development, manufacture and sale
of X-ray screening security systems for explosives, drugs, currency and other
contraband (subject to termination by either party for certain defined
defaults). The Company also has a nonexclusive license to use these patents
and technology for the development, manufacture and sale of X-ray based
products which may be used for process control applications in the food and
beverage industries. See "Risk Factors--Limited Protection of Intellectual
Property Rights; Patent Litigation" and "Certain Transactions--Hologic, Inc."
    
  The Company's cost of revenues includes a 5% royalty payable with respect to
product sales and other revenues derived from certain patents and technology
exclusively licensed from Hologic for use in the development, manufacture and
sale of X-ray screening security systems for explosives, drugs, currency and
other contraband. This royalty will be reduced to 3% upon the Company reaching
$50 million in cumulative revenues under this exclusive license agreement, and
eliminated upon the Company reaching $200 million of such cumulative revenues.
Through September 30, 1996 the Company had recorded revenues in the aggregate
amount of approximately $46.9 million subject to this exclusive license. See
"Business--Intellectual Property" and "Certain Transactions--Hologic, Inc."
   
  In fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996, sales to BAA accounted for approximately 88%,
76% and 79% of revenues, respectively. BAA is scheduled to complete deployment
of checked baggage explosives detection systems at its seven airports by the
end of 1997. As a result, the Company expects that its revenues from BAA will
become increasingly dependent upon sales of upgrades, replacement equipment
and services, new orders from BAA will decrease during fiscal 1997 and
revenues from BAA will decrease during the second half of fiscal 1997. The
failure of the Company to obtain orders from customers other than BAA would
have a material adverse     
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
effect on the Company's business and financial condition. See "Risk Factors--
Reliance on a Significant Customer."
 
  Substantially all of the Company's revenues have been generated by sales to
customers outside the United States. The Company's foreign sales have occurred
principally in the UK and other Western European countries. The Company has a
sales and service office in the UK to support its European operations, plans
to expand its presence in Europe and the Asia/Pacific Region, and expects
international sales to remain an important component of the Company's
business. The Company's export sales have been denominated primarily in United
States dollars. To the extent that the Company changes its pricing practices
to denominate prices in foreign currencies, the Company will be exposed to
increased risks of currency fluctuation. See "Risk Factors--Reliance on
International Sales."
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  For the periods indicated, the following table sets forth the percentage of
revenues represented by the respective line items in the Company's
consolidated statement of operations:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 YEAR ENDED
                                                               SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                               ----------------
                                                               1994  1995  1996
                                                               ----  ----  ----
<S>                                                            <C>   <C>   <C>
Revenues...................................................... 100%  100%  100%
Cost of revenues..............................................  49    42    44
                                                               ---   ---   ---
  Gross margin................................................  51    58    56
Operating expenses:
  Research and development....................................  17    25    22
  Selling and marketing.......................................   5     8     9
  General and administrative..................................   7     8    10
  Litigation expenses.........................................   1     2     8
                                                               ---   ---   ---
    Total operating expenses..................................  30    43    49
                                                               ---   ---   ---
Income from operations........................................  21    15     7
Interest income (expense), net................................ --    --    --
                                                               ---   ---   ---
Income before income taxes....................................  21    15     7
Provision for income taxes....................................   1     1   --
                                                               ---   ---   ---
  Net income .................................................  20%   14%    7%
                                                               ===   ===   ===
</TABLE>
 
  FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1995
 
  Revenues. Revenues increased by approximately 8% to $15.6 million in fiscal
1996, from $14.4 million in fiscal 1995. This increase was the result of an
increase in product sales which was partially offset by a decrease in FAA
development grants. The increase in product sales was primarily attributable
to an increase in unit sales, which was partially offset by lower average
selling prices.
 
  Gross Margin. Gross margin decreased to 56% of revenues in fiscal 1996
compared to 58% of revenues in fiscal 1995. The decrease in gross margin was
primarily attributable to the Company's change in product mix, lower average
selling prices, and a reduction in revenues associated with the Company's FAA
grant which were partially offset by manufacturing efficiencies.
   
  During fiscal 1995 and the first half of fiscal 1996, the Company's product
sales consisted primarily of sales of the VIS-W. During the second half of
fiscal 1996, product sales shifted to the newly introduced VIS-M, VDS-III, and
SDE upgrades, each of which has a lower average selling price than the VIS-W.
The Company was able to reduce certain component cost and achieve other
manufacturing efficiencies in the design of the VIS-M and VDS-III, which
substantially offset these lower selling prices. In addition, the Company's
work under its FAA grant was completed in the third quarter of fiscal 1996.
The effect of this grant increased the Company's gross margin by approximately
2% in the first three quarters of fiscal 1996. The Company believes that it
will continue     
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
   
to experience pricing pressures in fiscal 1997. There can be no assurance that
the Company will be able to continue to reduce manufacturing costs to offset
further reductions, if any, in prices.     
 
  Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses
decreased by approximately 5% to $3.5 million (22% of revenues) in fiscal 1996
from $3.7 million (25% of revenues) in fiscal 1995. The decrease was primarily
attributable to expenditures in fiscal 1995 related to the Company's
development of its VIS-M product, which was substantially completed by the
first quarter of fiscal 1996.
 
  Selling and Marketing Expenses. Selling and marketing expenses increased by
approximately 29% to $1.4 million (9% of revenues) in fiscal 1996 from $1.1
million (8% of revenues) in fiscal 1995. The increase was primarily
attributable to additional sales and support personnel, and to an increase in
advertising, consulting and trade show costs. The Company anticipates that it
will continue to expand its selling and marketing efforts in fiscal 1997.
 
  General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses
increased by approximately 35% to $1.5 million (10% of revenues) in fiscal
1996 from $1.1 million (8% of revenues) in fiscal 1995. The increase was
primarily attributable to an increase in personnel and additional overhead
costs related to the Company's move to a new facility in March 1996. The
Company anticipates that it will continue to increase its general and
administrative costs in fiscal 1997.
 
  Litigation Expenses. The Company incurred $1.2 million and $0.3 million of
litigation expenses in fiscal 1996 and 1995, respectively, primarily in
connection with the Company's patent litigation with EG&G. On November 6,
1996, the Company entered into an agreement with EG&G to settle this
litigation. The litigation expenses in fiscal 1996 also included expenses
incurred in connection with the Company's litigation with AS&E. In October
1996, the court dismissed AS&E's infringement counterclaims, but has allowed
AS&E to raise more specific infringement counterclaims upon AS&E asserting
factual support for such claims. As a result of the Company's settlement with
EG&G, the Company expects litigation expenses to be substantially reduced in
fiscal 1997. See "Risk Factors--Limited Protection of Intellectual Property
Rights; Patent Litigation," "Business--Intellectual Property" and "--Legal
Proceedings."
 
  Interest Income (Expense), Net. The Company recognized net interest income
of $8,000 in fiscal 1996 and net interest expense of $45,000 in fiscal 1995.
The change in interest income (expense), net was primarily attributable to
reduced average borrowings by the Company under its bank working capital line
of credit.
 
  Provision for Income Taxes. The Company recorded no provision for income
taxes in fiscal 1996 compared to an effective tax rate of 4% in fiscal 1995.
The provision for income taxes in fiscal 1996 reflected the Company's
recognition of a deferred tax asset. This reduction reflects management's
determination, in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board's
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 109, that it is more
likely than not that this deferred tax asset will be utilized. If the Company
had not recognized this deferred tax asset, the Company's effective tax rate
in fiscal 1996 would have been 16%. The Company expects that its effective tax
rate will be slightly lower than the statutory tax rates primarily due to the
use of tax credits and the tax benefits associated with the Company's foreign
sales corporation.
 
  FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1994
 
  Revenues. Revenues increased by approximately 5% to $14.4 million in fiscal
1995 from $13.8 million in fiscal 1994. The increase was primarily
attributable to an increase in development revenues that were partially offset
by a slight decrease in product revenues. In fiscal 1995, the Company
recognized $1.4 million in development revenues from the FAA, compared to no
such development revenues in fiscal 1994. Product sales in fiscal 1995
reflected a significant increase in sales of the Company's VIS-W product which
was offset by a decrease in the number of other products sold.
   
  Gross Margin. Gross margin increased to 58% of product sales in fiscal 1995
from 51% of product sales in fiscal 1994. Gross margin increased as a
percentage of revenues in fiscal 1995 primarily due to a volume increase in
the number of VIS-W systems sold and associated manufacturing efficiencies.
The Company began commercial shipments of its systems in fiscal 1994. Sales
during this period consisted primarily of first generation VDS systems. In
fiscal 1995, sales shifted primarily to the higher priced VIS-W systems.
During the year, the Company was able to achieve certain manufacturing
efficiencies in connection with the sale of these     
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
   
systems, primarily through the reduction of component costs. During fiscal
1995, the Company also received revenues from an FAA grant. The effect of this
grant decreased the Company's gross margin by approximately 2% in fiscal 1995.
    
  Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses
increased by approximately 59% to $3.7 million (25% of revenues) in fiscal
1995 from $2.3 million (17% of revenues) in fiscal 1994. The increase was
primarily attributable to the addition of engineering personnel and outside
consultants working on the development of new products and product
enhancements, including the Company's VIS-M product.
 
  Selling and Marketing Expenses. Selling and marketing expenses increased by
approximately 50% to $1.1 million (8% of revenues) in fiscal 1995 from $0.7
million (5% of revenues) in fiscal 1994. The increase was primarily
attributable to additional sales and support personnel, including staffing of
the Company's United Kingdom office, and to an increase in advertising and
trade show costs.
 
  General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses
increased by approximately 22% to $1.1 million (8% of revenues) in fiscal 1995
from $0.9 million (7% of revenues) in fiscal 1994. The increase was primarily
attributable costs associate with the Company's growth, including the addition
of personnel, additional costs associated with its United Kingdom subsidiary
and an increase in management services provided by Hologic.
 
  Litigation Expenses. The Company incurred $0.3 million and $0.2 million of
litigation expenses in fiscal 1995 and 1994, respectively, in connection with
the Company's patent litigation with EG&G.
 
  Interest Income (Expense), Net. The Company incurred net interest expense of
$45,000 and $2,000, respectively, in fiscal 1995 and fiscal 1994,
respectively. The increase was primarily attributable to increased average
borrowings by the Company under its bank working capital line of credit.
 
  Provision for Income Taxes. The Company's effective tax rate was 4% in
fiscal 1995 and 3% in fiscal 1994. The provision for income taxes in these
years consisted primarily of federal alternative minimum tax. The Company's
effective tax rate was lower than the statutory tax rates due primarily to the
use of tax credits, the use of net loss carryforwards, and certain tax
benefits associated with the Company's foreign sales corporation incorporated
in December 1994.
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following table presents certain unaudited consolidated quarterly
financial information for the eight quarters ended September 30, 1996. In the
opinion of the Company's management, this information has been prepared on the
same basis as the Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in
this Prospectus and includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal
recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial results set
forth herein. Results of operations for any previous quarter are not
necessarily indicative of results for any future periods.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        QUARTER ENDED
                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          DEC. 31, MAR. 31, JUNE 30, SEPT. 30, DEC. 31, MAR. 31, JUNE 30, SEPT. 30
                            1994     1995     1995     1995      1995     1996     1996     1996
                          -------- -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED
 STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 DATA:
Revenues................   $3,795   $3,575   $3,357   $3,710    $3,017   $3,224   $3,921   $5,416
Cost of revenues........    1,801    1,745    1,507    1,076     1,259    1,398    1,704    2,538
                           ------   ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------   ------
 Gross margin...........    1,994    1,830    1,850    2,634     1,758    1,826    2,217    2,878
Operating expenses:
 Research and
  development...........      805    1,054    1,023      771       789      799      924      950
 Selling and marketing..      237      262      296      282       285      268      434      408
 General and
  administrative........      277      247      332      264       341      364      365      445
 Litigation expenses....       98      111       18       82        61       61       61      967
                           ------   ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------   ------
 Total operating
  expenses..............    1,417    1,674    1,669    1,399     1,476    1,492    1,784    2,770
                           ------   ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------   ------
Income from operations..      577      156      181    1,235       282      334      433      108
Interest income
 (expense), net.........       (9)     (23)     (20)       7        18        7      (23)       6
                           ------   ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------   ------
Income before income
 taxes..................      568      133      161    1,242       300      341      410      114
Provision for income
 taxes..................       24        6        7       53       --       --       --       --
                           ------   ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------   ------
 Net income.............   $  544   $  127   $  154   $1,189    $  300   $  341   $  410   $  114
                           ======   ======   ======   ======    ======   ======   ======   ======
<CAPTION>
                                                        QUARTER ENDED
                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          DEC. 31, MAR. 31, JUNE 30, SEPT. 30, DEC. 31, MAR. 31, JUNE 30, SEPT. 30,
                            1994     1995     1995     1995      1995     1996     1996     1996
                          -------- -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL
 REVENUES:
Revenues................      100%     100%     100%     100%      100%     100%     100%     100%
Cost of revenues........       48       49       45       29        42       43       43       47
                           ------   ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------   ------
 Gross margin...........       52       51       55       71        58       57       57       53
                           ------   ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------   ------
Operating expenses:
 Research and
  development...........       21       30       31       21        26       25       24       18
 Selling and marketing..        6        7        9        8        10        8       11        7
 General and
  administrative........        7        7       10        7        11       11        9        8
 Litigation expenses....        3        3      --         2         2        2        2       18
                           ------   ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------   ------
 Total operating
  expenses..............       37       47       50       38        49       46       46       51
                           ------   ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------   ------
Income from operations..       15        4        5       33         9       11       11        2
Interest income
 (expense), net.........      --        --      --       --          1      --       (1)      --
                           ------   ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------   ------
Income before income
 taxes..................       15        4        5       33        10       11       10        2
Provision for income
 taxes..................        1      --       --         1       --       --       --       --
                           ------   ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------   ------
 Net income.............       14%       4%       5%      32%       10%      11%      10%       2%
                           ======   ======   ======   ======    ======   ======   ======   ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
  The Company's results of operations have been and may continue to be subject
to significant quarterly fluctuations, due to a number of factors, many of
which are beyond the control of the Company. Relatively few system sales to
relatively few customers comprise a significant portion of the Company's
revenues in each quarter. Therefore, small variations in the number of systems
sold could have a significant effect on the Company's results of operations.
The Company believes that period to period comparisons of its results of
operations are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as
indications of future performance. See "Risk Factors--Significant Fluctuations
and Unpredictability of Operating Results."
 
  The Company has received a substantial portion of its revenues from product
sales to BAA. In the third quarter of fiscal 1996, the Company began shipment
of its first VIS-M products. In the same period, the Company began upgrading
previously installed systems with its new scatter detection enhancement
technology. Revenues in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996 also reflected sales
of its freestanding VDS systems, including its VDS-III, which the Company
introduced and began shipping in that quarter.
 
  The quarterly fluctuations of the Company's gross margin was primarily
attributable to changing product mix, initial costs associated with the
introduction of the Company's VIS-M and VDS-III products increased
manufacturing efficiencies achieved as the Company's products have matured
and, in fiscal 1995, year-end inventory adjustments.
 
  The Company's research and development expense increased in the third and
fourth quarters of fiscal 1996, primarily reflecting expenses incurred in the
development of the Company's APS explosives detection system for carry-on
baggage and the continued enhancement of its existing products. The growth of
selling and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses
reflects the Company's growing infrastructure, including increased marketing,
operational and administrative staff to support the Company's sales and
anticipated growth, and increased trade show costs. The increase in litigation
expenses in the fourth quarter of 1996 was primarily attributable to expenses
incurred in connection with the Company's litigation with EG&G, which was
settled on November 6, 1996.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
  Since inception, the Company has funded its operations and capital
expenditures through internally generated cash flow, proceeds from sales of
securities and the availability of a working capital line of credit. At
September 30, 1996, the Company had a working capital deficit of $1.0 million,
including $1.7 million in cash and cash equivalents. The Company also has a
$3.0 million bank line of credit which expires on February 28, 1997. The
Company's bank line of credit bears interest at the bank's prime rate (8.25%
as of September 30, 1996). The line of credit is secured by substantially all
of the Company's assets and contains certain financial and other covenants. At
September 30, 1996, the Company had no amounts outstanding under this line of
credit.
   
  During fiscal 1996, the Company's net cash used in operating activities was
approximately $0.2 million. During that period, $2.6 million and $1.6 million
increases in accounts receivable and inventory, respectively, were partially
offset by net income and non-cash depreciation and amortization expenses
totaling $1.5 million and an increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses
and customer deposits of $0.8 million, $1.2 million and $1.0 million,
respectively. As of September 30, 1996, the Company had a $3.5 million account
receivable due from BAA, a significant portion of which was overdue. As of
October 15, 1996, $3.4 million of this account receivable had been paid. The
increase in accrued expenses is primarily attributable to the Company's
settlement of its litigation with EG&G and expenses associated with the
Company's increased sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996.     
 
  During fiscal 1995, operating activities provided the Company with net cash
of $1.0 million. During that period, net income and non-cash depreciation and
amortization expenses totaling $2.3 million were partially offset by increases
in inventory, accounts receivable and other current assets, and a $0.7 million
reduction in customer deposits. The reduction in customer deposits reflected
the Company's decision to change its terms of sale to reduce or eliminate
customer deposits in response to customer demands.
 
  The Company's capital expenditures during fiscal 1996 and in fiscal 1995
were $0.43 million and $0.38 million, respectively. While the Company does not
have any significant commitments for capital expenditures, the Company
anticipates that it will continue to purchase equipment to support its
anticipated growth.
 
  During fiscal 1996 and during fiscal 1995, the net cash used in and provided
by financing activities were $0.3 million and $7,000, respectively. Net cash
provided by financing activities is primarily attributable to borrowings under
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
the Company's bank line of credit and proceeds from the sale of Common Stock
pursuant to employee stock options.
 
  The Company has 578,065 shares of redeemable non-convertible Series A and
Series C Preferred Stock outstanding. All of these shares are redeemable
within one year of September 30, 1996. The Company will redeem all of the
issued and outstanding shares of the Series A and Series C Preferred Stock at
the closing of the Offering in order to eliminate certain rights and
preferences of the holders of such stock.
 
  In May 1996, in response to allegations made by AS&E to third parties that
the Company was infringing AS&E's patents, the Company filed an action seeking
a declaratory judgment that the Company is not infringing AS&E's patents. In
August 1996, AS&E filed an answer and counterclaim alleging that the Company
is infringing one or more of eight AS&E patents. In October 1996, the court
dismissed AS&E's infringement counterclaims, but has allowed AS&E to raise
more specific infringement counterclaims upon AS&E asserting factual support
for such claims. Although the Company does not believe that it is infringing
any valid patent of AS&E, there can be no assurance that AS&E will not raise
more specific infringement counterclaims. Currently, management does not
believe that it is probable that this litigation will have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business and financial condition; however, there can
be no assurance that this will be the case. See "Risk Factors--Limited
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights; Patent Litigation," "Business--
Intellectual Property" and "--Legal Proceedings."
 
  The Company believes that the net proceeds from the Offering, cash received
from operations and its current sources of liquidity will be adequate to fund
the Company's operations through at least the next twelve months. However for
a discussion of certain factors that could adversely affect the Company's
financial position and results of operations, see "Risk Factors."
 
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
  In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 123
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," which becomes effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 1995. SFAS 123 establishes new financial
accounting and reporting standards for stock-based compensation plans.
However, entities are allowed to elect whether to measure compensation expense
for stock-based compensation under SFAS 123 or APB No. 25, "Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees." The Company has elected to remain with the
accounting under Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25 and will
make the required pro forma disclosures of net income and earnings per share
as if the provisions of SFAS 123 had been applied in its September 30, 1997
financial statements. The potential impact of adopting this standard on the
Company's pro forma disclosures of net income and earnings per share has not
been quantified at this time.
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
                                   BUSINESS
 
OVERVIEW
 
  The Company is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of automated
inspection systems which detect plastic and other explosives in airline
baggage. The Company's family of advanced explosives detection systems
identify targeted materials by analyzing the physical characteristics of each
item in a bag, including the atomic number and mass, using patented
composition analysis techniques and proprietary dual-energy X-ray technology.
These systems automatically (without the use of an operator) isolate and
identify targeted materials within a bag, thereby preventing a suspect bag
from being loaded into an aircraft until cleared by operator inspection. The
Company's systems can also be used to identify a wide variety of other
substances, including drugs and currency.
   
  In 1993, the Company's automated systems were successfully deployed in
airports as part of an integrated multi-level checked baggage screening
approach that is being adopted in many countries throughout the world. As of
September 30, 1996, the Company had sold more than 100 systems for
installation in airports throughout Europe of which over 70 systems had been
installed. The Company's systems are in use in 14 of the 17 airports that, to
the knowledge of the Company, have deployed advanced integrated automated
explosives detection systems. Airports at which the Company's systems are
deployed include London Heathrow and London Gatwick, Paris Charles de Gaulle,
Amsterdam, Zurich, Brussels and Glasgow.     
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
  Markets. There are over 600 commercial airports worldwide providing
scheduled service to more than 2.5 billion passengers per year. Of these
airports, over 400 are located in the United States, 150 in Europe and 50 in
the Asia/Pacific region. Based upon the installations of the Company's
systems, the Company believes that one integrated multi-level checked baggage
screening system can serve up to approximately one million passengers per year
in mid-size and large airports. The capabilities of each integrated multi-
level system at each airport, as well as the number of systems required, will
vary depending upon a variety of factors, including the explosives detection
equipment deployed, the configuration of the airport's baggage handling
systems, the nature of the integration of the explosives detection equipment
with the airport's baggage handling systems and the profile of the airport's
passenger traffic flow. Airports deploying advanced explosives detection
equipment, including smaller airports, may choose to implement one or more
freestanding systems.
 
  The Company believes that the implementation of effective checked baggage
screening will highlight the ineffectiveness of conventional X-ray systems to
identify explosives in carry-on baggage. The United Nations International
Civil Aviation Organization ("ICAO") requires all 184 member states to inspect
100% of international carry-on baggage for the detection of weapons, and
virtually all airports use conventional X-ray systems for this purpose. The
Company believes that several thousand of these conventional X-ray systems are
installed in airports throughout the world, and that these systems are
candidates for replacement with more sophisticated systems.
 
  Market Evolution and Government Initiatives. In the 1970s, in response to
hijackings, airports worldwide began to install X-ray systems to screen carry-
on baggage for weapons such as guns and knives. When combined with walk-
through metal detectors, these systems substantially reduced the number of
airplane hijackings. The success of these systems in airports also fostered
their adoption for use by governmental agencies and private companies. As the
threat to civil aviation evolved in the early 1980's from hijackings to
bombings, many countries required checked baggage on international flights to
be inspected. Most equipment initially deployed for this purpose have been
conventional X-ray systems. Although conventional X-ray systems are effective
for the detection of weapons made from dense materials with defined shapes,
such as guns and knives, they are ineffective in detecting explosive materials
that are not as dense and can be molded into virtually any shape.
 
  In response to the December 1988 bombing of Pan American Flight 103 over
Lockerbie, Scotland, many countries began the installation of systems that
could detect plastic and other explosives in airline baggage. Europe, led by
the United Kingdom, has been at the forefront of deploying advanced automated
explosives detection equipment.The United Kingdom Department of Transport (the
"UK DOT") has required the United
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
Kingdom's commercial airports to deploy systems for 100% screening of
international checked baggage by the end of 1997. The European Civil Aviation
Conference ("ECAC"), an organization of 33 member states, has agreed to
implement 100% screening of international checked baggage by the year 2000.
Several of those countries, including Belgium, France, Netherlands, Spain and
Switzerland, have begun to implement checked baggage screening approaches
similar to that adopted by the United Kingdom.
 
  In the Asia/Pacific region, major new airports and terminals, including
those in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea, are being designed to
include 100% screening of international checked baggage using advanced
automated explosives detection systems. These and other countries in the
region, including Japan, are also studying the implementation of these systems
at existing airports.
 
  Following the Pan American Flight 103 bombing, the United States enacted the
Aviation Security Improvement Act of 1990 (the "Aviation Security Act"). The
Aviation Security Act directed the Federal Aviation Administration (the "FAA")
to develop a standard for explosives detection systems and required airports
in the United States to deploy systems meeting this standard by 1993. The
standard adopted by the FAA is more comprehensive than standards adopted by
the rest of the world. To date, no system has demonstrated that it meets the
FAA standard under realistic airport operating conditions, including
processing baggage at required throughput rates. As a result, the FAA has not
required the installation of automated explosives detection systems, and only
a limited number of these systems have been deployed, primarily on a test
basis, in the United States.
 
  In response to the recent crash of TWA Flight 800 off Long Island, New York
in July 1996, President Clinton formed the White House Commission on Aviation
Safety and Security, chaired by Vice President Gore (the "Gore Commission"),
to review airline and airport security and oversee aviation safety. The Gore
Commission released its initial report in September 1996, and in October 1996,
the United States enacted legislation which includes a $144.2 million
allocation for the purchase of explosives detection systems and other advanced
security equipment by air carriers and airport authorities.
 
  Implementation of Checked Baggage Systems. Effective screening of checked
baggage for explosives and other contraband is a complex task. To accomplish
this task while meeting the operational requirements of airports, a screening
system must be flexible, accurate, fast, reliable and cost-effective. The
screening system must have the ability to effectively identify a wide range of
explosives, including plastic explosives which can be molded into virtually
any shape. In addition, the system must have an acceptable false alarm rate,
rejecting only a limited percentage of explosive-free luggage. The system must
also process baggage rapidly and have limited down-time to avoid delays. Costs
associated with installation include the cost of modifying the airport's
baggage handling system to accommodate the explosives detection equipment and
the cost of integrating that equipment with the baggage handling system. A key
component of the cost of operation is the staffing associated with operating
these systems.
 
  Several advanced explosives detection systems have been developed to address
these requirements, each with its own inherent advantages and limitations.
These systems include dual energy X-ray, trace detection and computed
tomography ("CT") systems. Dual energy X-ray systems measure the X-ray
absorption properties of a bag's contents at two different X-ray energies to
determine if any of the items have the physical characteristics of explosive
materials. Trace detection equipment, known as "sniffers," detect particulate
and chemical traces of explosive materials collected by an operator by wiping
or vacuuming the bag under inspection. CT systems use hundreds of partial X-
ray images, referred to as slices, to analyze the contents of a bag. The FAA
first certified a CT-based system in December 1994. However, the FAA has
recognized that this system must undergo further testing to resolve whether it
can operate under realistic airport operating conditions, including processing
baggage at required throughput rates. Certain information, which has been
derived from publicly available information, regarding each of these systems
is set forth in the following table:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
         TECHNOLOGY              EQUIPMENT PRICE    THROUGHPUT (1)  FILM SAFETY
- ----------------------------- --------------------- -------------- -------------
<S>                           <C>                   <C>            <C>
Dual Energy X-ray............ $200,000 - $  450,000  900 - 1,500   Film safe
Trace Detection.............. $ 50,000 - $  170,000  120 -   180   Film safe
Computed Tomography.......... $800,000 - $1,000,000  100 -   260   Not film safe
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(1) Throughput measures the number of bags that can be inspected by the system
    per hour.     
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
  In 1993, BAA plc ("BAA"), formerly the British Airport Authority and one of
the first airport operators to implement 100% checked baggage screening using
automated explosives detection equipment, developed a multi-level automated
screening approach that integrates the explosives detection equipment directly
into the airport baggage handling systems. The multi-level approach, which is
being adopted throughout Europe and the Asia/Pacific region, separates the
screening process into multiple steps, and permits the use of equipment at
each stage that is most suitable for the requirements of that particular
stage.
 
  Under the multi-level approach, a fully-automated Level 1 explosives
detection system is integrated into the existing airport baggage handling
system to screen rapidly all baggage without an operator in attendance. Bags
rejected by the Level 1 system are subjected to Level 2 inspection. Level 2
inspection equipment allows an operator to review and manipulate images of the
contents of the rejected bags provided by the Level 1 system or a separate
Level 2 system. If the operator rejects the bag, it is forwarded for Level 3
inspection. Level 3 inspection is the slowest and the most detailed process.
Bags rejected at Level 3 are then inspected by hand in the presence of the
passenger. Bags not rejected at any inspection level are conveyed by the
baggage handling system for loading into the aircraft. This multi-level
approach, when implemented with rapid automated explosives detection
equipment, can maintain the processing rates of existing baggage handling
systems. The multi-level approach also significantly reduces operating costs
by reducing staffing requirements.
 
  Level 1 inspection systems, which must inspect all baggage on a conveyor
line, are often required to inspect baggage during peak periods at the rate of
900 to 1,500 bags per hour (2.4 to 4.0 seconds per bag) in order to avoid
delays in the baggage handling process. Level 2 inspection systems are often
required to process baggage at the rate of 180 to 360 bags per hour (10 to 20
seconds per bag). Level 3 systems can be slower to accommodate the greater
precision required for the operator to fully inspect the bag in order to avoid
the undesirable and expensive final inspection process, which requires the bag
to be reunited with the passenger and inspected by hand.
 
  As a result of their high throughput rates, dual energy X-ray explosives
detection systems have been deployed in all integrated Level 1 and most Level
2 installations. Trace Detection, and to a lesser extent CT scanners, have
generally been deployed as Level 3 systems. More recently, enhanced versions
of dual energy X-ray explosives detection systems have been deployed as Level
3 systems. In addition, trace detection, dual energy X-ray and CT scanners
have been deployed as free-standing checked baggage explosives detection
systems.
 
  Implementation of Carry-on Baggage Systems. There are currently no
requirements for the use of automated explosives detection systems to screen
carry-on baggage. However, the presence of explosives in carry-on baggage
poses a serious threat to civil aviation. A published industry source
estimated that approximately one quarter of bombs smuggled on board aircraft
were hidden in carry-on baggage. Although the current focus of explosives
detection efforts has been on the screening of checked baggage, a potential
extension of explosives detection technology is to screen carry-on baggage.
 
THE VIVID SOLUTION
   
  The Company has developed a family of effective explosives detection systems
that automatically (without the use of an operator) isolate and identify
suspect materials in airport baggage and prevent the rejected baggage from
being loaded into an aircraft until cleared by operator inspection. The
Company's systems are in use in 14 of the 17 airports that, to the knowledge
of the Company, have deployed advanced integrated automated explosives
detection systems. Airports at which the Company's systems are deployed
include London Heathrow and London Gatwick, Paris Charles de Gaulle,
Amsterdam, Zurich, Brussels and Glasgow. Many of the Company's customers have
placed multiple orders for the Company's systems and have served as referrals
for additional sales. The Company believes that the success of its systems is
attributable to the following advantages:     
 
  High Performance. The Company's patented composition analysis techniques and
proprietary X-ray technology enable its systems to effectively identify
plastic and other high explosives, with relatively low false alarm rejections
at throughputs of up to 1,500 bags per hour, which is comparable to the peak
throughput of existing baggage handling equipment. The Company believes that
no competitive system offers as high a
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
throughput with comparable detection capabilities and false alarm rates as the
Company's VIS systems. The Company's systems are capable of being upgraded to
detect many new materials as they are developed.
 
  Cost Effectiveness. The Company has introduced a number of innovations to
reduce the cost of installation, integration and operation of a multi-level
checked baggage screening system. As a result, the Company believes that its
integrated systems achieve a competitive cost per bag inspected, including the
cost of the equipment, installation, integration and operation.
 
  Proven Reliability. The Company's installed base of over 100 systems, some
of which have been in continuous operation since 1992, have a reported average
system availability of over 99%.
 
  Product Breadth and System Flexibility. The Company offers a broad line of
automated explosives detection systems that address the security needs of
airports of varying sizes under a variety of operating conditions. Airports
which have installed the Company's systems range in size from England's
Southampton Airport, which processes approximately 500,000 passengers per
year, to London Heathrow Airport, which processes more than 50 million
passengers per year.
 
STRATEGY
 
  The Company's objectives are to maintain its leadership in the airport
automated explosives detection systems market and to apply its technology to
address complementary applications. The key elements of the Company's strategy
to achieve these objectives are as follows:
 
  MAINTAIN TECHNOLOGICAL LEADERSHIP. The Company has been at the forefront of
developing and advancing the market for automated explosives detection
systems. The Company believes that it was the first to introduce the
following: (i) an X-ray-based advanced automated explosives detection system
for checked baggage screening capable of being fully integrated into an
airport baggage handling system; (ii) an explosives detection system
architecture allowing multiple workstations to display images from multiple
Level 1 systems; (iii) an explosives detection system combining dual energy X-
ray with scatter detection technology; and (iv) a dual energy X-ray-based
explosives detection system allowed for use as a Level 3 inspection system.
The Company intends to expand upon its core technical expertise to continue
offering leading edge automated screening solutions.
 
  CONTINUE INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION. The Company has concentrated its initial
marketing efforts on airports in countries outside of the United States in
response to the early adoption of advanced explosives detection equipment in
those markets. The Company believes that the deployment of its systems in
Europe provides valuable referral sites to promote further sales of its
products. The Company has established a sales and servicing subsidiary in the
United Kingdom to support its European efforts and plans to expand its
presence in Europe and in the Asia/Pacific region.
 
  CAPITALIZE ON EMERGING UNITED STATES MARKET. Through September 1996, the FAA
had not mandated the deployment of any advanced explosives detection systems.
In October 1996, the United States enacted legislation which includes a $144.2
million allocation for the purchase of explosives detection systems and other
advanced security equipment by air carriers and airport authorities. The
Company is expanding its sales and marketing force to address this emerging
market and is working actively with the FAA, other government agencies,
airlines, airport operators, Congressional committees and the Gore Commission
to promote the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of its products for deployment
in United States airports.
 
  EXPAND PRODUCT LINE AND APPLICATIONS. The Company is expanding its product
line and applications of its existing products to serve markets other than
explosives detection screening of airport checked baggage. These new market
opportunities include the screening of airport carry-on baggage, the
protection of government and private facilities, the detection of drugs and
currency, the screening of mail and advanced process control.
 
  EXPLORE STRATEGIC ALLIANCES AND ACQUISITIONS. The Company intends to pursue
strategic alliances, acquisitions and licenses of complementary technologies
to further enhance its growth.
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
PRODUCTS
   
  The Company develops, manufactures and markets a family of advanced
automated systems that can detect explosives and other contraband in airline
baggage and other parcels. The first market to emerge for these systems has
been explosives detection for airline baggage. The Company's product line
includes Level 1 and Level 2 integrated automated explosives detection systems
for checked baggage, freestanding automated explosives detection systems for
Level 3, terminal and baggage hall inspection of checked baggage, and an
automated explosives detection system for carry-on baggage. The list prices
for the Company's automated integrated and freestanding checked baggage
explosives detection systems range from approximately $250,000 to $450,000.
The Company's list price for its carry-on baggage explosives detection system
is approximately $75,000. As of September 30, 1996, the Company had sold more
than 100 systems for installation in airports throughout Europe of which over
70 systems had been installed.     
 
  Each of the Company's automated checked baggage explosives detection systems
uses a proprietary instrumentation quality power supply that generates
alternating high (150kV) and low (75kV) energy pulses at film safe levels of
exposure. The power supply is driven by an X-ray controller that uses both
current and source voltage feedback to maintain a stable, repeatable fan
shaped X-ray beam. As the X-ray beam passes through the bag and its contents,
a portion of the beam is absorbed (referred to as X-ray absorption or
attenuation) and a portion is scattered. The beam that passes through the bag
without being absorbed or scattered is referred to as the transmitted beam and
contains information regarding the X-ray absorption properties of the objects
within the bag at each of the two levels of energy generated by the X-ray
tube. This information can be used to analyze the atomic number, mass and
other physical characteristics of the objects within the bag. The transmitted
beam also contains information that can be used to make high quality images of
the contents of a bag.
 
  The Company's automated checked baggage explosives detection systems
incorporate a high resolution detector array that collects high quality data
from the transmitted X-ray beam consisting of more than one million pixels of
information per bag. The systems then employ the Company's patented
composition analysis software algorithms to identify and separate the
individual objects within a bag, including objects in between other items or
within a container. These algorithms also analyze the atomic number, mass and
other characteristics of each of those objects to determine whether they match
those of a targeted item, such as explosives or other contraband. Additional
algorithms detect materials such as lead that could be used to shield an
explosive device from this analysis.
 
  X-ray absorption analysis techniques are less effective for detecting
certain configurations of explosives which only absorb a very small fraction
of the transmitted beam. However, these materials tend to scatter X-rays more
than other materials. The Company has developed proprietary scatter detection
enhancement ("SDE") technology that enhances its systems' ability to detect
these configurations. The Company's SDE system, which includes a combination
of additional detection arrays and software, measures and analyses the
scattered X-ray intensity emitted from baggage in both the forward and
backward direction. If the scatter levels indicate the possible presence of a
suspect material in a bag, the affected area is further analyzed to determine
if a threat is present. The Company has incorporated SDE technology in most of
its products, either as an option or a standard feature, and also offers this
technology as an upgrade for existing systems.
 
  Both the Company's composition and scatter analysis techniques result in a
computer generated decision regarding the contents of the baggage screened.
Any bag that is determined to contain a suspect object will cause the system
to reject the bag. In the case of an operator attended system, such as a Level
2 or Level 3 system, an image of the rejected bag is presented to an operator
for detailed inspection. The bag image is presented in high resolution gray
scale, with the suspect object highlighted in bright red. The system can be
programmed to sound an alarm, as well as require the operator to acknowledge
the alarm by pressing a designated button to either reject or clear the bag.
 
  The Company has integrated its products into a wide range of airport baggage
handling systems. These products make use of an effective control software
developed by the Company to facilitate communication between the explosives
detection system and the airport baggage handling system. If no suspect object
is detected by the automated system, a "clear" status is sent to the baggage
handling system, allowing the bag to continue
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
directly to the aircraft. If a suspect object is detected, a "reject" message
is sent to the baggage handling system, requiring the next level of
inspection. The Company has gained broad acceptance of its control software by
working closely with many of the major baggage handling systems and control
systems contractors.
 
  The Company's systems are offered in a variety of configurations depending
on the application or installation requirements. The following table sets
forth certain information regarding the Company's current product line of
automated explosives detection systems:
 
                                CHECKED BAGGAGE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             YEAR OF
   MODEL   INTRODUCTION            APPLICATIONS                       FEATURES (1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>      <C>          <C>                                <C>
    H-1       1991      Freestanding terminal or baggage   .Operator interface
                        hall inspection                    .0.2 meters/sec. belt speed
                                                           .Film safe
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    VIS       1993      Integrated Level 1 system          .No operator required
                                                           .1,500 or 900 bags per hour
                                                           throughput
                                                           .0.5 meters/sec. belt speed
                                                           .SDE option
                                                           .Film safe
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  VDS-II      1995(2)   Freestanding terminal or baggage   .Operator interface
                        hall inspection, or integrated     .0.25 meters/sec. belt speed
                        Level 2 system                     .Film safe
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   VIS-W      1994      Integrated combined Level 1 and    .No operator required for Level 1
                        Level 2 system                      inspection
                                                           .One Level 2 workstation with
                                                           operator  interface
                                                           .1,500 or 900 bags per hour
                                                           throughput
                                                           .0.5 meters/sec belt speed
                                                           .SDE option
                                                           .Film safe
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  VDS-III     1996      Freestanding Level 3, or terminal  .Operator interface
                        or baggage hall inspection         .0.25 meters/sec. belt speed
                                                           .SDE included
                                                           .Film safe
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   VIS-M      1996      Integrated combined Level 1 and    .No operator required for Level 1
                        Level 2 system                      inspection
                                                           .Supports up to five Level 2
                                                            workstations with operator
                                                           interface
                                                           .Two mainframe matrixing
                                                           capability
                                                           .1,500 or 900 bags per hour
                                                           throughput
                                                           .0.5 meters/sec belt speed
                                                           .SDE option
                                                           .Linear screening compatible (3)
                                                           .Film safe
</TABLE>
 
                               CARRY-ON BAGGAGE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            YEAR OF
  MODEL   INTRODUCTION            APPLICATIONS                       FEATURES (1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>     <C>          <C>                                <C>
   APS       1996      Freestanding carry-on baggage      .Advanced operator interface
                       screening for explosives and       .0.2 meters/sec. belt speed
                       weapons                            .Film safe
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Throughput only applies to integrated Level 1 systems that do not have an
    operator interface.
(2) The first VDS model was introduced in 1993.
(3) Enables Level 2 screening without diverting baggage to a secondary
    conveyor belt.
 
                                      27
<PAGE>
 
  Integrated Models. The Company's first integrated products were the VIS
Level 1 inspection system and the VDS Level 2 inspection system. The VIS
system is used to inspect 100% of the baggage on a baggage conveyor line. The
system is capable of automatically inspecting up to 1,500 bags per hour
without an operator. The VDS Level 2 system is designed to provide an operator
with a high quality image in addition to automatically highlighting suspicious
objects as an aid to the operator to inspect bags rejected by the automated
Level 1 system. The system also allows the operator to view the contents of a
bag using various imaging modes and magnifications to determine whether the
bag should be cleared or sent to Level 3 for additional investigation.
 
  The VIS-W was the Company's first single system alternative to discrete
Level 1 and Level 2 systems. The VIS-W combines a VIS Level 1 X-ray system
("VIS mainframe") with a single remote Level 2 operator workstation. The VIS
mainframe transmits images of rejected bags to the Level 2 operator
workstation. Level 2 inspection is then performed by an operator at a
workstation in the same manner as an operator of a discrete Level 2 VDS
system, thereby eliminating the need for a separate Level 2 explosives
detection system to re-scan all bags rejected at Level 1.
 
  The VIS-M, introduced in April 1996, further extends the capability of the
workstation concept by allowing one or two VIS mainframes to be interconnected
("Matrixed") with up to five Level 2 operator workstations. During off-peak
periods, workstations can be switched off, thereby significantly reducing
staffing requirements and operating costs. The efficiency gained by the
additional workstations combined with enhanced baggage control software allows
an operator to review images of the contents of a bag while the bag continues
en route to the aircraft. This eliminates the need and associated costs of a
secondary conveyor system to hold the bags while Level 2 inspection is taking
place. These costs can be a significant portion of the total cost of purchase
and installation of a multi-level integrated explosives detection system. The
Company is further seeking to improve the efficiency of its Matrix
configuration by allowing more than two VIS-M systems to be networked with
multiple Level 2 operator workstations.
 
  Freestanding Models. The Company's freestanding checked baggage explosives
detection systems are intended to be installed in airport terminals, such as
in front of airline check-in counters or in a baggage handling hall. The H-1
inspects bags in the upright position, as they tend to be carried by a
passenger. The VDS series of systems, which can be used as freestanding
systems, inspects baggage lying flat as they are transported on a conveyor
belt.
 
  The Company has recently introduced the operator attended VDS-III system to
serve as a Level 3 inspection system. Since less than 1% of the bags reach
Level 3, additional time is available for bag inspection. The VDS-III combines
the Company's SDE capability with a high resolution image to enhance detection
capability. The system is a low cost alternative to CT scanners for Level 3
inspection. It is also faster and less labor intensive than trace detection
systems. This system can also be used as a freestanding system in a baggage
handling hall.
 
  Carry-on Model. The Company has recently introduced its APS system to
inspect carry-on baggage for explosives or contraband material. The system is
being evaluated by various governmental agencies. To date, the Company has not
sold any APS systems. The APS is similar in configuration to conventional X-
ray systems currently installed in airports to screen carry-on baggage for
concealed weapons. While an operator is required to inspect each bag for
weapons, the APS automatically alerts the operator to the presence of suspect
explosive materials. The APS incorporates an advanced proprietary operator
interface that allows the operator to view the contents of a bag using various
imaging modes and magnifications to determine whether the bag should be
cleared or rejected for further inspection.
 
  The Company developed the APS system with Gilardoni, S.p.A. ("Gilardoni") a
manufacturer of conventional X-ray weapons screening systems and nuclear and
X-ray-based equipment for the medical field. The system combines many of the
advanced detection algorithms developed by the Company for its automated
checked baggage explosives detection systems with an X-ray main frame using
conventional dual X-ray technology manufactured by Gilardoni. The arrangement
with Gilardoni has greatly reduced the time-to-market of the Company's new APS
carry-on baggage inspection system and provides the Company with a
manufacturing capability within the European Union. See "Risk Factors--
Dependence on Principal Supplier for APS System."
 
                                      28
<PAGE>
 
OTHER PRODUCTS AND APPLICATIONS
 
  The Company believes that installations of advanced automated explosives
detection systems at airports will accelerate the adoption of this technology
for other security applications, including the protection of government and
private facilities, and the screening of mail. The Company is also exploring
opportunities with various governmental authorities and agencies in the United
States and internationally to use its equipment for the detection of illicit
drugs and the illegal export of currency. Further, the Company believes that
its technology can expand the traditional role of X-ray technology in process
control applications by providing enhanced or new value-added functions such
as material analysis, segregation and sorting of materials, and quality
control. For example, the Company is pursuing discussions with a food
processing company regarding the possibility of entering into a development
agreement to adapt the Company's technology for nondestructive testing for
food processing applications. See "Risk Factors--Developing Market;
Uncertainty of Market Acceptance" and "--Uncertainty of Product Development."
 
CUSTOMERS
 
  The Company's customers have consisted primarily of owners, operators and
regulators of international airports located in the United Kingdom and other
European countries. The Company's customers include BAA, the Direction
Geuerale de L'Aviation Civile of France, Brussels Airport Authority, Zurich
Airport Authority, and Schiphol Amsterdam Airport Authority. The following is
a list of the airports for which these and other of the Company's customers
have installed or have ordered the Company's systems. These airports range in
size from facilities that process approximately 500,000 passengers per year to
more than 50 million passengers per year.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         UNITED KINGDOM   CONTINENTAL EUROPE
         <S>              <C>
         London Heathrow  Paris Charles de Gaulle
         London Gatwick   Paris Orly*
         London Stansted  Amsterdam Schiphol
         Glasgow          Zurich
         Edinburgh        Brussels National
         Newcastle        Alicante (Spain)*
         Aberdeen
         East Midlands
         Bristol
         Southampton
</TABLE>
- --------
* Orders included in backlog as of the date of this Prospectus. In certain
  circumstances, these orders may be canceled or delayed by customers without
  significant penalty.
 
  In fiscal 1995 and 1996, sales to BAA accounted for approximately 76% and
79%, respectively, of the Company's revenues. See "Risk Factors--Reliance on a
Significant Customer."
 
MARKETING AND SALES
 
  The Company sells and markets its products through its direct sales force,
as well as independent sales representatives in certain foreign countries,
including Spain, Japan and Malaysia. As of September 30, 1996, the Company had
a six person marketing and sales staff, including one employee engaged in
marketing and sales out of the Company's sales and service office in the
United Kingdom.
 
  In the United States the Company is working actively with the FAA, other
government agencies, airlines, airport operators, Congressional committees and
the Gore Commission to promote the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of its
products for deployment in United States airports. The Company is also working
with United States and foreign governmental agencies to promote its products
for non-aviation applications. The Company also markets its products through
participation in trade shows, publication of articles and advertising in trade
journals, participation in industry forums and standard setting organizations,
and distribution of sales literature. The Company has also benefited from
customer referrals and the use of certain customer installations as
demonstration sites for its systems. In fiscal 1995 and 1996, international
sales accounted for approximately 91%
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
and 95% of the Company's revenues, respectively. All of these foreign sales
were to the United Kingdom and other European countries. See "Risk Factors--
Reliance on International Sales."
 
  The selling process for the Company's products often involves a team
comprised of individuals from sales, marketing, engineering, operations and
senior management. This team frequently engages in a multi-level sales effort
directed toward a variety of constituents which may include government
regulators, the local airport operator or authority, systems integrators and
airlines. The Company's sales efforts with certain of its customers have
extended over several years. Potential customers frequently require the
Company's products to be tested against various performance standards and
competitive products. The Company maintains demonstration units for this
purpose and intends to increase its investment in demonstration units in order
to accelerate the introduction of its products to new customers. Delays in
anticipated purchase orders by the Company's customers and potential customers
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business. See "Risk
Factors--Lengthy Sales Cycle."
 
  The Company has entered into an arrangement with Gilardoni for the
manufacture and sale of the APS carry-on baggage explosives detection system.
Under this arrangement, the Company has the exclusive right to sell this
system in the United States, the United Kingdom, certain other European
countries and Mexico. In addition, the Company has agreed not to sell any
competitive X-ray-based system within its territory unless manufactured by
Gilardoni or the Company. The Company intends to pursue strategic alliances,
acquisitions and licenses of complementary technologies to further enhance its
growth. See "Risk Factors--Dependence on Principal Supplier for APS System."
 
CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUPPORT
 
  The Company provides a high level of customer support to assist in the
installation and integration of the Company's products into its customers'
facilities and to assist in maintaining the reliability of the Company's
products once installed. The Company offers a number of customer support
services, including applications support, training, system preventative and
corrective system maintenance, and upgrades. The Company generally provides
one year parts warranty and offers primary and back-up service contracts to
its customers. The Company's customer support staff currently consists of two
support engineers at its headquarters in Massachusetts and four support
engineers operating out of the Company's office in the United Kingdom.
 
REGULATION
 
  The explosives detection systems manufactured and marketed by the Company
for use in airports are subject to regulation by the FAA, corresponding
foreign governmental authorities and ICAO, the United Nations organization for
establishing standard practices for the aviation industry on a worldwide
basis. Sales of the Company's explosives detection systems for use in airports
has been and will continue to be dependent upon governmental initiatives to
require or support the screening of baggage with advanced explosives detection
systems. Substantially all of such systems have been installed at airports in
countries in which the applicable governmental or regulatory authority
overseeing the operations of the airport has mandated such screening. Such
mandates are influenced by many factors outside of the control of the Company,
including political and budgetary concerns of governments, airlines and
airports. See "Risk Factors--Dependence on Government Regulation."
 
  The FAA currently requires all carry-on baggage and international checked
baggage to be inspected by conventional X-ray equipment. United States
airlines operating at airports outside of the United States are required to
meet FAA security requirements in addition to the requirements of the local
authorities. The FAA permits the use of the Company's systems by United States
airlines at foreign airports as an alternative to conventional X-ray
equipment.
 
  Under the Aviation Security Act, the FAA was required to develop a standard
for explosives detection systems and to certify equipment which met this
standard under realistic airport operating conditions. The Aviation Security
Act also required the deployment of certified equipment within the United
States by 1993. The standard adopted by the FAA is more comprehensive than
standards adopted in most other countries. To date, no system has demonstrated
that it meets the FAA standard under realistic airport operating conditions.
As a
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
result, the FAA has not required the installation of automated explosives
detection systems, and only a limited number of these systems have been
deployed, primarily on a test basis, in the United States. The FAA first
certified a CT-based system in December 1994. However, the FAA has recognized
that this system must undergo further testing to resolve whether it can
operate under realistic airport operating conditions, including processing
baggage at required throughput rates. The Company's systems do not meet the
FAA certification standard. There can be no assurance that any Company systems
will ever meet this or any other United States certification standard.
 
  In response to the recent crash of TWA Flight 800, President Clinton formed
the Gore Commission to review airline and airport security and oversee
aviation safety. The Gore Commission released its initial report in September
1996, and in October 1996, the United States enacted legislation which
includes a $144.2 million allocation for the purchase of explosives detection
systems and other advanced security equipment by air carriers and airport
authorities. There can be no assurance that this legislation will not
otherwise be modified to reduce the funding for advanced explosives equipment,
that the necessary appropriations will be made to fund the purchases of
advanced explosives equipment contemplated by the legislation, or that, even
if such appropriation is made, any of the Company's automated explosives
detection screening systems will be purchased for installation at any airports
in the United States.
 
  The UK DOT has mandated 100% screening of international checked baggage in
the United Kingdom by 1997. Similarly, the other ECAC member states have
agreed to implement 100% screening of international checked baggage by the
year 2000. The Company's Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 systems, as well as the
Company's SDE technology, have been allowed for use by the UK DOT. In most
other ECAC member states, the Company's systems either must be tested and
approved or procured by governmental authorities overseeing the operation of
airports within the country. In addition to the United Kingdom, the Company's
systems have been purchased or approved for use in airports in many European
countries including Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland.
 
  Governmental authorities overseeing the construction of new airports in the
Asia/Pacific region are defining requirements for the use of advanced
explosives detection systems to achieve 100% screening of international
checked baggage at those airports. As a result, the Company's systems are also
being evaluated by the applicable regulatory authorities in countries in the
Asia/Pacific region for purchases at new airports being constructed in
Malaysia and Hong Kong. There can be no assurance that the Company's systems
will be purchased for installation in any of these new terminals.
 
  ICAO has adopted various recommendations and requirements for screening of
checked and carry-on baggage. Currently, the ICAO requires the screening of
all international carry-on bags and recommends the screening of international
checked baggage. This requirement and recommendation relates only to the
screening of baggage and does not require any specific technology to be used.
There can be no assurance that additional countries will mandate the
implementation of effective explosives screening of airline baggage, or that,
if mandated, the Company's systems will meet the certification or other
requirements of the applicable governmental authority. Even if the Company's
systems meet the applicable requirements, there can be no assurance that the
Company would be able to market its systems effectively.
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
  The Company's research and development efforts are focused on developing new
products for the explosives and contraband detection system market and further
enhancing the functionality, reliability and performance of its existing
product line. The Company's research and development personnel also are
involved in establishing protocols, monitoring and interpreting and submitting
test data to the FAA and other domestic and foreign regulatory agencies to
obtain the requisite certifications, clearances and approvals for its
products. At September 30, 1996, the Company had 28 employees engaged in
research and development and engineering, including 11 employees engaged in
software development. During fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996, the Company's
research and product development expenses were approximately $2.3 million,
$3.7 million and $3.5 million, respectively. See "Business--Products."
 
 
                                      31
<PAGE>
 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
 
  The Company relies upon trade secrets and patents to protect its technology.
Due to the rapid technological change that characterizes the explosives
detection system industry, the Company believes that the improvement of
existing technology, reliance upon trade secrets and unpatented proprietary
know-how and the development of new products are generally as important as
patent protection in establishing and maintaining a competitive advantage.
Nevertheless, the Company has obtained patents and will continue to make
efforts to obtain patents, when available, in connection with its product
development program. The Company has obtained two patents and has pending four
patent applications in the United States. In addition, for certain foreign
countries the Company has pending patent applications that correspond to the
subject matter of certain United States patents and patent applications. The
Company's two United States patents relate to applications of its dual X-ray
technology and the Company's software algorithms used to implement the
Company's screening analysis techniques and expire in 2011. There can be no
assurance that any of the Company's patent applications will be granted, that
any patent or patent application will provide significant protection for the
Company's products or technology, be of commercial benefit to the Company, or
that its validity will not be challenged. Moreover, there can be no assurance
that foreign intellectual property laws will protect the Company's
intellectual property rights. In the absence of significant patent protection,
the Company may be vulnerable to competitors who attempt to copy or use the
Company's products, processes or technology. See "Risk Factors--Limited
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights; Patent Litigation."
   
  The Company has an exclusive perpetual license to use certain patents and
technology developed by Hologic, Inc. ("Hologic") for the development,
manufacture and sale of X-ray screening security systems for explosives,
drugs, currency and other contraband (subject to termination by either party
for certain defined defaults). The Company also has a nonexclusive license to
use this technology for the development, manufacture and sale of X-ray-based
products for process control applications in the food and beverage industries.
Each of Hologic and the Company have also granted to the other a non-
exclusive, royalty-free license to use any unpatented technology developed by
the other in connection with such party's research and development activities.
In addition, each of Hologic and the Company have the right to obtain from the
other an exclusive license, on commercially reasonable terms to be negotiated,
for any patented new developments. See "Risk Factors--Limited Protection of
Intellectual Property Rights; Patent Litigation" and "Certain Transactions--
Hologic, Inc."     
   
  The Company also licenses certain other technologies used in its products,
often on an exclusive or semi-exclusive basis, for a defined field of use.
These licenses involve four United States patents and certain foreign patents
relating to X-ray technology. The United States patents have expiration dates
ranging from 2002 to 2007. The Company's arrangement with Gilardoni relating
to the Company's APS automated explosives detection system for screening of
carry-on baggage contains cross licenses of intellectual property rights
associated with each party's technology incorporated into the system. This
license expires in 1999, subject to certain early termination and extension
options.     
   
  The Company has been involved in patent litigation with EG&G Astrophysics
Research Corporation ("EG&G"), in which each party claimed that the other was
infringing certain patents held by the other. On November 6, 1996, the Company
and EG&G signed a settlement agreement pursuant to which, among other things,
each party agreed not to sue the other for patent infringement for nonmedical
uses of X-ray technology covered by each other's existing patents or by patent
applications which claim priority from such patents or, for products existing
as of September 12, 1996, covered by patents that may be issued pursuant to
existing patent applications. As a result, each party will have broad rights
to use the other's existing X-ray technology for an unlimited period of time.
There can be no assurance that EG&G will not use the Company's technology in a
manner that would materially and adversely affect the Company's business and
financial condition. The Company is also involved in certain patent litigation
with American Science and Engineering, Inc. ("AS&E"), whereby the Company is
seeking a declaratory judgment that it is not infringing any AS&E patent. In
connection with this litigation, AS&E filed a counterclaim alleging that the
Company is infringing one or more of eight AS&E patents. In October 1996, the
court dismissed AS&E's infringement counterclaims, but allowed AS&E to raise
more specific infringement counterclaims upon AS&E asserting support for such
claims. See "Risk Factors--Limited Protection of Intellectual Property Rights;
Patent Litigation" and "Business--Legal Proceedings."     
 
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
COMPETITION
 
  The markets for the Company's products are highly competitive. Certain of
the Company's competitors have substantially greater manufacturing, marketing
and financial resources than the Company. Other major corporations have
recently announced their intention to enter the security screening market.
Competitors may develop superior products or products of similar quality for
sale at the same or lower prices. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the
Company's products will not be rendered obsolete by new industry standards or
changing technology. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to compete successfully with existing or new competitors. See "Risk Factors--
Rapid Technological Change."
 
  While certain of the Company's competitors currently market automated
checked baggage explosives detection products that use dual energy X-ray
technology, the Company believes that it is able to compete favorably with
these products based upon the over-all cost effectiveness of the Company's
systems as measured by a combination of factors including effective automated
explosives detection, throughput, expense of operation, installation and
integration, price, reliability, and their proven operation in a variety of
airports.
   
  The Company's systems also compete with systems employing other technologies
including CT scanner technology and trace detection technology. A product
based upon CT scanner technology currently detects a wider range of explosives
than does the Company's systems. In 1994, this CT-based system was first
certified by the FAA. However, the FAA has recognized that this system must
undergo further testing to resolve whether it can operate under realistic
airport operating conditions. This system operates at a significantly lower
throughput rate and significantly higher expense than the Company's systems.
In addition, as currently certified, the installation of this CT-based
equipment for Level 1 explosives screening would require the use of two
systems, substantially increasing the total system price, cost of installation
and cost of operation. As a result, there have only been limited permanent
installations of CT systems in airports, typically as either Level 2 or Level
3 systems. Products based upon trace detection technology have throughput
rates lower than those based on dual energy X-ray or CT technology and
generally have been installed as Level 3 systems.     
 
  The Company's new APS system, which is intended to detect explosives in
carry-on bags and personal effects at airports and other installations, has
recently been introduced and is in the process of being evaluated by various
government agencies. These systems will compete against conventional X-ray
systems, which are lower in price, as well as advanced explosives detection
systems being adapted by its competitors for this use. The APS system will
compete on the basis of price, detection capabilities, ease of use, expense of
operation and reliability.
 
MANUFACTURING
 
  The Company's manufacturing operations consist primarily of assembly, test,
burn-in and quality control. The Company has adopted stringent quality
assurance procedures that include standard design practices, component
selection procedures, vendor control procedures, and comprehensive reliability
testing and analysis to ensure the reliability of its products. As a result of
these efforts, the Company has received ISO 9001 certification. The Company's
manufacturing facility is currently producing approximately eight of the
Company's systems per month and has the capability to accommodate production
of over 20 systems per month. Should market conditions warrant, the Company
may choose to establish overseas manufacturing operations. See "Use of
Proceeds."
 
  The Company purchases a major portion of the parts and peripheral components
for its products, and manufactures certain subsystems, such as the high
voltage power supply, from raw materials. Most parts and materials are readily
available from several supply sources. The Company purchases all of its X-ray
mainframes for its APS system from Gilardoni, which is located in Italy. The
Company and Gilardoni are negotiating an arrangement under which the Company
will manufacture the X-ray mainframes for the system for sales outside of
Europe and Gilardoni will manufacture certain of the Company's systems to be
sold in Europe. There can be no assurance that these negotiations will be
successful. See "Risk Factors--Dependence on Principal Supplier for APS
System."
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
BACKLOG
 
  Backlog for the Company's products as of September 30, 1995 and 1996 totaled
approximately $4.9 million and $7.5 million, respectively. Backlog consists of
purchase orders for which a customer has scheduled delivery within the next
twelve months. In certain circumstances, order included in backlog may be
canceled or rescheduled by customers without significant penalty. Backlog as
of any particular date should not be relied upon as indicative of the
Company's revenues for any future period.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
  As of September 30, 1996, the Company had 77 full-time employees, including
23 in manufacturing operations and quality assurance, 28 in research,
development and engineering, 12 in marketing, sales and customer support,
eight in finance and administration and six in data management. None of the
Company's employees is represented by a union. The Company considers its
employee relations to be good.
 
FACILITIES
 
  The Company leases its administrative headquarters and manufacturing
facility located in Woburn, Massachusetts. The facility consists of
approximately 43,000 square feet, including 21,000 square feet dedicated to
the Company's manufacturing operations. The Company also leases a 700 square
foot sales and service office in the United Kingdom. The Company believes that
its facilities will be adequate for its needs for the foreseeable future and
that suitable additional space will be available at commercially reasonable
prices as needed. Should market conditions warrant, the Company may expand its
presence in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region, including expanding its sales
and service office in the United Kingdom, establishing additional sales and
service offices in Europe and in the Asia/Pacific region, and establishing a
manufacturing operation in one or more of those regions.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
  In October 1994, EG&G filed a patent infringement claim against the Company
in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts,
alleging that certain of the Company's products infringed a patent held by
EG&G. EG&G sought damages and expenses from the Company and sought to enjoin
the Company from selling products that allegedly infringed the EG&G patent. In
December 1994, the Company filed an answer denying any infringement and
counterclaims seeking to invalidate the EG&G patent and alleging that EG&G
infringed three patents owned or licensed by the Company. On November 6, 1996,
the Company and EG&G entered into a settlement agreement relating to this
litigation. See "Business--Intellectual Property."
 
  In May 1996, in response to allegations made by AS&E to third parties that
the Company was infringing AS&E's patents, the Company filed an action in the
United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts seeking a
declaratory judgment that the Company is not infringing AS&E's patents. In
August 1996, AS&E filed an answer and counterclaim alleging that the Company
is infringing one or more of eight AS&E patents. In October 1996, the court
dismissed AS&E's infringement counterclaims, but has allowed AS&E to raise
more specific infringement counterclaims upon AS&E asserting factual support
for such claims. Although the Company does not believe that it is infringing
any valid patent of AS&E, there can be no assurance that AS&E will not raise
more specific infringement counterclaims. Failure of the Company to prevail in
this litigation could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business
and financial condition. See "Risk Factors--Limited Protection of Intellectual
Property Rights; Patent Litigation" and "Business--Intellectual Property."
 
                                      34
<PAGE>
 
                                  MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
  The executive officers and directors of the Company and their ages are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   NAME                 AGE POSITION
   ----                 --- --------
   <S>                  <C> <C>
   S. David Ellenbogen  58  Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
   Dr. Jay A. Stein     54  Senior Vice President, Technical Director and Director
   William J. Frain     30  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
   James J. Aldo        45  Vice President of Marketing and Sales
   Daniel J. Silva      44  Vice President of Operations
   Ambassador L. Paul
    Bremer, III(1)(2)   55  Director
   Frank Kenny(1)(2)    52  Director
   Glenn P. Muir(1)(2)  37  Director
   Gerald Segel(1)(2)   75  Director
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Member of the Compensation Committee.
(2)Member of the Audit Committee.
 
  The Company has commenced a search for a Chief Operating Officer to support
its anticipated growth. See "Risk Factors--Dependence on Management and Key
Employees."
 
  S. DAVID ELLENBOGEN, a co-founder of the Company, has served as its
President and a director since its organization in June 1989. Mr. Ellenbogen
was also a co-founder of Hologic, a developer, manufacturer and seller of X-
ray and other bone densitometers, served as its President from October 1985
until May 1994, and is currently its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer. Prior to founding Hologic, Mr. Ellenbogen served as President,
Treasurer and a director of Diagnostic Technology, Inc. ("DTI"), which he co-
founded in 1981. DTI, which developed an X-ray product for digital
angiography, was acquired in 1982 by Advanced Technology Laboratories, Inc.
("ATL"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Squibb Corporation. Mr. Ellenbogen was
involved in the management of the digital angiography group of ATL from 1982
to 1985. Mr. Ellenbogen is employed by Hologic and performs part-time
management services for the Company pursuant to a management agreement between
the Company and Hologic. See "Risk Factors--Dependence on Management and Key
Employees" and "Certain Transactions--Hologic, Inc."
 
  DR. JAY A. STEIN, a co-founder of the Company and Hologic, has served as
Senior Vice President, Technical Director and a director for both companies
since their organization. Dr. Stein co-founded DTI with Mr. Ellenbogen in
1981, served as Vice President and Technical Director of DTI and was Technical
Director of the digital angiography group of its successor, ATL, from 1982 to
1985. Dr. Stein received a Ph.D. in Physics from The Massachusetts Institute
of Technology. He is the principal author of fifteen patents pertaining to X-
ray technology. Dr. Stein is employed by Hologic and performs part-time
management services for the Company pursuant to a management agreement between
the Company and Hologic. See "Risk Factors--Dependence on Management and Key
Employees" and "Certain Transactions--Hologic, Inc."
 
  WILLIAM J. FRAIN, a Certified Public Accountant, has served as Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer since October 1996. Prior to that, Mr. Frain
served as Controller from August 1993 until October 1996. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Frain served as a financial auditor in the Enterprise Group at
Arthur Andersen LLP from September 1988 to August 1993.
 
  JAMES J. ALDO has served as Vice President of Marketing and Sales since July
1993. Prior to that, Mr. Aldo served as Director of Sales and Marketing since
joining the Company in July 1989. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Aldo held
positions in marketing, sales, engineering and field service management at
AS&E and served as Eastern Regional Manager at Tegal, Inc., a subsidiary of
Motorola, Inc., a manufacturer of capital equipment for the semiconductor
industry.
 
                                      35

<PAGE>
 
  DANIEL J. SILVA has served as Vice President of Operations since April 1994.
Prior to that, Mr. Silva served as the Company's Director of Operations from
June 1992 to April 1994. Mr. Silva was hired as an Operations Manager in June
1991. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Silva held positions in manufacturing,
project management and program management at AS&E.
 
  AMBASSADOR L. PAUL BREMER, III has been a director of the Company since July
1996. Ambassador Bremer has served as a Managing Director of Kissinger
Associates, Inc., a strategic consulting firm headed by former Secretary of
State Henry Kissinger, since 1989. Prior to joining Kissinger Associates,
Ambassador Bremer held numerous positions in the United States Diplomatic
Service, including as the United States Ambassador to the Netherlands from
1983 to 1986, and as Ambassador-at-Large for Counter-Terrorism responsible for
developing and implementing America's global policies to combat terrorism,
from 1986 to 1989. Ambassador Bremer is a Trustee of the Economic Club of New
York, serves on the Board of Advisors of the Russian--American Press and
Information Center, and is a member of the International Institute for
Strategic Studies and the Council on Foreign Relations. Ambassador Bremer also
serves as a director of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. See "Certain
Transactions--Consulting Services."
 
  FRANK KENNY has been a director of the Company since 1989. Mr. Kenny has
served as Managing Director of Delta Partners Ltd., a venture capital company
since June 1994. Mr. Kenny has also served as Managing Partner of Beta
Partners, Inc., a venture capital company, since 1987. Mr. Kenny is also a
director of Abacus Direct Corporation.
   
  GLENN P. MUIR has been a director of the Company since October 1996. Mr.
Muir, a Certified Public Accountant, served as Treasurer of the Company from
August 1993 until October 1996 and served as Controller of the Company from
the Company's inception until August 1993, under the Company's management
agreement with Hologic. Mr. Muir has been the Vice President of Finance and
Treasurer of Hologic since February 1992. Mr. Muir joined Hologic as its
Controller in October 1988 and served in that capacity until February 1992.
See "Certain Transactions--Hologic, Inc."     
 
  GERALD SEGEL has been a director of the Company since October 1996. Mr.
Segel, currently retired, was Chairman of the Board of Tucker Anthony
Incorporated from January 1987 to May 1990. From 1983 through January 1987 he
served as President of Tucker Anthony Incorporated. Mr. Segel also serves a
director of Litchfield Financial Inc. and Hologic.
 
  Mr. Ellenbogen, Mr. Kenny and Dr. Stein have been elected to the Board of
Directors pursuant to agreements among the Company, Mr. Ellenbogen, Dr. Stein
and the holders of the Company's Preferred Stock. Under these agreements, the
holders of the Preferred Stock have agreed to vote their shares for the
election of Mr. Ellenbogen and Dr. Stein, and Mr. Ellenbogen and Dr. Stein
have agreed to vote their shares to elect designees of the holders of the
Preferred Stock. Mr. Kenny is the designee of the holders of the Preferred
Stock. The agreements will terminate upon the closing of the Offering.
 
  Upon the closing of the Offering, the Company's Board of Directors will be
divided into three classes, with the classes being elected for staggered
three-year terms. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors will be
elected to succeed those in the class whose term then expires, and each
elected director will serve for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual
meeting of stockholders after such director's election, and until the
director's successor is elected and qualified. As a result, directors stand
for election only once in three years. Executive officers serve at the
discretion of the Board of Directors.
 
  The Board of Directors has appointed a Compensation Committee and an Audit
Committee, each of which is currently composed of Messrs. Bremer, Kenny, Muir
and Segel. The functions of the Compensation Committee include presentation
and recommendations to the Board of Directors on compensation levels for
officers and directors and issuance of stock options to the Board of
Directors, employees and affiliates. The functions of the Audit Committee
include recommending to the Board of Directors the engagement of the
independent accountants,
 
                                      36
<PAGE>
 
reviewing the scope of internal controls and reviewing the implementation by
management of recommendations made by the independent accountants.
 
SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES
 
  Certain key employees of the Company who are not also officers or directors
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   NAME                  AGE POSITION
   ----                  --- --------
   <C>                   <C> <S>
   Kristoph D. Krug      43  Director of Engineering
   Jeremy M. Attree      37  Director of Operations, Europe
</TABLE>
 
  KRISTOPH D. KRUG joined the Company in July 1989 as a Project Engineer and
was promoted to Director of Research and Development Engineering in 1992. Mr.
Krug is the author of two of the Company's patents for X-ray screening. Prior
to joining the Company, Mr. Krug was Engineering Manager at Teradyne, Inc., a
manufacturer of automated test equipment.
 
  JEREMY M. ATTREE has served as Director of Operations, Europe since joining
the Company in October 1993. From September 1991 to October 1993, Mr. Attree
served as Marketing Manager for EA Technology Ltd, a primary research and
development center for the electricity industry in the United Kingdom. Prior
to joining EA Technology, Mr. Attree served as Marketing Director and
Development Manager for Schlumberger Industries, Security Division, where he
was engaged primarily in the development of new products in the airport
security field.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
  Each nonemployee director receives (i) an annual retainer of $5,000, payable
$1,250 per quarter, (ii) a directors meeting fee of $1,000 for each meeting of
the Board of Directors at which the director is physically present and $500
for each meeting at which the director participated by telephone and (iii) a
committee meeting fee for each meeting of a committee of the Board of
Directors at which the director was physically present, in the amount of
$1,000 if the meeting is held on a day other than a day of a meeting of the
Board of Directors and $500 if held on the same day as a meeting of the Board
of Directors, but no fee if the committee meeting is held at the same time or
immediately in conjunction with the meeting of the Board of Directors.
 
  Nonemployee directors are also eligible to receive stock options pursuant to
the Company's 1996 Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan. See "Management--
Stock Option Plans."
 
 
                                      37
<PAGE>
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
  The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth the compensation during
the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996 of each of the Chief Executive
Officer and the executive officers of the Company whose annual salary and
bonus exceeded $100,000 for services in all capacities to the Company during
the fiscal year.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          LONG TERM
                                                        COMPENSATION
                             ANNUAL COMPENSATION(1)        AWARDS
                          ----------------------------- -------------
                                           OTHER ANNUAL  SECURITIES    ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL         SALARY   BONUS  COMPENSATION  UNDERLYING   COMPENSATION
POSITION                    ($)      ($)       ($)      OPTION (#)(2)     ($)
- ------------------        -------- ------- ------------ ------------- ------------
<S>                       <C>      <C>     <C>          <C>           <C>
S. David Ellenbogen(3)..  $ 71,000 $25,000     --            --           --
 Chief Executive
 Officer,
 President and Director
James J. Aldo...........   114,916  93,750     --            --           --
 Vice President of
 Marketing and Sales
Daniel J. Silva ........   112,900  68,750     --            --           --
 Vice President of
 Operations
</TABLE>
- --------
   
(1) In accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission the
    compensation described in the tables does not include medical, group life
    insurance or other benefits received by the executive officers named in
    the above table which are available to all salaried employees of the
    Company, and certain perquisites and other personal benefits, securities
    or property received by the executive officers which do not exceed the
    lesser of $50,000 or 10% of any such officer's salary and bonus described
    in this table.     
(2) The Company did not make any restricted stock awards, grant any stock
    appreciation rights or make any long-term incentive payments during fiscal
    1996.
(3) Represents Mr. Ellenbogen's compensation paid by the Company to Hologic
    pursuant to a management agreement between the Company and Hologic. The
    Company pays to Hologic its proportionate share of Hologic's overhead,
    including the salary of Hologic's employees rendering services to the
    Company. See "Certain Transactions--Hologic, Inc."
 
STOCK OPTION PLANS
 
  The following two tables set forth certain information with respect to (i)
the number of options granted to the named executive officers in fiscal 1996
and (ii) the aggregate number of and value of options exercised and
exercisable by the named executive officers during fiscal 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             POTENTIAL
                                                                         REALIZABLE VALUE
                                                                            AT ASSUMED
                                                                          ANNUAL RATES OF
                                                                            STOCK PRICE
                                                                         APPRECIATION FOR
                                        INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                 OPTION TERM(3)
                         ----------------------------------------------- -----------------
                         NUMBER OF
                         SECURITIES  PERCENT OF
                         UNDERLYING TOTAL OPTIONS
                          OPTIONS    GRANTED TO   EXERCISE OR
                         GRANTED(1) EMPLOYEES IN  BASE PRICE  EXPIRATION
NAME                        (#)      FISCAL YEAR  $/SHARE(2)     DATE     5% ($)   10%($)
- ----                     ---------- ------------- ----------- ---------- -------- --------
<S>                      <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>        <C>      <C>
S. David Ellenbogen.....    --           --           --         --        --       --
James J. Aldo...........   10,000       14.9%        $3.00    7/22/2006  $ 18,867 $ 47,812
                           10,000                     1.00    11/6/2005    6,289   15,937
Daniel J. Silva.........   10,000       14.9%         3.00    7/22/2006   18,867   47,812
                           10,000                     1.00    11/6/2005    6,289   15,937
</TABLE>
 
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
- --------
(1) Options vest at the rate of 20% per year commencing one year after the
    date of grant and each year thereafter until fully vested.
(2) All options were granted at not less than the fair market value as
    determined by the Board of Directors of the Company on the date of grant.
(3) Amounts reported in this column represent hypothetical values that may be
    realized upon exercise of the options immediately prior to the expiration
    of their term, assuming the specified compounded rates of appreciation of
    the Company's Common Stock over the term of the options. These numbers are
    calculated based on rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
    Commission. Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises and Common
    Stock holdings are dependent on the time of such exercise and the future
    performance of the Company's Common Stock.
 
                                      38
<PAGE>
 
  The following table sets forth the aggregate number and value of options
exercisable and unexercisable by the named executive officers during fiscal
1996. No stock options were exercised by any of the named executive officers
in fiscal 1996.
 
                         FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               NUMBER OF SECURITIES    VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN-
                              UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED     THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
                               OPTIONS AT 9/30/96(#)         9/30/96($)(1)
NAME                         EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
- ----                         ------------------------- -------------------------
<S>                          <C>                       <C>
S. David Ellenbogen.........           --/--                     --/--
James J. Aldo...............       84,500/42,000          $1,073,000/$494,000
Daniel J. Silva.............       55,000/50,000            686,500/591,000
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) There was no public trading market for the Common Stock as of September
    30, 1996. Accordingly, these values have been calculated on the basis of
    the assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share, less the
    applicable exercise price.
 
  1989 Combination Stock Option Plan. In 1989, the Company adopted the 1989
Combination Stock Option Plan (the "1989 Option Plan"). The purpose of the
1989 Option Plan is to provide long-term incentives and rewards to the
Company's employees, officers, directors, advisors and consultants. The
Company has adopted an informal policy of granting stock options to each
employee. A total of 1,250,000 shares of Common Stock has been reserved for
issuance under the 1989 Option Plan. As of October 15, 1996, options to
purchase 873,300 shares of Common Stock at exercise prices ranging from $0.10
to $9.50 per share were outstanding under the 1989 Option Plan.
 
  1996 Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan. In October 1996, the Company
adopted the 1996 Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan (the "Directors Plan")
to promote the Company's interests by attracting and retaining highly skilled,
experienced and knowledgeable nonemployee directors. Any director who is not
an employee of the Company is eligible to receive nonqualified stock options
under the Directors Plan. A total of 125,000 shares of Common Stock have been
reserved for issuance under the Directors Plan.
 
  The Directors Plan provides that each eligible director, elected or
appointed after October 10, 1996, will be granted an option to acquire 10,000
shares, effective upon the date he or she is first elected to the Board of
Directors. Each eligible director will also receive an option to acquire 2,500
shares each year. The initial grant of options to eligible directors under the
Directors Plan vest at the rate of 20% per year, with the first installment
vesting one year from the date of grant. The annual grant of options under the
Directors Plan vest six months after the date of grant. The exercise price for
all options granted under the Directors Plan will be the fair market value of
the shares of Common Stock at the time the options granted. No option under
the Directors Plan may be exercised subsequent to ten years from the date of
grant.
 
  Options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of
$3.00 per share granted to each of Messrs. Bremer and Segel in July 1996 will
be credited against the number of shares eligible for issuance under the
Directors Plan.
 
  1996 Equity Incentive Plan. In October 1996, the Company adopted the 1996
Equity Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan") to promote the Company's
interests by attracting and retaining key employees, directors, consultants
and advisors and providing incentives for such individuals to assist the
Company in achieving long-range performance goals. A total of 750,000 shares
of Common Stock have been reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options
and other awards to be granted under the Incentive Plan.
 
  Under the Incentive Plan, the Company may grant both incentive stock options
and non-qualified stock options, as well as stock appreciation rights
("SARs"), performance or award shares, and restricted stock. SARs entitle the
holder thereof to receive upon exercise, cash or common stock, as determined
by the Board of Directors of the Company, equal in value to the difference
between the SAR issuance price and the fair market value of the shares subject
to the SAR on the date of exercise. Performance or award shares may be issued
to a participant in the Plan for no value in the event certain performance
milestones, determined by the Board, have
 
                                      39
<PAGE>
 
been reached by the Company or the plan participant. Restricted stock may be
issued to a participant in the Plan for no value but may not be sold by the
participant for a restriction period to be determined by the Board.
 
  The Incentive Plan contains change in control provisions which could cause
options to become immediately exercisable and restrictions and deferred
limitations applicable to other awards to lapse in the event of a change in
control of the Company.
 
  Options and other awards under the Incentive Plan may not be granted after
October 8, 2006. No options or other awards have been issued under the
Incentive Plan.
 
BONUS PLANS
 
  The Company maintains an informal bonus program for certain employees,
including executive officers, under which such employees may be awarded
discretionary cash bonuses based upon an evaluation of individual performance
and the performance of the Company during the year.
 
LIMITATION OF OFFICERS' AND DIRECTORS' LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS
 
  The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws include
provisions (i) to eliminate the personal liability of the Company's directors
for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty and (ii)
to permit the Company to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest
extent permitted by Delaware law. The Company has entered into indemnification
agreements with each of its directors and anticipates that it will enter into
similar agreements with any future directors. The Company may also enter into
similar agreements with certain of the Company's officers who are not also
directors. Generally, each indemnification agreement attempts to provide the
maximum protection permitted by Delaware law with respect to indemnification
of directors or officers.
 
  The indemnification agreements provide that the Company will pay certain
amounts incurred by a director or officer in connection with any civil or
criminal action or proceeding and specifically including actions by or in the
name of the Company (derivative suits) where the individual's involvement is
by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer. Such amounts
include, to the maximum extent permitted by law, attorneys fees, judgments,
civil or criminal fines, settlement amounts and other expenses customarily
incurred in connection with legal proceedings. Under the indemnification
agreements, a director or officer will not receive indemnification if he is
found not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action
was in the best interests of the Company.
 
  The Company expects to obtain directors and officers liability insurance.
 
                                      40

<PAGE>
 
                             CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
HOLOGIC, INC.
   
  In June 1989, the Company obtained an exclusive perpetual license to use
certain patent rights and technology developed by Hologic for the development,
manufacture and sale of X-ray screening security systems for explosives,
drugs, currency and other contraband (subject to termination by either party
for certain defined defaults). In September 1996, this license was amended to
grant the Company a nonexclusive license to use these patents and technology
for the development, manufacture and sale of the X-ray-based products capable
of being used for process control applications in the food and beverage
industries. Mr. Ellenbogen and Dr. Stein are directors of Hologic and hold
similar offices in Hologic as they do in the Company. Mr. Ellenbogen and Dr.
Stein collectively beneficially own approximately 6.7% of the outstanding
voting stock of Hologic.     
 
  Under the license agreement with Hologic, the Company is required to pay
Hologic royalties of 5% of the first $50 million of net sales of screening
security systems using Hologic's technology, and 3% of net sales in excess of
$50 million, up to a maximum of $200 million of net sales of these products.
The Company is also required to pay royalties of 3% up to a maximum of $200
million of net sales of products covered by the Company's nonexclusive license
for food and beverage process control. The maximum aggregate royalties payable
by the Company to Hologic under this exclusive arrangement are $7.0 million,
and under the nonexclusive arrangement, are $6.0 million. In fiscal 1994,
1995, and 1996, the Company incurred royalties of approximately $688,000,
$719,000 and $775,000, respectively, for payment under this arrangement, on
aggregate sales through fiscal 1996 of approximately $46.9 million.
 
  Under a management agreement, through the second quarter of fiscal 1996,
Hologic provided the Company with management, engineering and administrative
support, and space at Hologic's facilities. Hologic continues to provide part-
time management services of Mr. Ellenbogen and Dr. Stein, and through
September 1996 the services of Glenn P. Muir. Under this arrangement, the
Company was required to pay Hologic its proportionate share of Hologic's
expenses, including the salaries of its employees and overhead, in rendering
services to the Company. Currently the payments made under this arrangement
are the Company's proportionate share of Mr. Ellenbogen's and Dr. Stein's
compensation. No compensation is paid by the Company to any of Hologic's
employees, including Mr. Ellenbogen and Dr. Stein. The management agreement
may be terminated by either party on six months' written notice. For fiscal
1994, 1995 and 1996, the Company incurred expenses of approximately $544,000,
$530,000 and $325,000, respectively, for rent (through the second quarter of
fiscal 1996) and services under the management agreement with Hologic. In
fiscal 1994 and 1995, the Company also purchased subassemblies in the amount
of approximately $229,000 and $210,000, respectively, from Hologic.
 
  During fiscal 1996, Mr. Ellenbogen and Dr. Stein have typically devoted
approximately 16 and 8 hours per week, respectively, to the Company. In
connection with this Offering and the growth of the Company's business, Mr.
Ellenbogen is currently expending approximately 20 hours per week to the
Company. The Company has commenced a search for a chief operating officer to
further support its anticipated growth. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to attract and retain a qualified chief operating officer
on a timely basis, if at all, or that the Company will be able to successfully
integrate such person, if hired. After the integration of such person into the
management of the Company, Mr. Ellenbogen's time commitment is anticipated to
return to its previous level. See "Risk Factors--Dependence on Management and
Key Employees."
 
  The Company believes that the agreements and transactions between the
Company and Hologic are commercially reasonable. The Company did not, however,
negotiate with any unaffiliated third parties prior to reaching an agreement
with Hologic and cannot therefore determine whether the terms of the
transactions are more or less favorable than could have been obtained from
third parties.
 
CERTAIN FINANCING TRANSACTIONS
 
  In June 1989, the Company sold 234,375 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
and 250,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock to a limited number of
investors pursuant to a private placement at prices of $10.00 and $.625 per
share, respectively (an aggregate of $2,343,750 and $156,250, respectively).
In January 1991 and July 1993 the Company sold an aggregate of 343,690 shares
of Series C Preferred Stock and 254,585 shares of Series D
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
Preferred Stock to a limited number of investors pursuant to private
placements at prices of $10.00 and $1.50 per share, respectively (an aggregate
of $3,436,900 and $381,873, respectively). The holders of this Preferred Stock
also received warrants to purchase an aggregate of 361,002 shares of Common
Stock. The Series A Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock are not
convertible and are redeemable by the Company at a purchase price of $10.00
per share. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock
is convertible into ten shares of Common Stock.
 
  The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock
deferred and waived certain of the Company's mandatory redemption obligations
with respect to such Preferred Stock. The waivers remain effective through
November 1, 1996 and thereafter until the holders of not less than 60% of the
shares of the applicable series provide the Company with 60 days prior notice
of their intention to reinstate the Company's mandatory redemption obligations
with respect to the covered shares. All of these shares are redeemable within
one year of June 30, 1996. The Company has elected to redeem all of the
578,065 issued and outstanding shares of the Series A and Series C Preferred
Stock at the closing of the Offering, for an aggregate redemption price of
$5,780,650, in order to eliminate certain rights and preferences that the
holders of such stock would otherwise have had.
 
  Upon the closing of the Offering, the Series B Preferred Stock and Series D
Preferred Stock will be automatically converted into an aggregate of 5,045,850
shares of Common Stock. In connection with the Offering, the holders of the
Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock
and Series D Preferred Stock have agreed to waive certain of their rights and
preferences that relate to the Offering and other continuing obligations of
the Company.
 
  Purchasers of Company's Preferred Stock include:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     NUMBER OF SHARES
                                            -----------------------------------
PURCHASER(1)                                SERIES A SERIES B SERIES C SERIES D
- ------------                                -------- -------- -------- --------
<S>                                         <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Burr, Egan, Deleage & Co................... 102,001  108,801  143,131  106,024
Beta Partners Limited Partnership..........  37,500   40,000   52,621   38,978
Pioneer Capital Corporation................  37,500   40,000   52,621   38,978
Massachusetts Capital Resource Company.....  37,500   40,000   52,621   38,978
Claflin Capital Corporation................   9,375   10,000   27,964   20,714
HLM Partners V Limited Partnership.........  10,499   11,199   14,732   10,913
</TABLE>
- --------
   
(1) Includes shares held by venture capital funds managed or controlled by the
    purchasers listed above or by certain officers of one of those
    corporations. Beta Partners Limited Partnership is an affiliate of a
    director of the Company. See "Principal Stockholders."     
 
CONSULTING SERVICES
 
  In April 1996, the Company retained the services of Kissinger Associates,
Inc., a strategic consulting firm, to provide advice and assistance in
connection with the Company's efforts to expand the market for its products
and technology outside of the United States. The Company pays Kissinger
Associates an annual retainer fee of $100,000, and will be required in certain
instances to pay an additional fee based upon the value of each sale of
equipment or technology to a customer for which Kissinger Associates'
assistance has been requested. Ambassador L. Paul Bremer, III, a director of
the Company, is a Managing Director of Kissinger Associates.
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
                             PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
  The following table sets forth certain information as of October 15, 1996
concerning the beneficial ownership of Common Stock by (i) each person who is
known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock, (ii) each director of the Company, (iii) each of the executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table and (iv) all executive
officers and directors of the Company as a group, after giving effect to the
redemption of all outstanding shares of non-convertible redeemable Series A
Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock. This information is based upon
information received from or on behalf of the named individuals. Unless
otherwise noted, the beneficial owners listed have sole voting and investment
power over the shares listed.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        PERCENTAGE OF
                                                      OUTSTANDING SHARES
                                                ------------------------------
                                    NUMBER OF
                                    SHARES OF
                                   COMMON STOCK
NAME AND ADDRESS OF                BENEFICIALLY
BENEFICIAL OWNER                     OWNED(1)   BEFORE OFFERING AFTER OFFERING
- -------------------                ------------ --------------- --------------
<S>                                <C>          <C>             <C>
Funds managed by Burr, Egan,        2,301,945        33.1%           25.7%
 Deleage & Co.(2).................
 One Post Office Square, Suite
 3800
 Boston, Massachusetts 02103
Beta Partners Limited                 846,284        12.4             9.6
 Partnership(3)(5)................
 One Post Office Square, Suite
 3800
 Boston, Massachusetts 02103
Frank Kenny(4)(5).................    846,284        12.4             9.6
 One Post Office Square, Suite
 3800
 Boston, Massachusetts 02103
Massachusetts Capital Resource        846,284        12.4             9.6
 Company(6).......................
 420 Boylston Street
 Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Pioneer Capital Corporation(7)....    803,970        11.7             9.1
 60 State Street
 Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Charles T. O'Neill, as                800,000        11.8             9.1
 Trustee(8).......................
 c/o O'Neill & Neylon
 950 Winter Street
 Waltham, Massachusetts 02154
Dr. Jay A. Stein(9)...............    762,000        11.2             8.7
 c/o Vivid Technologies, Inc.
 10E Commerce Way
 Woburn, Massachusetts 01801
S. David Ellenbogen(10)...........    428,000         6.3             4.9
 c/o Vivid Technologies, Inc.
 10E Commerce Way
 Woburn, Massachusetts 01801
James J. Aldo(11).................     86,500         1.3               *
Daniel J. Silva(12)...............     57,000           *               *
Glenn P. Muir(13).................     35,250           *               *
L. Paul Bremer, III...............        --          --               --
Gerald Segel......................        --          --               --
All directors and officers as a                                      24.6
 group (9 persons) (14)...........  2,222,134        31.6
</TABLE>
 
                                       43

<PAGE>
 
- --------
* Less than 1% of the outstanding Common Stock.
(1) The number of shares of Common Stock deemed outstanding prior to the
    Offering includes (i) 1,746,520 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of
    October 15, 1996, (ii) an aggregate of 5,045,850 shares of Common Stock
    issuable upon conversion of all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred
    Stock and Series D Preferred Stock and (iii) shares issuable pursuant to
    options and warrants held by the respective person or group which may be
    exercised within 60 days after October 15, 1996 ("presently exercisable
    stock options" and "presently exercisable warrants," respectively), as set
    forth below. The number of shares of Common Stock deemed outstanding after
    the Offering includes an additional 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock which
    are being offered for sale by the Company in the Offering. Beneficial
    ownership is determined in accordance with rules of the Securities and
    Exchange Commission that deem shares to be beneficially owned by any
    person who has or shares voting or investment power with respect to such
    shares. Presently exercisable options and presently exercisable warrants
    are deemed to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person or
    group holding stock options or warrants for the purpose of computing the
    percentage ownership of such person or group, but not treated as
    outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any
    other person or group.
(2) Comprised of (i) 1,492,700 shares and 106,794 shares issuable pursuant to
    presently exercisable warrants held by Alta III Limited Partnership ("Alta
    III"), (ii) 236,940 shares and 16,952 shares issuable pursuant to
    presently exercisable warrants held by Gallion Partners II ("Gallion"),
    (iii) 379,100 shares and 27,122 shares issuable pursuant to presently
    exercisable warrants held by C.V. Sofinnova Partners Four ("Sofinnova"),
    (iv) 37,490 shares and 2,682 shares issuable pursuant to presently
    exercisable warrants held by Alta Jami Boston Limited Partnership ("Alta
    Jami"), and (v) 2,020 shares and 145 shares issuable pursuant to presently
    exercisable warrants held by Golden Coins N.V. ("Golden Coins"),
    respectively. The respective general partners of Alta III, Alta Jami,
    Gallion, Golden Coins and Sofinnova exercise sole voting and investment
    power with respect to the shares held by the funds. The principals of
    Burr, Egan, Deleage & Co. ("Burr Egan") are general partners of Alta III
    Management Partners Limited Partnership (the general partner of Alta III)
    and Alta Jami. As general partners of these funds, the principals of Burr
    Egan may be deemed to share voting and investment power for the shares
    held by the funds. Burr Egan serves as an advisor to Gallion, Sofinnova
    and Golden Coins. The principals of Burr Egan disclaim beneficial
    ownership of all shares held by the foregoing funds except to the extent
    of their pecuniary interests therein. Excludes shares beneficial owned by
    Beta Partners Limited Partnership. See footnote 3 below.
(3) Comprised of 789,780 shares and 56,504 shares issuable pursuant to
    presently exercisable warrants. Certain principals of Burr Egan are
    special limited partners of Beta Partners Limited Partnership ("Beta
    Partners"). Burr Egan exercises no investment or voting power as to the
    shares held by Beta Partners. Such principals disclaim beneficial
    ownership of the shares held by Beta Partners except to the extent of this
    pecuniary interests therein.
(4) Comprised of shares beneficially owned by Beta Partners. Mr. Kenny serves
    as a general partner of Beta Management Partners Limited Partnership, the
    general partner of Beta Partners. Mr. Kenny disclaims beneficial ownership
    of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interests therein.
(5) Excludes an aggregate of 4,256,060 shares and 304,498 shares issuable
    pursuant to presently exercisable warrants held by the funds managed by
    Burr Egan, Pioneer Capital Corporation and Claflin Capital Management,
    Inc., and by Massachusetts Capital Resource Company, Christopher W. Lynch,
    Geneva Partnership and HLM Partners V Limited Partnership, which holders
    have designed Mr. Kenny, pursuant to certain securities purchase
    agreements, to serve as their designee on the Company's Board of
    Directors. See "Management--Executive Officers and Directors."
(6) Comprised of 789,780 shares and 56,504 shares issuable pursuant to
    presently exercisable warrants.
(7) Comprised of 750,290 shares and 53,680 shares issuable pursuant to
    presently exercisable warrants held by Pioneer Ventures Limited
    Partnership, a venture fund the general partner of which is a wholly-owned
    subsidiary of Pioneer Capital Corporation which exercises voting and
    investment authority with respect to the shares owned by Pioneer Ventures
    Limited Partnership. Excludes 19,490 shares and 2,827 shares issuable
    pursuant to presently exercisable warrants held by Geneva Partnership, a
    family partnership of one of the principals of Pioneer Capital
    Corporation, and 20,000 shares held by Christopher W. Lynch, a principal
    of Pioneer Capital Corporation. Pioneer Capital Corporation disclaims
    beneficial ownership of all such shares.
(8) Includes (i) 250,000 shares held by Mr. O'Neill as Trustee of the
    Ellenbogen Family Irrevocable Trust of 1996; (ii) 350,000 shares held by
    Mr. O'Neill as Trustee of the S. David Ellenbogen 1996 Retained Annuity
    Trust; and (iii) 200,000 shares held by Mr. O'Neill as Trustee of the Jay
    A. Stein 1996 Retained Annuity Trust. Mr. O'Neill disclaims beneficial
    ownership of all such shares.
(9) Includes 72,000 shares held by Dr. Stein as Trustee. Also includes 200,000
    shares held in trust by Mr. O'Neill as Trustee of the Jay A. Stein 1996
    Retained Annuity Trust. Dr. Stein disclaims beneficial ownership of the
    shares held by Dr. Stein as Trustee.
(10) Includes 60,000 shares held by Mr. Ellenbogen as Trustee. Also includes
     350,000 shares held in trust by Mr. O'Neill, as Trustee of the S. David
     Ellenbogen 1996 Retained Annuity Trust. Excludes 250,000 shares held in
     trust by Mr. O'Neill, as Trustee of the Ellenbogen Family Irrevocable
     Trust of 1996. Mr. Ellenbogen disclaims beneficial ownership of shares
     held by Mr. Ellenbogen as Trustee and shares held in trust by Mr. O'Neill
     as Trustee of the Ellenbogen Family Irrevocable Trust of 1996.
(11) Consists of 86,500 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to presently
     exercisable stock options.
(12) Consists of 57,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to presently
     exercisable stock options.
(13) Includes 31,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to presently
     exercisable stock options.
(14) Includes 181,600 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable stock
     options and 56,504 shares issuable pursuant to presently exercisable
     warrants. See footnotes 3, 11, 12 and 13 above.
 
                                      44

<PAGE>
 
                           DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
 
  Upon the consummation of the Offering, the authorized capital stock of the
Company will consist of 30,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, and
1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $.01 par value (the "Preferred Stock").
 
COMMON STOCK
 
  As of October 15, 1996, after giving effect to the conversion of all
outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock
into an aggregate of 5,045,850 shares of Common Stock, there were 6,792,370
shares of Common Stock outstanding, held of record by 49 stockholders. There
will be 8,792,370 shares of Common Stock outstanding after giving effect to
the sale of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby.
 
  The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all
matters to be voted on by the stockholders and are entitled to receive such
dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board of
Directors from funds legally available therefor. The holders of Common Stock
do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Upon
liquidation or dissolution of the Company, the holders of Common Stock are
entitled to receive all assets available for distribution to the stockholders,
subject to any preferential or other rights of the holders of Preferred Stock.
The Common Stock has no preemptive or other subscription rights, and there are
no conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to
such shares. All of the shares of Common Stock are, and the shares to be sold
in the Offering will be, fully paid and nonassessable.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
  Upon the consummation of the Offering, the Board of Directors may, without
further action of the stockholders of the Company, issue Preferred Stock in
one or more classes or series and fix the rights and preferences thereof,
including the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting
rights, terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), redemption
price or prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting
any class or series, and the designations of such class or series.
 
  The voting and other rights of the holders of Common Stock will be subject
to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any Preferred
Stock that may be issued in the future. Issuances of Preferred Stock, while
providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and
other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult
for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring,
a majority of the outstanding voting stock of the Company. The Company has no
present plans to issue any shares of Preferred Stock.
 
WARRANTS
 
  In January 1992, the Company sold a warrant to Dominion Fund II, L.P.
("Dominion") for the purchase of 42,667 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise
price of $1.50 per share. This warrant was sold in connection with a loan made
to the Company by Dominion. In March 1992 and February 1994, the Company
issued warrants to the purchasers of its Series C Preferred Stock and Series D
Preferred Stock for the purchase of an aggregate of 361,002 shares of Common
Stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. All of the outstanding warrants
are currently exercisable. Warrants to purchase 53,680 shares of Common Stock
will expire in February 2000, and the remainder will expire five years after
the completion of the Offering.
 
ANTITAKEOVER PROVISIONS
 
  In addition to the Preferred Stock, the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation includes several additional provisions which may render more
difficult an unfriendly tender offer, proxy contest, merger or other change in
control of the Company. These provisions may discourage bids for the Company
and therefore may limit the price that certain investors might be willing to
pay in the future for shares of Common Stock.
 
  The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains a so-called
"anti-greenmail" provision. The provision is intended to discourage
speculators who accumulate beneficial ownership of a significant block of
 
                                      45

<PAGE>
 
stock and then, under the threat of making a tender offer or proxy contest or
instigating some other corporate disruption, succeed in extracting from the
corporation a premium price to repurchase the shares acquired by the
speculator. This tactic has become known as greenmail. The anti-greenmail
provision prohibits the Company from purchasing any shares of Common Stock
from a related person at a per share price in excess of the fair market value
at the time of such purchase, unless the purchase is approved by two-thirds of
the holders of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, excluding any votes
cast by the Related Person. The term Related Person is defined in general to
mean any person, other than a founder of the Company (Mr. Ellenbogen and Dr.
Stein), who acquires more than 5% of the Company's voting stock. Stockholder
approval is not required for such purchases when the offer is made available
on the same terms to all holders of shares of Common Stock or when the
purchases are effected in the open market.
 
  The Restated Certificate of Incorporation also contains a provision that
will require the affirmative vote of the holders of 66 2/3% of the outstanding
Common Stock to approve amendments to the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation or to approve extraordinary transactions that are required to be
approved by stockholders under the Delaware General Corporation Law, including
mergers, sales of substantially all of the Company's assets and dissolution,
which actions are not approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors (as
defined below) of the Company. The Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation provides that the affirmative vote of the holders of only a
majority of the outstanding Common Stock is required to approve such matters
if they have been approved by the Continuing Directors. The term Continuing
Director is defined to mean (i) any member of the Board of Directors who is
unaffiliated with a Related Person and was a member of the Board of Directors
prior to the time any person became a Related Person and (ii) any successor to
such a Continuing Director who is not affiliated with any Related Person and
is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of the
Continuing Directors then on the Board of Directors. A majority of the
Continuing Directors can designate a new director to be a Continuing Director,
even though such person is affiliated with a Related Person.
 
  The Continuing Directors are currently closely affiliated with management
and are anticipated to continue to be so into the foreseeable future.
Accordingly, the effect of the provision of the Company's Restated Certificate
of Incorporation described in the preceding paragraph would be to make it
unlikely that any transaction requiring a stockholder vote would receive the
requisite approval unless supported by management. The 66 2/3% voting
requirement would apply to recapitalizations, management-led buy-outs and
other management-led transactions requiring the vote of stockholders under the
Delaware General Corporation Law, if such transactions were not approved by
the Continuing Directors. However, because of the likelihood of the close
association of the Continuing Directors to management, it would be more likely
that such transactions would obtain the approval of the Continuing Directors
and require only majority stockholder approval.
 
  The Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for the classification of
the Company's Board of Directors into three classes, with the classes being
elected for staggered three-year terms. At each annual meeting of
stockholders, directors will be elected to succeed those in the class whose
term then expires, and each elected director shall serve for a term expiring
at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after such director's
election, and until the director's successor is elected and qualified. Thus,
directors stand for election only once in three years. This provision also
restricts the ability of stockholders to enlarge the Board of Directors.
Changes in the number of Directors may be effected by a vote of a majority of
the Continuing Directors (as defined in the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation) or by the stockholders by vote of at least 80% of the shares of
the Company's voting stock outstanding, voting as a single class. Under this
provision, Directors may only be removed with or without cause by the
affirmative vote of the holders at least 80% of the combined voting power of
the outstanding shares of the Company's voting stock, voting together as a
single class.
 
  The Restated Certificate of Incorporation also provides that any action
required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Company may be
taken only at a duly called annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and
may not be taken by written consent. This provision could have the effect of
delaying until the next annual stockholders meeting stockholder actions which
are favored by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of the Company. This provision may also discourage another person or entity
from making a tender offer for the Company's Common Stock, because such person
or entity, even if it acquired a
 
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, would be able to
take action as a stockholder (such as electing new directors or approving a
merger) only at a duly called stockholders meeting, and not by written
consent.
 
  Another provision included in the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation requires the Board of Directors to consider social, economic and
other factors in evaluating whether certain types of corporate transactions
proposed by another party are in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders. These transactions include (i) the purchase or acquisition
through exchange or otherwise of any of the Company's outstanding equity
securities, (ii) the merger or consolidation of the Company with another
corporation and (iii) the purchase or other acquisition of all or
substantially all of the Company's properties and assets.
 
  Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law prohibits a Delaware
corporation from engaging in a wide range of specified transactions with any
interested stockholder, defined to include, among others, any person or entity
who in the last three years obtained 15% or more of any class or series of
stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, unless, among other
exceptions, the transaction is approved by (i) the Board of Directors prior to
the date the interested stockholder obtained such status or (ii) the holders
of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of each class or series of stock
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, not including those
shares owned by the interested stockholder. By virtue of the Company's
decision not to elect out of the statute's provisions, the statute applies to
the Company.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
  The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Common Stock is the American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company.
 
                                      47
<PAGE>
 
  CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS
 
  The following is a general discussion of the material United States federal
income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the
Common Stock applicable to Non-United States Holders of such Common Stock. For
the purposes of this discussion, a "Non-United States Holder" is any person
other than (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation,
partnership or other entity created or organized in the United States or under
the laws of the United States or any state, or (iii) an estate or trust
treated as a United States Person under Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code. The
term "Non-United States Holder" does not include individuals who were United
States citizens within the ten-year period immediately preceding the date of
this Prospectus and whose loss of United States citizenship had as one of its
principal purposes the avoidance of United States taxes. This discussion does
not deal with all aspects of United States federal income and estate taxation
and does not deal with foreign, state and local tax consequences that may be
relevant to Non-United States Holders in light of their personal
circumstances. Furthermore, the following discussion is based on current
provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and
administrative and judicial interpretations as of the date hereof, all of
which are subject to change. Prospective non-United States investors are urged
to consult their tax advisors regarding the United States federal, state,
local and non-United States income and other tax consequences of owning and
disposing of Common Stock.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
  Generally, any dividend paid to a Non-United States Holder of Common Stock
will be subject to United States withholding tax either at a rate of 30% of
the gross amount of the dividend or such lower rate as may be specified by an
applicable tax treaty. Under current United States Treasury regulations,
dividends paid to an address outside the United States are presumed to be paid
to a resident of such country (absent knowledge that such presumption is not
warranted) for purposes of the withholding discussed above and, under the
current interpretation of United States Treasury regulations, for purposes of
determining applicability of a tax treaty rate. However, under proposed United
States Treasury regulations not currently in effect, a Non-United States
Holder of Common Stock (including a beneficial owner of an interest in certain
Non-United States Holders) who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable
treaty rate would be required to satisfy certain certification and disclosure
requirements. Dividends received by a Non-United States Holder that are
effectively connected with a United States trade or business conducted by such
Non-United States Holder are exempt from such withholding tax. However, such
effectively connected dividends, net of certain deductions and credits, are
taxed at the same graduated rates applicable to United States persons.
Currently, certain certification and disclosure requirements must be complied
with in order to be exempt from withholding under the effectively connected
income exemption.
 
  In addition to the graduated tax described above, dividends received by a
corporate Non-United States Holder that are effectively connected with a
United States trade or business of the corporate Non-United States Holder may
also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% or such lower rate as
may be specified by an applicable tax treaty.
 
  A Non-United States Holder of Common Stock eligible for a reduced rate of
United States withholding tax pursuant to a tax treaty may obtain a refund of
any excess amounts currently withheld by filing an appropriate claim for
refund with the United States Internal Revenue Service.
 
GAIN ON DISPOSITION OF COMMON STOCK
 
  A Non-United States Holder generally will not be subject to United States
federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of
his Common Stock unless: (i) such gain is effectively connected with a United
States trade or business of the Non-United States Holder; (ii) the Non-United
States Holder is an individual who holds such Common Stock as a capital asset
and who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the
calendar year in which such sale or disposition occurs and certain other
conditions are met or (iii) the Company is or has been a "United States real
property holding corporation" for federal income tax purposes at any time
within the shorter of the five-year period preceding such disposition or such
holder's
 
                                      48
<PAGE>
 
holding period. The Company has determined that it is not and does not believe
that it will become a "United States real property holding corporation" for
federal income tax purposes. Even if the Company were to become a "United
States real property holding corporation," gains realized on a disposition of
Common Stock by a Non-United States Holder which did not directly or
indirectly own more than 5% of the Common Stock during the shorter of the
periods described above generally would not be subject to United States
federal income tax, provided that the Common Stock is "regularly traded" on an
established securities market.
 
  An individual Non-United States Holder with gain described in clause (i) of
the preceding paragraph will be taxed on the net gain derived from the sale
under regular graduated United States federal income tax rates. An individual
Non-United States Holder described in clause (ii) above will be subject to a
flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the sale, which may be offset by United
States capital losses (notwithstanding the fact that the individual is not
considered a resident of the United States). A corporate Non-United States
Holder with gain described in clause (i) of the preceding paragraph, it will
be taxed on its gain under regular graduated United States federal income tax
rates and, in addition, may be subject to the branch profits tax equal to 30%
of its effectively connected earnings and profits within the meaning of the
Code for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items, unless it qualifies
for a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty.
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
 
  Generally, the Company must report to the United States Internal Revenue
Service the amount of dividends paid, the name and address of the recipient of
such dividends, and the amount, if any, of tax withheld. A similar report is
sent to the recipient of such dividends. Pursuant to tax treaties or other
agreements, the United States Internal Revenue Service may make its reports
available to tax authorities in the recipient's country of residence.
 
  Under current Treasury Regulations, dividends paid to a Non-United States
Holder at an address within the United States may be subject to backup
withholding at a rate of 31% if the Non-United States Holder fails to
establish that it is entitled to an exemption or to provide a correct taxpayer
identification number and other information to the payor. Under current
Treasury Regulations, backup withholding will generally not apply to dividends
paid to Non-United States Holders at an address outside the United States
(unless the payor has knowledge that the payee is a United States person).
Under proposed United States Treasury regulations not currently in effect,
however, a Non-United States Holder will be subject to back-up withholding
unless applicable certification requirements are met.
 
  Under current Treasury Regulations, the payment of the proceeds of the
disposition of Common Stock to or through the United States office of a broker
is subject to information reporting and backup withholding at a rate of 31%
unless the holder certifies its Non-United States Holder status under
penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption. Generally, the
payment of the proceeds of the disposition by a Non-United States Holder of
Common Stock outside the United States to or through a foreign office of a
broker will not be subject to backup withholding. However, information
reporting requirements (but not backup withholding) will apply to a payment of
disposition proceeds outside the United States through an office outside the
United States of a broker that is (a) a United States person, (b) a United
States "controlled foreign corporation" for United States tax purposes or (c)
a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income for certain periods is from
the conduct of a United States trade or business unless such broker has
documentary evidence in its files of the owner's foreign status and has no
knowledge to the contrary or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
 
  Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of
persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax
withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be
obtained, provided that the required information is furnished to the United
States Internal Revenue Service.
 
ESTATE TAX
 
  A Non-United States Holder who is an individual and who owns Common Stock at
the time of his death or has made certain lifetime transfers of an interest in
Common Stock will be required to include the value of such stock in his gross
estate for United States federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable
estate tax treaty provides otherwise.
 
                                      49
<PAGE>
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
  Upon completion of the Offering, the Company will have 8,792,370 shares of
Common Stock outstanding (assuming no exercise of outstanding options or
warrants). Of these shares, the 2,000,000 shares sold in this offering will be
freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), except that any
shares purchased by "affiliates" of the Company, as that term is defined in
Rule 144 ("Rule 144") under the Securities Act ("Affiliates"), may generally
only be sold in compliance with the limitations of Rule 144 described below.
 
SALES OF RESTRICTED SHARES
 
  The remaining 6,792,370 shares of Common Stock are deemed "Restricted
Shares" under Rule 144. Of the Restricted Shares, up to 2,207,330 shares may
be eligible for sale in the public market immediately after this offering
pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act; all of these shares are
subject to the lock-up agreements described below (the "Lock-up Agreements").
All of the remaining Restricted Shares may be eligible for sale in the public
market in accordance with Rule 144 or Rule 701 under the Securities Act
beginning 90 days after the date of this Prospectus; 4,585,040 of these shares
are subject to Lock-up Agreements. Certain security holders have the right to
have their Restricted Shares registered by the Company under the Securities
Act as described below.
 
  In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated), including an Affiliate, who has beneficially
owned Restricted Shares for at least two years is entitled to sell, within any
three-month period, a number of such shares that does not exceed the greater
of (i) one percent of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock
(approximately 87,924 shares immediately after this offering) or (ii) the
average weekly trading volume in the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National
Market during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of
such sale is filed. Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to certain
limitations on manner of sale, notice requirements, and availability of
current public information about the Company. In addition, under Rule 144(k),
a person who is not an Affiliate and has not been an Affiliate for at least
three months prior to the sale and who has beneficially owned Restricted
Shares for at least three years may resell such shares without compliance with
the foregoing requirements. In meeting the two and three year holding periods
described above, a holder of Restricted Shares can include the holding periods
of a prior owner who was not an Affiliate. The Securities and Exchange
Commission has announced a proposal to reduce the two-year Rule 144 and the
three-year Rule 144(k) holding periods by one year.
 
  Rule 701 under the Securities Act provides that the shares of Common Stock
acquired on the exercise of currently outstanding options may be resold by
persons, other than Affiliates, beginning 90 days after the date of this
Prospectus, subject only to the manner of sale provisions of Rule 144, and by
Affiliates under Rule 144 without compliance with its two-year minimum holding
period, subject to certain limitations.
 
OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
 
  As of October 15, 1996, options and warrants to purchase a total of
1,276,969 shares of Common Stock were outstanding and 384,350 of the shares
issuable pursuant to such options and warrants are not yet exercisable.
Substantially all of the holders of these options and warrants have executed
Lock-up Agreements. An additional 1,020,180 shares of Common Stock are
available for future grants under the Company's stock option plans. See
"Management--Stock Option Plans."
 
  The Company intends to file one or more registration statements on Form S-8
under the Securities Act to register all shares of Common Stock subject to
outstanding stock options and Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Company's
stock option plans that do not qualify for an exemption under Rule 701 from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Company expects to
file these registration statements promptly following the closing of the
Offering, and such registration statements are expected to become effective
upon filing. Shares covered by these registration statements will thereupon be
eligible for sale in the public markets, subject to the Lock-up Agreements, to
the extent applicable.
 
                                      50
<PAGE>
 
LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS
 
  Certain security holders and all officers and directors of the Company, who
in the aggregate hold substantially all of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock and substantially all of the outstanding options or warrants to purchase
shares of Common Stock, have agreed, pursuant to the Lock-up Agreements, that
they will not, without the prior written consent of Lehman Brothers Inc.,
offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly,
any shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them for a period of 180 days
after the date of this Prospectus.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
  Upon the expiration of contractual lock-up periods, certain security holders
of the Company (the "Rights Holders") will be entitled to require the Company
to register under the Securities Act the sale of up to a total of 2,898,520
shares of outstanding Common Stock and up to 210,199 shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants (the "Registrable Shares")
under the terms of certain agreements between the Company and the Rights
Holders (the "Registration Agreements"). The Registration Agreements provide
that in the event the Company proposes to register any of its securities under
the Securities Act at any time or times, the Rights Holders, subject to
certain exceptions, shall be entitled to include Registrable Shares in such
registration. However, the managing underwriter of any such offering may
exclude for marketing reasons some or all of such Registrable Shares from such
registration. The Rights Holders have, subject to certain conditions and
limitations, additional rights to require the Company to prepare and file a
registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to their
Registrable Shares. The Company is generally required to bear the expenses of
all such registrations, except underwriting discounts and commissions. All
Rights Holders have signed Lock-up Agreements covering their Registrable
Shares.
 
                                      51
<PAGE>
 
                                 UNDERWRITING
 
  The underwriters of the U.S. Offering of the Common Stock (the "U.S.
Underwriters"), for whom Lehman Brothers Inc., Cowen & Company and Needham &
Company, Inc. are serving as representatives (the "Representatives"), have
severally agreed, subject to the terms and conditions of the U.S. Underwriting
Agreement, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, to purchase from the Company, and the Company has agreed to sell to
each U.S. Underwriter, the following number of shares of Common Stock at the
public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set
forth on the cover page of this Prospectus:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       NUMBER OF
    U.S. UNDERWRITERS                                                   SHARES
    -----------------                                                  ---------
   <S>                                                                 <C>
   Lehman Brothers Inc................................................
   Cowen & Company....................................................
   Needham & Company, Inc.............................................
                                                                       ---------
     Total............................................................ 1,600,000
                                                                       =========
</TABLE>
 
  The managers of the International Offering named below (the "International
Managers"), for whom Lehman Brothers International (Europe), Cowen & Company
and Needham & Company, Inc. are acting as lead managers, have severally
agreed, subject to the terms and conditions of the International Underwriting
Agreement, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, to purchase from the Company, and the Company has agreed to sell to
each International Manager, the following aggregate number of shares of Common
Stock at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and
commissions set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       NUMBER OF
    INTERNATIONAL MANAGERS                                              SHARES
    ----------------------                                             ---------
   <S>                                                                 <C>
   Lehman Brothers International (Europe).............................
   Cowen & Company....................................................
   Needham & Company, Inc.............................................
                                                                        -------
     Total............................................................  400,000
                                                                        =======
</TABLE>
 
  The U.S. Underwriting Agreement and the International Underwriting Agreement
(collectively, the "Underwriting Agreements") provide that the obligations of
the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers, respectively, to
purchase shares of Common Stock are subject to the approval of certain legal
matters by counsel and to certain other conditions and that if any of the
shares of Common Stock are purchased by the U.S. Underwriters pursuant to the
U.S. Underwriting Agreement or by the International Managers pursuant to the
International Underwriting Agreement, all the shares of Common Stock agreed to
be purchased by either the U.S. Underwriters or the International Managers, as
the case may be, pursuant to their respective Underwriting Agreement, must be
so purchased. The offering price and underwriting discounts and commissions
for the U.S. Offering and the International Offering are identical. The
closing of the International Offering is a condition to the closing of the
U.S. Offering, and the closing of the U.S. Offering is a condition to the
closing of the International Offering.
 
                                      52
<PAGE>
 
  The Company has been advised that the U.S. Underwriters and the
International Managers propose to offer shares of Common Stock directly to the
public initially at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of
this Prospectus and to certain selected dealers (who may include the U.S.
Underwriters and International Managers) at such public offering price less a
selling concession not to exceed $     per share. The Underwriters may allow
and the selected dealers may reallow a concession not to exceed $     per
share. After the initial offering of the Common Stock, the public offering
price, the concession to selected dealers and the reallowance to other dealers
may be changed by the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers. The
Representatives have informed the Company that the Underwriters do not intend
to confirm sales of shares of Common Stock to any accounts over which they
exercise discretionary authority.
 
  The U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers have entered into an
Agreement Between U.S. Underwriters and International Managers (the "Agreement
Between") pursuant to which each U.S. Underwriter has agreed that, as part of
the distribution of the shares of Common Stock offered in the U.S. Offering,
(a) it is not purchasing any of such shares for the account of anyone other
than a U.S. or Canadian Person (as defined below) and (b) it has not offered
or sold, and will not offer, sell, resell or deliver, directly or indirectly,
any of such shares or distribute any prospectus relating to the U.S. Offering
outside the United States or Canada or to anyone other than a U.S. or Canadian
Person. In addition, pursuant to the Agreement Between, each International
Manager has agreed that, as part of the distribution of the shares of Common
Stock offered in the International Offering, (a) it is not purchasing any of
such shares for the account of any U.S. or Canadian Person and (b) it has not
offered or sold, and will not offer, sell, resell or deliver, directly or
indirectly, any of such shares or distribute any prospectus relating to the
International Offering within the United States or Canada or to any U.S. or
Canadian Person. The foregoing limitations do not apply to stabilization
transactions or to certain other transactions specified in the Underwriting
Agreements and the Agreement Between, including: (i) certain purchases and
sales between the U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers; (ii)
certain offers, sales, resales, deliveries or distributions to or through
investment advisors or other persons exercising investment discretion; (iii)
purchases, offers or sales by a U.S. Underwriter and (iv) other transactions
specifically approved by the U.S. Underwriters and International Managers. As
used herein, "U.S. or Canadian Person" means any resident or citizen of the
United States or Canada, any corporation, pension, profit sharing or other
trust or other entity organized under or governed by the laws of the United
States or Canada or any political subdivision thereof (other than the foreign
branch of any United States or Canadian Person), any estate or trust the
income of which is subject to United States or Canadian federal income
taxation regardless of the source of its income, and any United States or
Canadian branch of a person other than a United States or Canadian Person. The
term "United States" means the United States of America (including the states
thereof and the District of Columbia) and its territories, its possessions and
other areas subject to its jurisdiction. The term "Canada" means the provinces
of Canada, its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its
jurisdiction.
 
  Pursuant to the Agreement Between, sales may be made among the U.S.
Underwriters and the International Mangers of such number of shares of Common
Stock as may be mutually agreed. The price of any shares so sold shall be the
public offering prices as then in effect for Common Stock being sold by the
U.S. Underwriters and International Managers, less an amount not greater than
the selling concession unless otherwise determined by mutual agreement. To the
extent that there are sales pursuant to the Agreement Between, the number of
shares initially available for sale by the U.S. Underwriters and the
International Managers may be more or less than the amount specified on the
cover page of this Prospectus.
 
  Each International Manager has represented and agreed that: (i) it has not
offered or sold and, prior to the date six months after the date of issue of
the shares of Common Stock, will not offer or sell any shares of Common Stock
to persons in the United Kingdom except to persons whose ordinary activities
involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as
principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses or otherwise in
circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in an offer to the
public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Public Offers of
Securities Regulations 1995; (ii) it has complied and will comply with all
applicable provisions of the Financial Services Act 1986 with respect to
anything done by it in relation to the Common Stock in, from or otherwise
involving the United Kingdom and (iii) it has only issued or passed on, and
will only issue or pass on, to any person in the United Kingdom, any document
received
 
                                      53
<PAGE>
 
by it in connection with the issue of the Common Stock if that person is of a
kind described in Article 11(3) of the Financial Services Act 1986 (Investment
Advertisements) (Exemptions) Order 1995.
 
  Purchasers of the shares offered pursuant to the Offering may be required to
pay stamp taxes and other charges in accordance with the laws and practices of
the country of purchase in addition to the offering price set forth on the
cover page hereof.
 
  The Company has granted to the U.S. Underwriters and the International
Mangers options to purchase up to an aggregate of 240,000 and 60,000
additional shares of Common Stock, respectively, at the initial public
offering price less the aggregate underwriting discounts and commissions shown
on the cover page of this Prospectus, solely to cover over-allotments, if any.
The options may be exercised at any time up to 30 days after the date of this
Prospectus. To the extent that the U.S. Underwriters and the International
Mangers exercise such options, each of the U.S. Underwriters and the
International Managers, as the case may be, will be committed (subject to
certain conditions) to purchase a number of option shares proportionate to
such U.S. Underwriter's or International Manager's initial commitment.
 
  The Company has agreed to indemnify the U.S. Underwriters and the
International Mangers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Act, and to contribute to payments which the U.S. Underwriters and the
International Managers may be required to make in respect thereof.
 
  The Company, the officers and directors of the Company and certain other
stockholders of the Company have agreed that they will not, without the prior
written consent of Lehman Brothers Inc., offer, sell, grant any options to
purchase or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock within 180 days
after the date of this Prospectus, other than (i) the shares of Common Stock
to be sold to the Underwriters in the Offering, (ii) the issuance of options
and sales of Common Stock pursuant to currently existing stock-based
compensation plans and (iii) the issuance of shares of Common Stock as
consideration for the acquisition of one or more businesses (provided that
such Common Stock may not be resold prior to the expiration of the 180-day
period referenced above). See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
 
  Prior to the Offering there has been no public market for the Common Stock.
The initial public offering price for the Common Stock will be determined by
negotiation among the Company and the Representatives. Among the factors to be
considered in determining the initial public offering price will be prevailing
market and economic conditions, estimates of the business potential and
prospects of the Company, the state of the Company's business operations, an
assessment of the Company's management, the consideration of the above factors
in relation to market valuations of companies in related business and other
factors deemed relevant. The estimated initial public offering price range set
forth on the cover page of this preliminary prospectus is subject to change as
a result of market conditions and other factors.
 
                                      54
<PAGE>
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  Certain legal matters in connection with the Offering will be passed upon
for the Company by Brown, Rudnick, Freed & Gesmer, Boston, Massachusetts.
Certain legal matters in connection with the Offering will be passed upon for
the Underwriters by Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. A
member of Brown, Rudnick, Freed & Gesmer, counsel to the Company, is Secretary
of the Company.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The financial statements included in this Prospectus or elsewhere in this
Registration Statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent
public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are
included herein upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said
reports.
 
                            ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
   
  The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("Commission"), Washington, D.C. 20549, a Registration Statement on Form S-1
("Registration Statement") under the Securities Act with respect to the Common
Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information
set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules
thereto. For further information with respect to the Company and the Common
Stock, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits and
schedules thereto. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents
of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete and, in each
instance where such contract or document is filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, reference is made to the copy of such contract or
document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such
statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. Copies of the
Registration Statement, including the exhibits thereto, may be inspected
without charge and copied, at prescribed rates, at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's Regional Offices at Citicorp Center, 500
West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and 7 World Trade
Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. In addition, the Commission
maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements
and other information regarding registrants (including the Company) that file
electronically with the Commission, which can be accessed at
http://www.sec.gov.     
 
  As a result of the Offering, the Company will become subject to the
information and reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and in accordance therewith will file periodic reports, proxy
statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Company intends to distribute to its stockholders annual reports
containing consolidated financial statements audited by its independent
accountants and will make available copies of quarterly reports for the first
three quarters of each fiscal year containing unaudited consolidated financial
information.
 
                                      55
<PAGE>
 
                   VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PAGE
                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                       <C>
Report of Independent Public Accountants................................. F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1995 and 1996 ........... F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended September 30,
 1994, 1995 and 1996..................................................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) for the Years
 Ended September 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996................................. F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended September 30,
 1994, 1995 and 1996..................................................... F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................... F-7
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
                   REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Vivid Technologies, Inc.:
 
  We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Vivid
Technologies, Inc. (a Massachusetts corporation) and subsidiaries as of
September 30, 1995 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, stockholders' equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended September 30, 1996. These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Vivid Technologies, Inc.
and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1995 and 1996, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended September 30, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                          Arthur Andersen LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
October 25, 1996 (except with
respect to the matter discussed
in Note 12(C) as to which the
date is November 6, 1996)
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                   VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        SEPTEMBER 30,        SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                   ------------------------  ------------------
                                      1995         1996          PRO FORMA
                                   -----------  -----------  ------------------
                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                <C>          <C>          <C>
              ASSETS
Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents........ $ 2,561,912  $ 1,661,724     $ 1,661,724
 Accounts receivable..............   1,168,124    3,720,478       3,720,478
 Inventories......................   3,184,468    4,741,658       4,741,658
 Deferred tax asset...............         --       181,000         181,000
 Other current assets.............      57,382      444,902         444,902
                                   -----------  -----------     -----------
 Total current assets.............   6,971,886   10,749,762      10,749,762
                                   -----------  -----------     -----------
Property and equipment, at cost:
 Machinery and equipment..........   1,378,390    1,681,659       1,681,659
 Furniture and fixtures...........      68,534       58,855          58,855
 Leasehold improvements...........     120,540      143,776         143,776
 Equipment under capital leases...         --       198,580         198,580
                                   -----------  -----------     -----------
                                     1,567,464    2,082,870       2,082,870
 Less--accumulated depreciation
  and amortization................     867,088    1,097,717       1,097,717
                                   -----------  -----------     -----------
                                       700,376      985,153         985,153
                                   -----------  -----------     -----------
Other assets, net.................      67,264      228,077         228,077
                                   -----------  -----------     -----------
                                   $ 7,739,526  $11,962,992     $11,962,992
                                   ===========  ===========     ===========
  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
         EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
 Obligation under capital leases..         --        36,888          36,888
 Accounts payable.................     726,571    1,493,874       1,493,874
 Accrued expenses.................   2,276,883    3,432,914       3,432,914
 Currently redeemable series A
  preferred stock.................         --     2,343,750       2,343,750
 Currently redeemable series C
  preferred stock.................         --     3,436,900       3,436,900
 Customer deposits................         --     1,042,085       1,042,085
                                   -----------  -----------     -----------
 Total current liabilities........   3,003,454   11,786,411      11,786,411
                                   -----------  -----------     -----------
Redeemable preferred stock $.01
 par value, net of current
 portion:
 Series A--
 234,375 shares authorized,
  issued and outstanding..........   2,343,750          --              --
                                   -----------  -----------     -----------
 Series C--
 343,690 shares authorized,
  issued and outstanding .........   3,436,900          --              --
                                   -----------  -----------     -----------
Commitments and contingencies
 (notes 10 and 12)
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
 Convertible preferred stock, $.01
  par value--
 Series B--
  Authorized--250,000 shares,
   none pro forma
  Issued and outstanding--250,000
   shares, none pro forma
   (liquidation preference of
   $156,250)......................       2,500        2,500             --
 Series D--
  Authorized--254,585 shares,
   none pro forma
  Issued and outstanding--254,585
   shares, none pro forma
   (liquidation preference of
   $381,878)......................       2,546        2,546             --
 Common stock, $.01 par value--
 Authorized--7,500,000 shares
  Issued and outstanding--
   1,674,350 shares in 1995,
   1,740,520 shares in 1996 and
   6,786,370 shares pro forma.....      16,743       17,405          67,864
 Capital in excess of par value...     538,546      594,279         548,866
 Accumulated deficit..............  (1,604,913)    (440,149)       (440,149)
                                   -----------  -----------     -----------
   Total stockholders' equity
    (deficit).....................  (1,044,578)     176,581         176,581
                                   -----------  -----------     -----------
                                   $ 7,739,526  $11,962,992     $11,962,992
                                   ===========  ===========     ===========
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                   VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                              YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                         -------------------------------------
                                            1994         1995         1996
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                      <C>          <C>          <C>
Revenues...............................  $13,801,281  $14,437,220  $15,578,326
Cost of revenues (includes
 approximately $917,000, $929,000 and
 $775,000, respectively, of royalties
 to and purchases from Hologic, see
 Note 10)..............................    6,761,739    6,128,986    6,899,433
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------
  Gross margin.........................    7,039,542    8,308,234    8,678,893
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------
Operating expenses (includes
 approximately $544,000, $530,000 and
 $325,000, respectively, of management
 service expenses from Hologic, see
 Note 10):
  Research and development.............    2,295,927    3,653,041    3,461,555
  Selling and marketing................      716,312    1,077,235    1,394,880
  General and administrative...........      915,479    1,120,292    1,515,420
  Litigation expenses..................      199,388      308,482    1,149,889
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------
   Total operating expenses............    4,127,106    6,159,050    7,521,744
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------
Income from operations.................    2,912,436    2,149,184    1,157,149
Interest income........................        1,818       53,378       60,616
Interest expense.......................       (4,553)     (98,487)     (53,001)
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------
Income before income taxes.............    2,909,701    2,104,075    1,164,764
Provision for income taxes.............      100,000       90,000          --
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------
  Net income...........................  $ 2,809,701  $ 2,014,075  $ 1,164,764
                                         ===========  ===========  ===========
Net income per common and common
 equivalent share......................  $      0.39  $      0.28  $      0.15
                                         ===========  ===========  ===========
Weighted average number of common and
 common equivalent shares outstanding..    7,198,301    7,275,138    7,868,853
                                         ===========  ===========  ===========
</TABLE>    
 
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                   VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            SERIES B            SERIES D
                           CONVERTIBLE         CONVERTIBLE
                         PREFERRED STOCK     PREFERRED STOCK      COMMON STOCK
                       ------------------- ------------------- -------------------   CAPITAL
                        NUMBER     $.01     NUMBER     $.01     NUMBER     $.01    IN EXCESS OF ACCUMULATED
                       OF SHARES PAR VALUE OF SHARES PAR VALUE OF SHARES PAR VALUE  PAR VALUE     DEFICIT       TOTAL
                       --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------ -----------  -----------
<S>                    <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>          <C>
Balance, September
 30, 1993............   250,000   $2,500    254,585   $2,546   1,545,750  $15,458    $521,311   $(6,428,689) $(5,886,874)
 Exercise of stock
  options............       --       --         --       --      101,850    1,018      10,927           --        11,945
 Net income..........       --       --         --       --          --       --          --      2,809,701    2,809,701
                        -------   ------    -------   ------   ---------  -------    --------   -----------  -----------
Balance, September
 30, 1994............   250,000    2,500    254,585    2,546   1,647,600   16,476     532,238    (3,618,988)  (3,065,228)
 Exercise of stock
  options............       --       --         --       --       26,750      267       6,308           --         6,575
 Net income..........       --       --         --       --          --       --          --      2,014,075    2,014,075
                        -------   ------    -------   ------   ---------  -------    --------   -----------  -----------
Balance, September
 30, 1995............   250,000    2,500    254,585    2,546   1,674,350   16,743     538,546    (1,604,913)  (1,044,578)
 Issuance of common
  stock for
  services...........       --       --         --       --       15,000      150      44,850           --        45,000
 Exercise of stock
  options............       --       --         --       --       51,170      512      10,883           --        11,395
 Net income..........       --       --         --       --          --       --          --      1,164,764    1,164,764
                        -------   ------    -------   ------   ---------  -------    --------   -----------  -----------
Balance, September
 30,
 1996 ...............   250,000   $2,500    254,585   $2,546   1,740,520  $17,405    $594,279   $  (440,149) $   176,581
                        =======   ======    =======   ======   =========  =======    ========   ===========  ===========
</TABLE>
 
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                   VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                             ----------------------------------
                                                1994        1995        1996
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                          <C>         <C>         <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net income................................. $2,809,701  $2,014,075  $1,164,764
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
  cash provided by (used in) operating
  activities--
 Depreciation and amortization..............    195,031     276,838     344,894
 Issuance of common stock for services......        --          --       45,000
 Changes in assets and liabilities--
  Accounts receivable.......................   (761,359)   (331,765) (2,552,354)
  Inventories............................... (2,266,822)   (241,116) (1,557,190)
  Deferred tax asset........................        --          --     (181,000)
  Other current assets......................      6,755     (23,546)   (387,520)
  Accounts payable..........................    696,230    (504,129)    767,303
  Accrued expenses..........................  1,235,351     535,331   1,156,031
  Customer deposits.........................    102,390    (677,390)  1,042,085
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
   Net cash provided by (used in) operating
    activities..............................  2,017,277   1,048,298    (157,987)
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
 Purchase of property and equipment, net....   (584,136)   (383,670)   (427,053)
 Decrease (increase) in short-term
  investments...............................   (500,000)    500,000         --
 Decrease (increase) in other assets........    (39,929)      4,063     (37,581)
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
   Net cash provided by (used in) investing
    activities.............................. (1,124,065)    120,393    (464,634)
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
 Proceeds from exercise of stock options....     11,945       6,575      11,395
 Payments on capital lease obligations......        --          --     (161,962)
 Deferred financing costs...................        --          --     (127,000)
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
   Net cash provided by (used in) financing
    activities..............................     11,945       6,575    (277,567)
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
 equivalents................................    905,157   1,175,266    (900,188)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
 year.......................................    481,489   1,386,646   2,561,912
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year...... $1,386,646  $2,561,912  $1,661,724
                                             ==========  ==========  ==========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
 information:
 Cash paid during the year for--
 Interest................................... $    6,698  $   98,487  $   53,001
                                             ==========  ==========  ==========
 Income taxes............................... $   48,000  $   74,000  $  351,000
                                             ==========  ==========  ==========
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash
 investing and financing activities:
 Assets acquired under capital leases....... $      --   $      --   $  198,850
                                             ==========  ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                   VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
(1) OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Vivid Technologies, Inc. (the Company) is a leading developer, manufacturer
and marketer of automated inspection systems which detect plastic and other
explosives in airline baggage.
 
  The Company currently sells the majority of its products to one customer,
BAA plc (BAA). BAA is scheduled to complete deployment of checked baggage
explosives detection systems at its seven airports by the end of 1997. As a
result, the Company expects that new orders from BAA will decrease during
fiscal 1997. The inability of the Company to obtain orders from customers
other than BAA would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business
and financial condition.
 
  The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the application
of the accounting policies as described below.
 
 (A) Pro Forma Presentation
 
  The pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 1996 reflects
the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of Series B and Series D
convertible preferred stock into an aggregate of 5,045,850 shares of common
stock, which will occur upon the closing of the Company's proposed initial
public offering (See Note 5).
 
 (B) Net Income per Common and Common Equivalent Share
 
  Net income per common and common equivalent share is based on the pro forma
weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding
during the period, assuming the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares
of convertible preferred stock into 5,045,850 shares of common stock. Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 83, common and common equivalent shares issued during the 12
months immediately prior to the date of the initial filing of the Company's
registration statement have been included in the calculation of weighted
average number of common shares outstanding for all periods presented using
the treasury stock method. Fair market value for the purpose of the
calculation was assumed to be $13.00. Common stock equivalents issued in
earlier periods have been included when the effect would be dilutive.
 
 (C) Principles of Consolidation
 
  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Vivid Technologies UK Ltd. and Vivid
Foreign Sales Corporation. All material intercompany transactions and balances
have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
 (D) Management Estimates
 
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 (E) Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
  The Company considers all highly liquid securities with original maturities
of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
  The Company accounts for investments in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, Accounting for Certain
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. Under SFAS No. 115, investments for
which the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are
reported at amortized cost, which approximates fair market value, and are
classified as held-to-maturity. At September 30,
 
                                      F-7

<PAGE>
 
                   VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
1995, these investments consist of U.S. Government securities and are
classified as cash equivalents. Investments purchased to be held for
indefinite periods of time, and not intended to be held until maturity, are
classified as available-for-sale. At September 30, 1995 and 1996, these
investments consist of a pooled fund, managed by the Company's bank, which
invests primarily in United States Government fixed-income securities and are
included in cash equivalents and reported at cost, which approximates fair
market value.
 
 (F) Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers
 
  SFAS No. 105, Disclosure of Information About Financial Instruments with
Off-Balance-Sheet Risk and Financial Instruments with Concentrations of Credit
Risk, requires disclosure of any significant off-balance sheet and credit risk
concentrations. Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk
consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable.
The Company places its investments in highly rated financial institutions. The
Company has not experienced any losses on these investments to date. Accounts
receivable in the amounts of approximately $519,000 and $3,505,000 at
September 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively, were due from BAA, a customer
outside the United States, who accounted for 88%, 76% and 79% of revenues in
fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. The Company has not experienced any
material losses related to receivables from individual customers or groups of
customers in the baggage security and inspection industry.
 
 (G) Disclosure of Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
  The Company's financial instruments consist mainly of cash and cash
equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. The carrying amounts
of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts
payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these
instruments.
 
 (H) Inventories
 
  Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market
and consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>       
<CAPTION>
                                                               SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                           ---------------------
                                                              1995       1996
                                                           ---------- ----------
     <S>                                                   <C>        <C>
     Raw materials........................................ $2,294,010 $3,336,696
     Work-in-process......................................    721,093    858,983
     Finished goods.......................................    169,365    545,979
                                                           ---------- ----------
                                                           $3,184,468 $4,741,658
                                                           ========== ==========
</TABLE>    
 
  Finished goods consist of materials, labor and overhead.
 
 (I) Depreciation and Amortization
 
  The Company provides for depreciation and amortization by charges to
operations using the straight-line and declining-balance methods, which
allocate the cost of property and equipment over their estimated useful lives,
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     ESTIMATED
     ASSETS CLASSIFICATION                                          USEFUL LIFE
     ---------------------                                         -------------
     <S>                                                           <C>
     Machinery and equipment......................................    5 Years
     Furniture and fixtures.......................................    7 Years
     Leasehold improvements....................................... Life of lease
     Equipment under capital leases............................... Life of lease
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                   VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

 (J) Other Assets
 
  Other assets consist primarily of patent costs, which are being amortized
over 10 years using the straight-line method, deferred financing costs
associated with the Company's initial public offering contemplated herein, and
deposits. The Company assesses the realizability of these intangible assets in
accordance with SFAS No. 121, Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of. The Company has not recorded any
impairment of its intangible assets to date and periodically reviews the
realizability of these intangible assets.
 
 (K) Revenue Recognition
   
  The Company recognizes product revenue upon shipment. A provision is made at
that time for estimated warranty and installation costs to be incurred. Other
revenues, which consist primarily of development revenues, are recorded as the
services are rendered. During 1995 and 1996 the Company recognized revenue of
approximately $1,355,000 and $716,000, respectively, under a research and
development grant from the U.S. Government. In accordance with the terms of
the grant, the Company was paid approximately $2,100,000 under a cost
reimbursement type award to pursue certain explosives detection research. As
of September 30, 1996, the Company's obligations under the grant were
satisfied and all funding had been received.     
 
  At September 30, 1996, the Company had received a customer advance from BAA
that represents payments received prior to the shipment of the product.
 
 (L) Research and Development and Software Development Costs
 
  Research and development costs have been charged to operations as incurred.
SFAS No. 86, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased
or Otherwise Marketed, requires the capitalization of certain computer
software development costs incurred after technological feasibility is
established. The Company believes that once technological feasibility of a
software product has been established, the additional development costs
incurred to bring the product to a commercially acceptable level are not
significant.
 
 (M) State of Incorporation
 
  On October 25, 1996 the Company approved the change of its state of
incorporation from Massachusetts to Delaware.
 
(2) INCOME TAXES
 
  The Company accounts for income taxes under SFAS No. 109, Accounting for
Income Taxes, the objective of which is to recognize the amount of current and
deferred income taxes at the date of the financial statements as a result of
all differences in the tax basis and financial statement carrying amount of
assets and liabilities as measured by enacted tax laws.
 
  The approximate income tax effect of each type of temporary difference and
carryforward is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                          ---------------------
                                                             1995       1996
                                                          ----------  ---------
     <S>                                                  <C>         <C>
     Research and development credit carryforwards....... $  228,000   $ 69,000
     Foreign net operating losses........................        --      51,000
     Nondeductible accruals..............................    190,000     97,000
     Nondeductible reserves..............................    515,000    278,000
     Unamortized start-up costs..........................     97,000     24,000
     Other temporary differences.........................      9,000      2,000
     Valuation allowance................................. (1,039,000)  (340,000)
                                                          ----------  ---------
       Net deferred tax asset............................ $      --   $ 181,000
                                                          ==========  =========
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                   VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  At September 30, 1996, the Company has research and development credit
carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $69,000. The
research and development credit carryforwards expire from 2007 through 2010
and are subject to review and possible adjustment by the Internal Revenue
Service.
 
  Under SFAS No. 109, the Company recognizes a deferred tax asset for the
future benefit of its temporary differences if it concludes that it is more
likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realized. The reduction in
the valuation allowance from September 30, 1995 to September 30, 1996 is due
to managment's belief that it is more likely than not that the majority of the
deferred tax assets will be realized.
 
  A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to the Company's effective
tax rate is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                            -------------------
                                                            1994   1995   1996
                                                            -----  -----  -----
     <S>                                                    <C>    <C>    <C>
     Income tax provision at federal statutory rate........  34.0%  34.0%  34.0%
     Increase (decrease) in tax resulting from--
       State tax provision, net of federal benefit.........   6.3    6.3    8.1
       Foreign net operating losses not benefited..........   --     --     4.1
       Net operating loss carryforwards utilized........... (38.9) (31.2)   --
       Reduction in valuation allowance....................   --     --   (15.5)
       Research and development tax credit utilized........   --    (6.8) (24.1)
       Alternative minimum taxes...........................   2.0    2.0    --
       Foreign sales corporation benefit...................   --     --    (7.5)
       Other...............................................   --     --     0.9
                                                            -----  -----  -----
         Effective tax rate................................   3.4%   4.3%   -- %
                                                            =====  =====  =====
</TABLE>
 
  The provision for income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements
of operations consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                      -------------------------
                                                        1994    1995     1996
                                                      -------- ------- --------
     <S>                                              <C>      <C>     <C>
     Federal--
       Current....................................... $100,000 $90,000 $179,000
       Deferred......................................      --      --  (179,000)
                                                      -------- ------- --------
                                                       100,000  90,000      --
                                                      -------- ------- --------
     State--
       Current.......................................      --      --     2,000
       Deferred......................................      --      --    (2,000)
                                                      -------- ------- --------
                                                      $100,000 $90,000 $    --
                                                      ======== ======= ========
</TABLE>
 
(3) LINE OF CREDIT
 
  The Company has a secured demand line of credit with a bank for $3,000,000.
Borrowings under the line, which are limited to a percentage of eligible
accounts receivable and inventories, as defined, are available through
February 28, 1997. Borrowings under the line bear interest at the bank's prime
rate (8.25% at September 30, 1996). There were no amounts outstanding under
this line at September 30, 1995 and 1996. The line of credit is collateralized
by substantially all assets of the Company.
 
                                     F-10

<PAGE>
 
                   VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
(4) REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
  At September 30, 1996, the Company has authorized 578,065 shares of
redeemable preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, of which 234,375 shares
and 343,690 shares have been designed as Series A and Series C redeemable
preferred stock, respectively. The redeemable preferred stockholders have the
following rights and privileges:
 
 (A) Voting
 
  The holders of Series A and Series C redeemable preferred stock have no
voting rights, unless the Company fails to redeem the Series A or Series C
redeemable preferred stock, as required, upon which the Series A or the Series
C redeemable preferred stockholders shall be entitled to elect the least
amount of directors that would constitute a majority of the Board of
Directors. No other voting rights exist for holders of Series A and Series C
redeemable preferred stock.
 
 (B) Liquidation
 
  The Series C redeemable preferred stockholders have a liquidation preference
over Series A, Series B and Series D preferred stockholders and common
stockholders in the amount of $10 per share. The Series A redeemable preferred
stockholders have a liquidation preference over the Series B convertible
preferred stockholders and common stockholders in the amount of $10 per share.
 
 (C) Dividends
 
  Series C redeemable preferred stockholders are entitled to dividends, if and
when declared by the Board of Directors, at the rate of $.10 per share. After
all Series C redeemable preferred dividends have been paid, Series A
redeemable preferred stockholders are entitled to dividends, if and when
declared by the Board of Directors, at a rate of $.10 per share. Dividends are
not cumulative. To date, the Company has not declared or paid any dividends.
 
 (D) Redemptions
 
  The Company has the option to redeem Series A and Series C redeemable
preferred stock at any time for $10 per share plus any accrued but unpaid
dividends. The holders of the Series A preferred stock and Series C preferred
stock deferred and waived certain of the Company's mandatory redemption
obligations with respect to such preferred stock. The waivers remain effective
through November 1, 1996 and thereafter until the holders of not less than 60%
of the shares of the applicable series provide the Company with 60 days prior
notice of their intention to reinstate the Company's mandatory redemption
obligations with respect to the covered shares. Absent the waiver, the Company
is required to redeem the Series A and Series C redeemable preferred stock for
$10 per share plus any accrued but unpaid dividends, provided that funds are
legally available, as follows:
 
  SERIES C REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
  .  On the 90th day following the end of each fiscal year, the number of
     shares equal to the lesser of 25% of net income, if any, for the fiscal
     year or 33 1/3% of cash flows, as defined, for the fiscal year, divided
     by the redemption price per share.
 
  .  On June 22, 1995, 75,000 shares of the outstanding shares of Series C
     redeemable preferred stock, less any shares previously redeemed.
 
  .  On January 25, 1996, 90,000 shares of the outstanding shares of Series C
     redeemable preferred stock.
 
  .  On June 22, 1996, all remaining outstanding shares of Series C
     redeemable preferred stock.
 
                                     F-11
<PAGE>
 
                   VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  SERIES A REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
  .  On the 90th day following the end of each fiscal year, the number of
     shares equal to 25% of net income, if any, for the fiscal year, divided
     by the redemption price per share, provided that the Series C redeemable
     preferred stock has been fully redeemed.
 
  .  On June 22, 1996, 60,000 shares of the outstanding shares of Series A
     redeemable preferred stock, less any shares previously redeemed.
 
  .  On January 25, 1997, 90,000 shares of the outstanding shares of Series A
     redeemable preferred stock.
 
  .  On June 22, 1997, all remaining outstanding shares of Series A
     redeemable preferred stock.
 
(5) CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
 Authorized Preferred Stock
 
  On October 25, 1996, the Company approved the filing of a Restated
Certificate of Incorporation (the Restated Certificate of Incorporation) which
provides for a new class of undesignated $.01 par value preferred stock. Upon
the filing of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Series A, B, C
and D preferred stock will no longer be authorized. The Company will be
authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of this undesignated preferred
stock. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation will be filed upon the
closing of the initial public offering contemplated herein.
 
  At September 30, 1996, the Company has authorized 504,585 shares of
convertible preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, of which 250,000 shares
and 254,585 shares have been designated as Series B and Series D convertible
preferred stock, respectively. The convertible preferred stockholders have the
following rights and privileges:
 
 (A) Voting
 
  The holders of Series B and Series D convertible preferred stock are
entitled to vote with the common stockholders as one class at the rate and
number of votes that they would receive upon conversion.
 
 (B) Conversion
 
  At September 30, 1996, each share of Series B and Series D convertible
preferred stock is convertible into 10 shares of common stock. This rate is
adjustable under certain circumstances in the event that the Company issues
additional shares of common stock, as defined, or effects a stock split or
stock dividend. The right of conversion is at the option of the holder;
however, the conversion is required upon the completion of an initial public
offering, provided that the gross proceeds to the Company exceed $5,000,000.
 
 (C) Liquidation
 
  The Series D convertible preferred stockholders have a liquidation
preference over Series A and Series B preferred stockholders and common
stockholders in the amount of $1.50 per share. The Series B preferred
stockholders have a liquidation preference over the common stockholders in the
amount of $.625 per share.
 
 (D) Dividends
 
  After all Series A and Series C redeemable preferred dividends have been
paid, Series B and Series D convertible preferred stockholders may receive
dividends, at a rate equal to dividends declared on common stock, before any
dividends are paid on common stock. Dividends are not cumulative. No cash
dividends were declared or paid as of September 30, 1996.
 
 
                                     F-12
<PAGE>
 
                   VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
(6) STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS
 
  In conjunction with a $400,000 promissory note issued in fiscal 1992 and
repaid in fiscal 1993, the Company sold a warrant, at nominal value, to
purchase 42,667 shares of the Company's common stock at $1.50 per share. The
warrant expires at various dates after February 2000 or five years after the
completion of an initial public offering of the Company's common stock with
aggregate proceeds of at least $5,000,000.
 
  In conjunction with the issuance of certain convertible notes in fiscal
1993, the Company issued, at nominal value, warrants to purchase 361,002
shares of the Company's common stock for $1.50 per share. The warrants expire
the earlier of 10 years from the date of issue or five years after the
completion of an initial public offering of the Company's common stock, with
aggregate proceeds of at least $5,000,000.
 
(7) COMMON STOCK
 
 (A) Stock Options
 
  The Company's 1989 Combination Stock Option Plan (the Plan) provides for the
grant to key employees incentive stock options to purchase shares of the
Company's common stock at a price not less than fair market value as
determined by the Board of Directors, or nonqualified options at a price
specified by the Board of Directors. As of September 30, 1996, the Company has
authorized 1,250,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the Plan, of
which options to purchase 1,186,200 shares have been granted and 225,520
shares have been exercised. These options generally vest over a five-year
period. A summary of stock option activity is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        SHARES   PRICE PER SHARE
                                                       --------  ---------------
     <S>                                               <C>       <C>
     Outstanding, September 30, 1993..................  642,500    $.10-- $.50
       Granted........................................  177,750     .50-- 1.00
       Exercised...................................... (101,850)    .10--  .50
       Terminated.....................................   (6,150)    .10--  .50
                                                       --------    -----------
     Outstanding, September 30, 1994..................  712,250     .10-- 1.00
       Granted........................................  119,250       1.00
       Exercised......................................  (26,750)    .10--  .50
       Terminated.....................................  (47,330)    .50-- 1.00
                                                       --------    -----------
     Outstanding, September 30, 1995..................  757,420     .10-- 1.00
       Granted........................................  157,750    1.00-- 3.00
       Exercised......................................  (51,170)    .10-- 1.00
       Terminated.....................................   (7,100)    .50-- 1.00
                                                       --------    -----------
     Outstanding, September 30, 1996..................  856,900    $.10--$3.00
                                                       ========    ===========
     Exercisable, September 30, 1996..................  487,350    $.10--$1.00
                                                       ========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
  In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. SFAS No. 123 requires the
measurement of the fair value of stock options or warrants to be included in
the statement of operations or disclosed in the notes to financial statements.
The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 123 in fiscal 1997 and has
determined that it will continue to account for stock-based compensation for
employees under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and elect the
disclosure-only alternative under SFAS No. 123. The Company will be required
to disclose the pro forma net income or loss and per share amounts in the
notes to financial statements using the fair-value-based method beginning in
the year ending September 30, 1997, with comparable disclosures for the year
ended September 30, 1996. The Company has not determined the impact of these
pro forma adjustments. Subsequent to September 30, 1996, the Company granted
options to purchase 23,700 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$9.50 per share.
 
 
                                     F-13
<PAGE>
 
                   VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

  On October 25, 1996, the Company approved the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan
(the Equity Plan) and the 1996 Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan (the
Director Plan). Under the Equity Plan and the Director Plan, the Company is
authorized to grant options to purchase 750,000 shares and 125,000 shares,
respectively, of the Company's common stock.
 
 (B) Issuance of Common Stock
   
  In July 1996, the Company issued 15,000 shares of common stock to BAA at no
cost in lieu of fees on certain sales of the Company's products for which BAA
provided substantial assistance through access to BAA's facilities and liaison
activities. The Company has recorded a $45,000 charge to selling and marketing
expenses for the issuance of these shares.     
 
 (C) Authorized Common Stock
 
  On September 26, 1996, the Company increased the number of authorized shares
of common stock to 10,000,000. On October 25, 1996, the Company approved the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation which includes an increase in the number
of authorized shares of common stock to 30,000,000. The Restated Certificate
of Incorporation will be filed upon the closing of the initial public offering
contemplated herein.
 
(8) RESERVED COMMON STOCK
 
  The Company has reserved the following number of common shares as of
September 30, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
     <S>                                                               <C>
     Conversion of Series B convertible preferred stock............... 2,500,000
     Conversion of Series D convertible preferred stock............... 2,545,850
     Exercise of stock purchase warrants..............................   403,669
     Exercise of stock options........................................ 1,024,480
                                                                       ---------
                                                                       6,473,999
                                                                       =========
</TABLE>
 
(9) GEOGRAPHICAL SALES DATA
 
  Export sales as a percentage of total sales are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                     1994      1995      1996
                                                   --------  --------  --------
<S>                                                <C>       <C>       <C>
Europe............................................     92.7%     90.6%     95.0%
Other.............................................      4.6       --        0.4
                                                   --------  --------  --------
  Total...........................................     97.3%     90.6%     95.4%
                                                   ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
Substantially all of the Company's assets are located in the United States.
 
(10) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
 (A) Management Services Agreement
 
  The Company has an agreement with Hologic, Inc. (Hologic), an affiliated
company, whereby Hologic provides management, administrative and support
services. In addition, the Company subleased its facilities from Hologic under
a sublease agreement, which was terminated in February 1996, for approximately
$15,000 per month. The Company paid Hologic for all direct costs incurred, as
well as a portion of Hologic's overhead costs, as defined, representing a pro
rata portion of costs attributable to the Company. Expenses charged to
operations under these agreements were approximately $544,000, $530,000 and
$325,000 in fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. The Company also made
purchases of approximately $229,000 and $210,000 from Hologic in fiscal 1994
and 1995, respectively. The Company had no purchases from Hologic in 1996.
Approximately $463,000 and $34,000 had not been paid as of September 30, 1995
and 1996, respectively, under the management services agreement.
 
                                     F-14
<PAGE>
 
                   VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 (B) License and Technology Agreement
 
  The Company has an agreement with Hologic whereby the Company has a
perpetual, exclusive, worldwide license to utilize certain of Hologic's
technology and patents for the purpose of developing the Company's X-ray
screening security systems for explosives, drugs, currency and other
contraband (the Exclusive License). In September 1996, this license was
amended to grant the Company a nonexclusive license to utilize these patents
and technology for certain new product development for other applications (the
Nonexclusive License). Royalty payments to Hologic under the Exclusive License
are 5% of revenues, as defined, on the first $50 million in sales; thereafter,
payments are 3% on sales up to $200 million, with no royalty payments on
aggregate revenues in excess of $200 million. Royalty payments under the
Nonexclusive License are 3% on sales up to $200 million, with no royalty
payments on aggregate revenues in excess of $200 million. The agreement
terminates by mutual agreement of the two parties or upon certain other
defined circumstances. During fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996, the Company incurred
royalty expenses under the Exclusive License of approximately $688,000,
$719,000 and $775,000, respectively, of which approximately $351,000 and
$624,000 had not been paid as of September 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
The Company has not incurred any royalty expenses under the Nonexclusive
License.
 
(11) PROFIT-SHARING 401(K) PLAN
 
  The Company has a qualified profit-sharing plan covering substantially all
of its employees. Contributions to the plan are at the discretion of the
Company's Board of Directors. The Company has recorded approximately $63,000,
$65,000 and $65,000 as a provision for the profit-sharing contribution for
fiscal 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
(12) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
 (A) Operating Leases
 
  In March 1996, the Company moved into its new operating facility. The
Company is renting the facility under an operating lease which expires in
February 2001. The Company's future minimum lease payments under all operating
leases as of September 30, 1996 are approximately as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            YEAR                                 AMOUNT
            ----                               ----------
            <S>                                <C>
            1997.............................. $  389,000
            1998..............................    389,000
            1999..............................    389,000
            2000..............................    389,000
            2001..............................    162,000
                                               ----------
                                               $1,718,000
                                               ==========
</TABLE>
 
  Rent expense charged to operations for the years ended September 30, 1994,
1995 and the first five months of fiscal 1996 was approximately $15,000 per
month as a part of the management services agreement with Hologic (see Note
10(A)). Rent expense charged to operations since the Company moved operating
facilities through September 30, 1996 was approximately $227,000.
 
 (B) Capital Leases
 
  The Company leases certain equipment under capital leases. The leases expire
through June 1997, and the interest rates range from 9.4% to 12.6%. Total
remaining payments, including interest, are approximately $42,000.
 
                                     F-15
<PAGE>
 
                   VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 (C) Patent Infringement Claims
 
  In October 1994, EG&G filed a patent infringement claim against the Company
in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts,
alleging that certain of the Company's products infringed a patent held by
EG&G. EG&G sought damages and expenses from the Company and sought to enjoin
the Company from selling products that allegedly infringed the EG&G patent. In
December 1994, the Company filed an answer denying any infringement and
counterclaims seeking to invalidate the EG&G patent and alleging that EG&G
infringed three patents owned or licensed by the Company. On November 6, 1996,
the Company and EG&G entered into a settlement agreement relating to this
litigation. Amounts incurred related to the claim, including the settlement,
are included in litigation expenses in the accompanying statements of
operations.
   
  In May 1996, in response to allegations made by AS&E to third parties that
the Company was infringing AS&E's patents, the Company filed an action in the
United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts seeking a
declaratory judgment that the Company is not infringing AS&E's patents. In
August 1996, AS&E filed an answer and counterclaim alleging that the Company
is infringing one or more of eight AS&E patents. In October 1996, the court
dismissed AS&E's infringement counterclaims, but has allowed AS&E to raise
more specific infringement counterclaims upon AS&E asserting factual support
for such claims. The Company does not believe that it is infringing any valid
patents of AS&E and is vigorously pursuing its position. However, there can be
no assurance that the Company will prevail in its litigation or reach a
favorable settlement with AS&E. Currently, management does not believe that it
is probable that future events related to this litigation will have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial statements.     
 
 (D) Patent License Agreement
 
  During fiscal 1996, the Company entered into a patent license agreement for
the exclusive license of certain explosives detection technology. Under this
agreement, the Company is required to pay aggregate royalties of up to
$1,000,000 based on net sales, as defined. During fiscal 1996, the Company
incurred approximately $28,000 of royalty expense related to this agreement.
 
(13) ACCRUED EXPENSES
 
  Accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consist of
the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                          ---------------------
                                                             1995       1996
                                                          ---------- ----------
     <S>                                                  <C>        <C>
     Payroll and payroll related......................... $  454,197 $  513,967
     Accrued warranty....................................    773,000    773,000
     Accrued royalties...................................    350,948    651,424
     Accrued legal.......................................     61,188  1,291,877
     Other...............................................    637,550    202,646
                                                          ---------- ----------
                                                          $2,276,883 $3,432,914
                                                          ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-16
<PAGE>
 
[Three photographs of installations of the Company's systems at various 
airports.]

Caption: Vivid Systems installed at BAA Airports. 




<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 No dealer, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations not contained in this Prospectus,
and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied
upon as having been authorized by the Company, or any U.S. Underwriter. This
Prospectus does not constitute an offer of any securities other than those to
which it relates or an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, to
any person in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be
unlawful. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder
shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that the information
contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date hereof.
 
                            -----------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                       <C>
Prospectus Summary.......................................................   3
Risk Factors.............................................................   6
Use of Proceeds..........................................................  11
Dividend Policy..........................................................  11
Dilution.................................................................  12
Capitalization...........................................................  13
Selected Consolidated Financial Data.....................................  14
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
 of Operations...........................................................  15
Business.................................................................  22
Management...............................................................  35
Certain Transactions.....................................................  41
Principal Stockholders...................................................  43
Description of Securities................................................  45
Certain United States Federal Tax Consequences to Non-United States
 Holders.................................................................  48
Shares Eligible for Future Sale..........................................  50
Underwriting.............................................................  52
Legal Matters............................................................  55
Experts..................................................................  55
Additional Information...................................................  55
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements............................... F-1
</TABLE>
 
                               -----------------
 
 Until      , 1996 (25 days after the date of this Prospectus), all dealers
effecting transactions in the registered securities, whether or not partici-
pating in this distribution, may be required to deliver a Prospectus. This is
in addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus when acting
as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               2,000,000 SHARES
 
                      TECHNOLOGIES
                      INCORPORATED
  LOGO
 
                                 COMMON STOCK
 
                               -----------------
 
                                  PROSPECTUS
                                       , 1996
 
                               -----------------
 
 
                                Lehman Brothers
 
                                Cowen & Company
 
                            Needham & Company, Inc.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
  The costs of issuance and distribution which will be borne by the Registrant
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
      <S>                                                              <C>
      SEC Registration Fee............................................ $ 11,709
      NASD Filing Fee.................................................    4,364
      Nasdaq National Market Listing Fee..............................   39,480
      Blue Sky Fees and Expenses......................................    6,000
      Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees...............................    3,500
      Accounting Fees and Expenses....................................  125,000*
      Legal Fees and Expenses.........................................  275,000*
      Printing and Engraving .........................................   85,000*
      Miscellaneous...................................................   87,447*
                                                                       --------
          Total....................................................... $650,000
                                                                       ========
</TABLE>
- --------
  *Estimated
 
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
  Article Ninth of the Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation eliminates
the personal liability of directors to the Registrant or its stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty to the full extent permitted by
Delaware law. Article VII of the Registrant's Bylaws provides that the
Registrant may indemnify its officers and directors to the full extent
permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. Section 145 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law authorizes a corporation to indemnify directors,
officers, employees and agents of the corporation if such party acted in good
faith in a manner he believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of
the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, as determined in
accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law. Section 145 further
provides that indemnification shall be provided if the party in question is
successful on the merits or otherwise. See "Management--Limitation of
Officers' and Directors' Liability; Indemnification Agreements" in Part I of
this Registration Statement for a description of indemnification agreements
the Registrant has entered into with its Directors. The effect of these
provisions and the indemnification agreements is to permit such
indemnification by the Registrant for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Registrant also expects to
obtain directors and officers liability insurance.
 
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
 
  The following information is furnished with regard to all securities issued
by the Registrant within the past three years which were not registered under
the Securities Act.
 
  (1) Pursuant to an agreement entered into on February 2, 1994 (the
"Conversion Agreement"), on February 3, 1994, the Registrant converted notes
with an aggregate outstanding balance, including principal and accrued and
unpaid interest, of $1,818,773 into an aggregate of 163,690 shares of Series C
Preferred Stock and an aggregate of 121,252 shares of Series D Preferred
Stock. In connection with this transaction, certain warrants that were issued
in 1992 were modified. The following sets forth the name, number of shares and
consideration paid by each recipient under the Conversion Agreement.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           NUMBER OF SHARES OF      NUMBER OF SHARES OF
          NAME           SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK SERIES D PREFERRED STOCK CONSIDERATION
          ----           ------------------------ ------------------------ -------------
<S>                      <C>                      <C>                      <C>
Burr, Egan, Deleage &
 Co. ...................          76,863                   56,937           $  854,031
Pioneer Capital
 Corporation............          25,621                   18,978              284,677
Beta Partners, Inc......          25,621                   18,978              284,677
Massachusetts Capital
 Resource Company.......          25,621                   18,978              284,677
Claflin Capital.........           9,964                    7,381              110,711
                                 -------                  -------           ----------
                                 163,690                  121,252           $1,818,773
</TABLE>
 
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
  (2) From October 1, 1993 through November 7, 1996, options to purchase a
total of 208,170 shares of Common Stock, granted under the Registrant's 1989
Combination Stock Option Plan were exercised at exercise prices ranging from
$0.10 to $1.00 per share, at an aggregate purchase price of $39,715.
   
  (3) In July 1996, the Company issued 15,000 shares of Common Stock to BAA
plc in consideration of BAA's agreement to forgo fees on certain sales of the
Registrant's products for which BAA provided substantial assistance through
access to BAA's facilities and liaison activities.     
 
  To the extent that the foregoing transactions constituted "sales" within the
meaning of the Securities Act, the securities issued in such transactions were
not registered under the Securities Act, as amended, in reliance upon the
exemptions from registration set forth in Section 3(b) and 4(2) of the
Securities Act, relating to sales by an issuer not involving any public
offering, and in reliance upon Regulation S of the Securities Act relating to
sales by an issuer of securities outside the United States. None of the
foregoing transactions, either individually or in the aggregate, involved a
public offering.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
  (a) Exhibits
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                               DESCRIPTION
 -------                              -----------
 <C>     <S>
   1.01  Proposed form of U.S. Underwriting Agreement.
   1.02  Proposed form of International Underwriting Agreement.
  +2.01  Merger Agreement between the Registrant and the Registrant's
          Massachusetts predecessor.
  +3.01  Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.
  +3.02  By-laws of the Registrant.
  +3.03  Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.
  +4.01  Specimen Certificate for shares of the Registrant's Common Stock.
  +4.02  Description of Capital Stock (contained in the Certificate of
          Incorporation of the Registrant, filed as Exhibit 3.01).
   4.03  Description of Registration Rights (contained in Exhibits 10.05,
          10.11, 10.12 and 10.13).
  +5.01  Legal Opinion of Brown, Rudnick, Freed & Gesmer.
 +10.01  Contract for the Manufacture, Supply, Installation and Commissioning
          of Hold Baggage Screening Equipment between the Registrant of BAA
          plc.
 +10.02  Distribution and Development Agreement between the Registrant and
          Gilardoni S.p.A.
 +10.03  First Amended and Restated Line of Credit Loan and Security Agreement
          between the Registrant and BayBank, N.A. and corresponding Note of
          the Company in favor of BayBank, N.A.
 +10.04  Form of Warrant to purchase Common Stock issued to certain investors.
 +10.05  Warrant to purchase Common Stock issued to Dominion Fund II, L.P.
 +10.06  1989 Combination Stock Option Plan of the Registrant.
 +10.07  1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan of the Registrant.
 +10.08  1996 Equity Incentive Plan of the Registrant.
 +10.09  Facility lease between the Registrant and Cummings Properties
          Management, Inc.
 +10.10  Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors and officers of the
          Registrant.
 +10.11  Series A and Series B Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement.
 +10.12  Series C and Series D Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement.
 +10.13  Conversion Agreement between the Registrant and certain investors.
</TABLE>    
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                                DESCRIPTION
 -------                               -----------
 <C>     <S>
 +10.14  Amended Shareholder Agreement among the Registrant's Massachusetts
          predecessor, S. David Ellenbogen, Jay A. Stein and certain investors.
 +10.15  Management Services Agreement between the Registrant and Hologic, Inc.
 +10.16  License and Technology Agreement between the Registrant and Hologic,
          Inc., together with First Amendment to such License and Technology
          Agreement.
  10.17  Description of Bonus Plan.
 +11.01  Statement re: Earnings Per Share.
 +21.01  Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
 +23.01  Consent of Brown, Rudnick, Freed & Gesmer (contained in Exhibit 5.01).
  23.02  Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
 +24.01  Power of Attorney (contained on page II-4).
 +27.01  Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>    
- --------
  *To be filed by amendment.
   
  +Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement
   on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-14311) filed on October 17, 1996 or
   Amendment No. 1 to such Registration Statement filed on November 8, 1996
   and incorporated herein by reference.     
 
  (b) Financial Statement Schedules
 
  All schedules have been omitted because they are not required or because the
required information is given in the Consolidated Financial Statements or
Notes thereto.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
  (a) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under "Item 14--
Indemnification of Directors and Officers" above, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
  (b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the
Underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement
certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by
the Underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
 
  (c) The undersigned Registrant hereby further undertakes that:
 
    (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
  the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
  registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form
  of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or
  497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
  registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
    (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
  Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
  be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
  offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
  deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE
SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE
TOWN OF WOBURN, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, ON NOVEMBER 20, 1996.     
 
                                          Vivid Technologies, Inc.
 
                                                  /s/ S. David Ellenbogen
                                          By: _________________________________
                                              S. DAVID ELLENBOGEN, PRESIDENT
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS AMENDMENT
NO. 2 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS
IN THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.     
 
              SIGNATURE                        TITLE                 DATE
 
       /s/ S. David Ellenbogen         Principal Executive          
- -------------------------------------   Officer and              November 20,
         S. DAVID ELLENBOGEN            Director                  1996     
 
        /s/ William J. Frain           Principal Financial          
- -------------------------------------   and Accounting           November 20,
          WILLIAM J. FRAIN              Officer                   1996     
 
                  *                    Director                     
- -------------------------------------                            November 20,
            JAY A. STEIN                                          1996     
 
                  *                    Director                     
- -------------------------------------                            November 20,
         L. PAUL BREMER, III                                      1996     
 
                  *                    Director                     
- -------------------------------------                            November 20,
             FRANK KENNY                                          1996     
 
                  *                    Director                     
- -------------------------------------                            November 20,
            GLENN P. MUIR                                         1996     
 
                  *                    Director                     
- -------------------------------------                            November 20,
            GERALD SEGEL                                          1996     
 
      /s/ S. David Ellenbogen,
*By: _______________________________,
 S. DAVID ELLENBOGEN, ATTORNEY-IN-
               FACT
 
                                     II-4

<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION                             PAGE
 -------                           -----------                             ----
 <C>     <S>                                                               <C>
   1.01  Proposed form of U.S. Underwriting Agreement...................
   1.02  Proposed form of International Underwriting Agreement..........
  +2.01  Merger Agreement between the Registrant and the Registrant's
          Massachusetts predecessor.....................................
  +3.01  Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.................
  +3.02  By-laws of the Registrant......................................
  +3.03  Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
          Registrant....................................................
  +4.01  Specimen Certificate for shares of the Registrant's Common
          Stock.........................................................
  +4.02  Description of Capital Stock (contained in the Certificate of
          Incorporation of the Registrant, filed as Exhibit 3.01).......
   4.03  Description of Registration Rights (contained in Exhibits
          10.05, 10.11, 10.12 and 10.13)................................
  +5.01  Legal Opinion of Brown, Rudnick, Freed & Gesmer................
 +10.01  Contract for the Manufacture, Supply, Installation and
          Commissioning of Hold Baggage Screening Equipment between the
          Registrant of BAA plc. .......................................
 +10.02  Distribution and Development Agreement between the Registrant
          and Gilardoni S.p.A. .........................................
 +10.03  First Amended and Restated Line of Credit Loan and Security
          Agreement between the Registrant and BayBank, N.A. and
          corresponding Note of the Company in favor of BayBank, N.A....
 +10.04  Form of Warrant to purchase Common Stock issued to certain
          investors.....................................................
 +10.05  Warrant to purchase Common Stock issued to Dominion Fund II,
          L.P. .........................................................
 +10.06  1989 Combination Stock Option Plan of the Registrant...........
 +10.07  1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan of the
          Registrant....................................................
 +10.08  1996 Equity Incentive Plan of the Registrant...................
 +10.09  Facility lease between the Registrant and Cummings Properties
          Management, Inc. .............................................
 +10.10  Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors and officers of
          the Registrant................................................
 +10.11  Series A and Series B Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement.......
 +10.12  Series C and Series D Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement.......
 +10.13  Conversion Agreement between the Registrant and certain
          investors.....................................................
 +10.14  Amended Shareholder Agreement among the Registrant's
          Massachusetts predecessor, S. David Ellenbogen, Jay A. Stein
          and certain investors.........................................
 +10.15  Management Services Agreement between the Registrant and
          Hologic, Inc. ................................................
 +10.16  License and Technology Agreement between the Registrant and
          Hologic, Inc., together with First Amendment to such License
          and Technology Agreement .....................................
  10.17  Description of Bonus Plan......................................
 +11.01  Statement re: Earnings Per Share...............................
 +21.01  Subsidiaries of the Registrant.................................
 +23.01  Consent of Brown, Rudnick, Freed & Gesmer (contained in Exhibit
          5.01).........................................................
  23.02  Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.................................
 +24.01  Power of Attorney (contained on page II-4).....................
 +27.01  Financial Data Schedule........................................
</TABLE>    
- --------
  *To be filed by amendment.
   
  +Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement
   on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-14311) filed on October 17, 1996 or
   Amendment No. 1 to such Registration Statement filed on November 8, 1996
   and incorporated herein by reference.     

<PAGE>
 
                                                             TH&T DRAFT 11/18/96
                                                             -------------------

                                2,000,000 SHARES

                            VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                                  COMMON STOCK
                          U.S. UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                          ---------------------------

                                                            ______ ___,1996

LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
COWEN & COMPANY
NEEDHAM & COMPANY, INC.
As Representatives of the several
 U.S. Underwriters named in Schedule 1,
c/o Lehman Brothers Inc.
Three World Financial Center
New York, New York 10285

Dear Sirs:

    
          Vivid Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
proposes to sell an aggregate of __________ shares (the "Firm Stock") of the
Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock").  In
addition, the Company proposes to grant to the Underwriters named in Schedule 1
hereto (the "Underwriters") an option to purchase up to an additional _________
shares of the Common Stock on the terms and for the purposes set forth in
Section 2 (the "Option Stock").  The Firm Stock and the Option Stock, if
purchased, are hereinafter collectively called the "Stock." This is to confirm
the agreement concerning the purchase of the Stock from the Company by the
Underwriters.         

          It is understood by all parties that the Company is concurrently
entering into an agreement dated the date hereof (the "International
Underwriting Agreement") providing for the sale by the Company of an aggregate
of ________ shares of Common Stock (including the over-allotment option
thereunder) (the "International Stock") through arrangements with certain
underwriters outside the United States (the "International Managers"), for whom
Lehman Brothers International (Europe), Cowen & Company and Needham & Company,
Inc. are acting as lead managers (the "Lead Managers").  The U.S. Underwriters
and the International Managers simultaneously are entering into an agreement
between the U.S. and International underwriting syndicates (the "Agreement
Between U.S. Underwriters and International Managers") which provides for, among
other things, the transfer of shares of Common Stock between the two syndicates.
Two forms of prospectus are to be used in connection with the offer and sale of
shares of Common Stock contemplated by the foregoing, one relating to the Stock
and the other relating to the International Stock.  The latter form of
prospectus will be identical to the former      

<PAGE>
 
except for certain substitute pages as included in the registration statement
and amendments thereto referred to below. Except as used in the first paragraph
hereof and in Sections 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10 herein, and except as the context may
otherwise require, references herein to the Stock shall include all the shares
of the Common Stock which may be sold pursuant to either this Agreement or the
International Underwriting Agreement, and references herein to any prospectus
whether in preliminary or final form, and whether as amended or supplemented,
shall include both the U.S. and the international versions thereof.

          1.  Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Company. The
Company represents, warrants and agrees that:

    
          (a) Each of the registration statement on Form S-1, and any
     registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Rules and
     Regulations (as hereinafter defined), and any amendments thereto, with
     respect to the Stock has (i) been prepared by the Company in conformity
     with the requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the
     "Securities Act") and the rules and regulations (the  "Rule and
     Regulations") of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the
     "Commission") thereunder, (ii) been filed with the Commission under the
     Securities Act and (iii) become effective under the Securities Act.  Copies
     of each of such registration statement, including any registration
     statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b), and the amendments thereto have
     been delivered by the Company to you as the representatives (the
     "Representatives") of the Underwriters and such copies, to the extent
     applicable, were identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof
     filed with the Commission pursuant to the Commission's Electronic Data
     Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System ("EDGAR"), except to the extent
     permitted by Regulation S-T.  As used in this Agreement, "Effective Time"
     means the date and the time as of which such registration statement, or the
     most recent post-effective amendment thereto, if any, was declared
     effective by the Commission; "Effective Date" means the date of the
     Effective Time; "Preliminary Prospectus" means each prospectus included in
     such registration statement, or amendments thereof, before it became
     effective under the Securities Act and any prospectus filed with the
     Commission by the Company with the consent of the Representatives pursuant
     to Rule 424(a) of the Rules and Regulations; "Registration Statement" means
     such registration statement, as amended at the Effective Time, including
     all information contained in the final prospectus filed with the Commission
     pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations in accordance with
     Section 5(a) hereof and deemed to be a part of the registration statement
     as of the Effective Time pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A of the
     Rules and Regulations; "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement" means any
     registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Rules and
     Regulations, and after such filing, the term "Registration Statement" shall
     include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement; and "Prospectus" means such
     final prospectus, as first filed with the Commission pursuant to paragraph
     (1) or (4) of Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations.  The Commission has
     not issued any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary
     Prospectus.  For purposes of this Agreement, all references to any
     Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b)
     Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement to
          

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     any of the foregoing, shall be deemed to include the respective copies
     thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR.

    
          (b) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration
     Statement, conforms, and the Prospectus and any further amendments or
     supplements to the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
     Registration Statement, or the Prospectus, when they become effective or
     are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform in all
     material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules
     and Regulations and do not and will not, (i) as of the applicable Effective
     Date (as to the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto) contain
     an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
     required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
     not misleading and (ii) as of the applicable filing date (as to the
     Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto) contain an untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in
     order to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which
     they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty
     is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Registration
     Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or the
     Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
     furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of any
     Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein.          

    
          (c) The Company and each of its subsidiaries has been duly
     incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing
     under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, is duly qualified to
     do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each
     jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of
     its business requires such qualification, and has all power and authority
     necessary to own or hold its properties and to conduct the business in
     which it is engaged, except to the extent that the failure to be so
     qualified or in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on
     the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; and none of the
     subsidiaries is a "significant subsidiary," as such term is defined in Rule
     405 of the Rules and Regulations .           

    
          (d) The Company has an authorized and outstanding capitalization as
     set forth in the Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock
     of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully
     paid and non-assessable and conform in all material respects to the
     description thereof contained in the Prospectus.  Upon redemption of the
     Company's Series A and Series C Preferred Stock and conversion of its
     Series B and Series D Preferred Stock in connection with the closing of the
     Offering, no shares of capital stock of the Company will be outstanding
     other than the Common Stock; and all of the issued shares of capital stock
     of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and
     issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned directly or
     indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,
     equities or claims.           

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
    
          (e) The unissued shares of the Stock to be issued and sold by the
     Company to the U.S. Underwriters hereunder and the International Managers
     under the International Underwriting Agreement have been duly and validly
     authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as
     provided herein and the International Underwriting Agreement, will be duly
     and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; and the Stock will
     conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in
     the Prospectus.          

          (f) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
     the Company.

    
          (g) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
     International Underwriting Agreement by the Company and the consummation of
     the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not conflict with or
     result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or
     constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
     agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of
     its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, nor will such actions result
     in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company
     or any of its subsidiaries or any statute or any order, rule or regulation
     of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets;
     and except for the registration of the Stock under the Securities Act and
     such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications
     as may be required under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
     as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and applicable state or foreign securities
     or Blue Sky laws and clearance by the Nasdaq National Market and the
     National Association of Securities Dealers Inc. in connection with the
     purchase and distribution of the Stock by the U.S. Underwriters and the
     International Managers, no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or
     filing or registration with, any such court or governmental agency or body
     is required for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
     or the International Underwriting Agreement by the Company and the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.          

          (h) Except as described in the Prospectus, there are no contracts,
     agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting
     such person the right (other than rights which have been waived or
     satisfied) to require the Company to file a registration statement under
     the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company owned or
     to be owned by such person or to require the Company to include such
     securities in the securities registered pursuant to the Registration
     Statement or in any securities being registered pursuant to any other
     registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act.

    
          (i) Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Company has
     not sold or issued any shares of Common Stock during the six-month period
     

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     preceding the date of the Prospectus, including any sales pursuant to Rule
     144A under, or Regulations D or S of, the Securities Act, other than shares
     issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, stock options plans or other
     employee compensation plans or pursuant to outstanding options, rights or
     warrants.

    
          (j) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained,
     since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the
     Prospectus, any material loss or interference with its business from fire,
     explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or
     from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree,
     otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus; and, other
     than as set forth in or contemplated by the Prospectus, since such date,
     there has not been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries (except pursuant to options granted or
     exercised under the Company's option and equity incentive plans, and the
     normal scheduled payments of long-term debt) or any material adverse
     change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change,
     in or affecting the general affairs, management, financial position,
     stockholders' equity or results of operations of the Company and its
     subsidiaries taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated
     in the Prospectus.            

          (k) The financial statements (including the related notes and
     supporting schedules) filed as part of the Registration Statement or
     included in the Prospectus present fairly the financial condition and
     results of operations of the entities purported to be shown thereby, at the
     dates and for the periods indicated and have been prepared in conformity
     with generally accepted accounting principles (except in the case of
     unaudited interim financial statements for normal recurring adjustments)
     applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved, except as
     otherwise stated therein.

    
          (l) Arthur Andersen LLP, who have certified certain financial
     statements of the Company, whose report appears in the Prospectus and who
     have delivered the initial letters referred to in Section 7(g) hereof, are
     independent public accountants as required by the Securities Act and the
     Rules and Regulations.          

    
          (m) The Company together with its subsidiaries have good and
     marketable title to all real and personal property owned by them, in each
     case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as
     are described in the Prospectus or such as do not materially affect the
     value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made
     and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its
     subsidiaries taken as a whole or are not material to the business of the
     Company and its subsidiaries taken as whole; and, except as set forth or
     contemplated in the Prospectus, all real property and buildings held under
     lease by the Company and its subsidiaries are held by it under valid,
     subsisting and enforceable leases, with such exceptions as are not material
     and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such
     property and buildings by the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
     whole.           

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
    
          (n) The Company maintains aviation product liability insurance with an
     aggregate coverage limit of $150 million per year, subject to certain
     deductibles and exclusions.  The Company together with its subsidiaries
     carry or are covered by, such other insurance in such amounts and covering
     such risks as is adequate for the conduct of their respective businesses
     and the value of their properties and as is customary for companies engaged
     in similar businesses in similar industries.          

    
          (o) Except as disclosed in or specifically contemplated by the
     Prospectus, (i) the Company or its subsidiaries own or possess adequate
     rights to use all trademarks, trademark applications, trade names, service
     marks, patents, patent applications, patent rights, copyrights, inventions,
     trade secrets, know how, licenses, approvals and governmental
     authorizations that are necessary to conduct their business as now
     conducted or presently proposed to be conducted as described in the
     Registration Statement and Prospectus; (ii) the expiration of any
     trademarks, trademark applications, trade names, service marks, patents,
     patent applications, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, trade secrets,
     know how, licenses, approvals and governmental authorizations would not
     have a material adverse effect on the earnings, business, management,
     properties, assets, rights, operations, condition (financial or otherwise)
     or prospects of the Company or its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (iii) to
     the knowledge of the Company, none of the patents owned or licensed by the
     Company are unenforceable or invalid; (iv) the Company has duly and
     properly filed or caused to be filed with the United States Patent and
     Trademark Office (the "PTO") and applicable foreign and international
     patent authorities all patent applications described or referred to in the
     Prospectus; (v) the Company has no knowledge of any facts which would
     preclude it from having clear title to its patent applications referenced
     in the Prospectus; (vi) except as described in the Prospectus, the Company
     has no knowledge of, and has received no notice of, any material
     infringement or misappropriation by the Company of any trademark, trademark
     application, trade name, service mark, patent, patent application, patent
     right, mask work, copyright, invention, know how, license, trade secret or
     other similar rights of others; (vii) the Company has not terminated or
     breached and is not in violation of any agreement covering its intellectual
     property rights which breach or violation is reasonably likely to have a
     material adverse effect on the earnings, business, management, properties,
     assets, rights, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects
     of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as whole; and (viii) to the
     knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries, the conduct of their
     respective businesses will not conflict with, and, except as described in
     the Prospectus neither the Company nor its subsidiaries have received any
     notice of any material claim of conflict with, any rights of third parties
     to any of the intellectual property of the Company or its subsidiaries.   
     

          (p) Except as described in the Prospectus, there are no legal or
     governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries is a party or of which any property or assets of the Company
     or any of its subsidiaries is the subject

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
    
     which, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
     is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the financial
     position, stockholders' equity, results of operations, business or
     prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; and to the
     Company's knowledge, no such material proceedings are threatened or
     contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others.        

          (q) There are no contracts or other documents which are required to be
     described in the Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the Registration
     Statement by the Securities Act or by the Rules and Regulations which have
     not been described in the Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the
     Registration Statement or incorporated therein by reference as permitted by
     the Rules and Regulations.

          (r) No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the
     Company on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders,
     customers or suppliers of the Company on the other hand, which is required
     to be described in the Prospectus which is not so described.

    
          (s) No labor disturbance by the employees of the Company exists or, to
     the knowledge of the Company, is imminent which is reasonably likely to
     have a material adverse effect on the financial position, stockholders'
     equity, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its
     subsidiaries taken as a whole.        

          (t) The Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance in all material
     respects with all presently applicable provisions of the Employee
     Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the
     regulations and published interpretations thereunder ("ERISA"); no
     "reportable event" (as defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any
     "pension plan" (as defined in ERISA) for which the Company would have any
     liability; the Company has not incurred and does not expect to incur
     liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or
     withdrawal from, any "pension plan" or (ii) Sections 412 or 4971 of the
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including the regulations and
     published interpretations thereunder (the "Code"); and each "pension plan"
     for which the Company would have any liability that is intended to be
     qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all material
     respects and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act,
     which would cause the loss of such qualification.
 
          (u) The Company has filed all federal, state and local income and
     franchise tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof and has
     paid all taxes due thereon, and no tax deficiency has been determined
     adversely to the Company which has had (nor does the Company have any
     knowledge of any tax deficiency which, if determined adversely to the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries, is reasonably likely to have) a
     material adverse effect on the financial position, stockholders' equity,
     results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its
     subsidiaries taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth in the
     Prospectus. 

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
    
          (v) Since the date as of which information is given in the Prospectus
     through the date hereof, and except as may otherwise be disclosed in the
     Prospectus, the Company has not (i) issued or granted any securities, other
     than in connection with the issuance of stock options or shares of Common
     Stock upon the exercise of stock options, (ii) incurred any liability or
     obligation, direct or contingent, in either case that are material to the
     Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole other than liabilities and
     obligations which were incurred in the ordinary course of business, (iii)
     entered into any transaction that is material to the Company and its
     subsidiaries taken as a whole, that was not in the ordinary course of
     business or (iv) declared or paid any dividend on its capital stock.   
     

    
          (w)  The Company (i) makes and keeps accurate books and records and
     (ii) maintains internal accounting controls which provide reasonable
     assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with
     management's authorization, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to
     permit preparation of its financial statements and to maintain
     accountability for its assets, (C) access to its assets is permitted only
     in accordance with management's general or specific authorization and (D)
     the reported accountability for its assets is compared with existing assets
     at reasonable intervals.          

    
          (x) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries (i) is in
     violation of its charter or by-laws, (ii) is in default in any material
     respect, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or
     both, would constitute such a default (which default has not been waived),
     in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition
     contained in any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
     agreement or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by
     which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject or
     (iii) is in violation in any material respect of any law, ordinance,
     governmental rule, regulation or court decree to which it or its property
     or assets may be subject except, in each case above, as is not reasonably
     likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
     subsidiaries taken as a whole.         

          (y) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director,
     officer, agent, employee or other person associated with or acting on
     behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, has used any corporate
     funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful
     expense relating to political activity; made any direct or indirect
     unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee
     from corporate funds; violated or is in violation of any provision of the
     Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977; or made any bribe, rebate, payoff,
     influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

          (z) There has been no storage, disposal, generation, manufacture,
     refinement, transportation, handling or treatment of toxic wastes, medical
     wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances by the Company or any of
     its subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their
     predecessors in interest) at, upon or from any of the property now or
     previously owned or leased by the Company or its subsidiaries in violation
     of any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree
     or permit or which

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
    
     would require remedial action under any applicable law, ordinance, rule,
     regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit, except for any violation or
     remedial action which would not have, or could not be reasonably likely to
     have, singularly or in the aggregate with all such violations and remedial
     actions, a material adverse effect on the general affairs, management,
     financial position, stockholders' equity or results of operations of the
     Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; there has been no material
     spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release of
     any kind onto such property or into the environment surrounding such
     property of any toxic wastes, medical wastes, solid wastes, hazardous
     wastes or hazardous substances due to or caused by the Company or any of
     its subsidiaries or with respect to which the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries have knowledge, except for any such spill, discharge, leak,
     emission, injection, escape, dumping or release which would not have or
     would not be reasonably likely to have, singularly or in the aggregate with
     all such spills, discharges, leaks, emissions, injections, escapes,
     dumpings and releases, a material adverse effect on the general affairs,
     management, financial position, stockholders' equity or results of
     operations of the Company and it subsidiaries taken as a whole; and the
     terms "hazardous wastes", "toxic wastes", "hazardous substances" and
     "medical wastes" shall have the meanings specified in any applicable local,
     state, federal and foreign laws or regulations with respect to
     environmental protection.           

          (aa)  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is, or will
     become as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
     this Agreement or the International Underwriting Agreement, an "investment
     company" within the meaning of such term under the Investment Company Act
     of 1940 and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

    
          2.   Purchase of the Stock by the U.S. Underwriters.  On the basis of
the representations and warranties contained in, and subject to the terms and
conditions of, this Agreement, the Company agrees to sell _________ shares of
the Firm Stock to the several U.S. Underwriters and each of the U.S.
Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase the number of shares
of the Firm Stock set forth opposite that U.S. Underwriter's name in Schedule 1
hereto. The respective purchase obligations of the U.S. Underwriters with
respect to the Firm Stock shall be rounded among the Underwriters to avoid
fractional shares, as the Representatives may determine.          

    
          In addition, the Company grants to the U.S. Underwriters an option to
purchase up to _________ shares of Option Stock.  Such option is granted solely
for the purpose of covering over-allotments in the sale of Firm Stock and is
exercisable as provided in Section 4 hereof.  Shares of Option Stock shall be
purchased severally for the account of the U.S. Underwriters in the same
proportion as the number of shares of Firm Stock set forth opposite         

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
    
the name of such U.S. Underwriters in Schedule 1 hereto represents of the total
number of shares of the Firm Stock to be purchased by all of the U.S.
Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement. The respective obligations of each U.S.
Underwriter with respect to the Option Stock shall be adjusted by the
Representatives so that commitments to purchase Option Stock shall be
proportionate to such U.S. Underwriter's initial commitment as provided in
Schedule 1. Such respective purchase obligations with respect to the Option
Stock shall be rounded among the U.S. Underwriters to avoid fractional shares,
as the Representatives may determine. The price of both the Firm Stock and any
Option Stock shall be $_____ per share.         

    
          3.   Offering of Stock by the U.S. Underwriters.  Upon authorization
by the Representatives of the release of the Firm Stock and the Option Stock, if
purchased, the several U.S. Underwriters propose to offer the Firm Stock and the
Option Stock, if purchased, for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in
the Prospectus.           

          Each U.S. Underwriter agrees that, except to the extent permitted by
the Agreement Between U.S. Underwriters and International Managers, it will not
offer or sell any of the Stock outside of the United States.

    
          4.   Delivery of and Payment for the Stock.  Delivery of and payment
for the Firm Stock shall be made at the office of Brown, Rudnick, Freed &
Gesmer, One Financial Center, Boston, MA  02111, at 10:00 A.M., Eastern time, on
the third full business day (unless otherwise required by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act) following the date of this
Agreement or at such other date or place as shall be determined by agreement
between the Representatives and the Company.  This date and time are sometimes
referred to as the "First Delivery Date."  On the First Delivery Date, the
Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered certificates representing the
Firm Stock to the Representatives for the account of each U.S. Underwriter
against payment to or upon the order of the Company of the purchase price by
wire transfer in same-day funds.  Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at
the time and place specified pursuant to this Agreement is a further condition
of the obligation of each U.S. Underwriter hereunder.  Upon delivery, the Firm
Stock shall be registered in such names and in such denominations as the
Representatives shall request in writing not less than two full business days
prior to the First Delivery Date.  For the purpose of expediting the checking
and packaging of the certificates for the Firm Stock, the Company shall make the
certificates representing the Firm Stock available for inspection by the
Representatives in New York, New York, not later than 2:00 P.M., Eastern time,
on the business day prior to the First Delivery Date.         


          At any time on or before the thirtieth day after the date of this
Agreement the option granted in Section 2 may be exercised by written notice
being given to the Company by the Representatives.  Such notice shall set forth
the aggregate number of shares of Option Stock as to which the option is being
exercised, the names in which the shares of Option Stock are to be registered,
the denominations in which the shares of Option Stock are to be issued and the
date and time, as determined by the Representatives, when the shares of Option
Stock are to be delivered; provided, however, that this date and time shall not
be earlier than the First Delivery Date nor earlier than the second business day
after the date on which the option shall have been     

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
exercised nor later than the third business day after the date on which the
option shall have been exercised. The date and time the shares of Option Stock
are delivered are sometimes referred to as the "Second Delivery Date" and the
First Delivery Date and the Second Delivery Date are sometimes each referred to
as a "Delivery Date").

    
          Delivery of and payment for the Option Stock shall be made at the
place specified in the first sentence of the first paragraph of this Section 4
(or at such other place as shall be determined by agreement between the
Representatives and the Company) at 10:00 A.M., Eastern time, on the Second
Delivery Date.  On the Second Delivery Date, the Company shall deliver or cause
to be delivered the certificates representing the Option Stock to the
Representatives for the account of each U.S. Underwriter against payment to or
upon the order of the Company of the purchase price by wire transfer in same-day
funds.  Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place
specified pursuant to this Agreement is a further condition of the obligation of
each U.S. Underwriter hereunder.  Upon delivery, the Option Stock shall be
registered in such names and in such denominations as the Representatives shall
request in the aforesaid written notice.  For the purpose of expediting the
checking and packaging of the certificates for the Option Stock, the Company
shall make the certificates representing the Option Stock available for
inspection by the Representatives in New York, New York, not later than 2:00
P.M., New York City time, on the business day prior to the Second Delivery Date.
     

          5.   Further Agreements of the Company.  The Company agrees:

          (a) To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by the
     Representatives and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under
     the Securities Act not later than Commission's close of business on the
     second business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement
     or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule 430A(a)(3)
     under the Securities Act; to make no further amendment or any supplement to
     the Registration Statement or to the Prospectus except as permitted herein;
     to advise the Representatives, promptly after it receives notice thereof,
     of the time when any amendment to the Registration Statement or any Rule
     462(b) Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any
     supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been filed and
     to furnish the Representatives with copies thereof; to advise the
     Representatives, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance
     by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or
     suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, of the
     suspension of the qualification of the Stock for offering or sale in any
     jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any
     such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or
     supplementing of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or for
     additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any stop order
     or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary
     Prospectus or the Prospectus or suspending any such qualification, to use
     promptly its best efforts to obtain its withdrawal;

          (b) To furnish promptly to each of the Representatives and to counsel
     for the U.S. Underwriters a signed copy of the Registration Statement,
     including any Rule 462(b)

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
     Registration Statement, as originally filed with the Commission, and each
     amendment thereto filed with the Commission, including all consents and
     exhibits filed therewith;

          (c) To deliver promptly to the Representatives such number of the
     following documents as the Representatives shall reasonably request: (i)
     conformed copies of the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
     Registration Statement, as originally filed with the Commission and each
     amendment thereto (in each case excluding exhibits other than this
     Agreement and the computation of per share earnings) and, (ii) each
     Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amended or supplemented
     Prospectus; and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required at any time
     after the Effective Time in connection with the offering or sale of the
     Stock or any other securities relating thereto and if at such time any
     events shall have occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then
     amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material
     fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
     statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
     made when such Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any
     other reason it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in
     order to comply with the Securities Act, to notify the Representatives and,
     upon their request, to prepare and furnish without charge to each U.S.
     Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many copies as the
     Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of an amended or
     supplemented Prospectus which will correct such statement or omission or
     effect such compliance.  To the extent applicable, the copies of the
     Registration Statement and each amendment thereto (including all exhibits
     filed therewith), including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, any
     Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus (in each case, as amended or
     supplemented) furnished to the U.S. Underwriters and counsel to the U.S.
     Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies
     thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent
     permitted by Regulation S-T;

          (d) To file promptly with the Commission any amendment to the
     Registration Statement, including any filing required under Rule 462(b), or
     the Prospectus or any supplement to the Prospectus that may, in the
     judgment of the Company or the Representatives, be required by the
     Securities Act or requested by the Commission;

          (e) Prior to filing with the Commission any amendment to the
     Registration Statement, including any filing required under Rule 462(b), or
     supplement to the Prospectus or any Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424 of the
     Rules and Regulations, to furnish a copy thereof to the Representatives and
     counsel for the U.S. Underwriters and obtain the consent of the
     Representatives to the filing;

          (f) As soon as practicable after the Effective Date, to make generally
     available to the Company's shareholders and to deliver to the
     Representatives an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries
     (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11 (a) of the Securities
     Act and the Rules and Regulations (including, at the option of the Company,
     Rule 158);

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
    
          (g) For a period of five years following the Effective Date, to
     furnish to those of the Representatives who may so request copies of all
     materials furnished by the Company to its shareholders and all public
     reports and all reports and financial statements furnished by the Company
     to the principal national securities exchange upon which the Common Stock
     may be listed pursuant to requirements of or agreements with such exchange
     or to the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act or any rule or regulation
     of the Commission thereunder; and to the extent applicable, such reports or
     documents shall be identical to the electronically transmitted copies
     thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent
     permitted by Regulation S-T;          

    
          (h) Promptly from time to time to take such action as the
     Representatives may reasonably request to qualify the Stock for offering
     and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the
     Representatives may request and to comply with such laws so as to permit
     the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as
     long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of the Stock;
     provided, however, that in no event shall the Company be obligated to
     qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified
     or to take any action which would subject it to general service of process
     in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject;         

    
          (i) For a period of 180 days from the date of the Prospectus, not to
     offer for sale, sell or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction
     which is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by
     any person of), directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock (other
     than the Stock and shares issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, stock
     option plans or other employee compensation plans existing on the date
     hereof or pursuant to currently outstanding options, warrants or rights),
     or sell or grant options, rights or warrants with respect to any shares of
     Common Stock (other than the grant of options pursuant to option plans
     existing on the date hereof), without the prior written consent of Lehman
     Brothers Inc.; and to cause each officer and director and each record owner
     of shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock of the Company other than
     those record owners listed in writing by the Company to Lehman Brothers,
     Inc. and approved by it prior to the First Delivery Date, to furnish to the
     Representatives, prior to the First Delivery Date, a letter or letters, in
     form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the U.S. Underwriters,
     pursuant to which each such person shall agree not to offer for sale, sell
     or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction which is designed
     to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person of),
     directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock for a period of 180 days
     from the date of the Prospectus, without the prior written consent of
     Lehman Brothers Inc.;         

          (j) Prior to the Effective Date, to apply for the listing of the Stock
     on the Nasdaq National Market and to use its best efforts to complete that
     listing, subject only to 

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
     official notice of issuance and evidence of satisfactory distribution,
     prior to the First Delivery Date;

          (k) Prior to filing with the Commission any reports on Form SR
     pursuant to Rule 463 of the Rules and Regulations, to furnish a copy
     thereof to the counsel for the U.S. Underwriters and receive and consider
     its comments thereon, and to deliver promptly to the Representatives a
     signed copy of each report on Form SR filed by it with the Commission;

          (l) To apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Stock being sold by
     the Company as set forth in the Prospectus; and

          (m) To take such steps as shall be necessary to ensure that neither
     the Company nor any subsidiary shall become an "investment company" within
     the meaning of such term under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the
     rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

    
          6.   Expenses.  The Company agrees to pay (a) the costs incident to
the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Stock and any taxes
payable in that connection; (b) the costs incident to the preparation, printing
and filing under the Securities Act of the Registration Statement and any
amendments and exhibits thereto; (c) the costs of distributing the Registration
Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto and any post-effective
amendments thereof (including, in each case, exhibits), any Preliminary
Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus,
all as provided in this Agreement; (d) the costs of printing and distributing
this Agreement, the Agreement Between U.S. Underwriters and International
Managers and the Supplemental Agreement Among U.S. Underwriters and any other
related documents in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery
of the Stock; (e) the costs of delivering and distributing the terms of
agreement relating to the organization of the domestic underwriting syndicate
and selling group to the members thereof by mail, telex or other means of
communications; (f) the filing fees incident to securing any required review by
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. of the terms of sale of the
Stock; (g) any applicable listing or other fees; (h) the fees and expenses of
qualifying the Stock under the securities laws of the several jurisdictions as
provided in Section 5(h) and of preparing, printing and distributing a Blue Sky
Memorandum (including related fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters);
(k) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations
of the Company under this Agreement; provided that, except as provided in this
Section 6 and in Section 11 the Underwriters shall pay their owns costs and
expenses, including the costs and expenses of their counsel, any transfer taxes
on the Stock which they may sell and the expenses of advertising any offering of
the Stock made by the Underwriters.          

          7.   Conditions of U.S. Underwriters' Obligations.  The respective
obligations of the U.S. Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy, when
made and on each Delivery Date, of the representations and warranties of the
Company contained herein, to the performance

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
by the Company of its obligations hereunder, and to each of the following
additional terms and conditions:

    
          (a) The Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission in
     accordance with Section 5(a); no stop order suspending the effectiveness of
     the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration
     Statement, or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for
     that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and
     any request of the Commission for inclusion of additional information in
     the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or otherwise shall have been
     complied with.           

          (b) No U.S. Underwriter or International Manager shall have discovered
     and disclosed to the Company on or prior to such Delivery Date that the
     Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or the
     Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto contains an untrue
     statement of a fact which, in the opinion of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault,
     LLP, counsel for the U.S. Underwriters, is material or omits to state a
     fact which, in the opinion of such counsel, is material and is required to
     be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not
     misleading.

          (c) All corporate proceedings and other legal matters incident to the
     authorization, form and validity of this Agreement, the International
     Underwriting Agreement, the Stock, the Registration Statement and the
     Prospectus, and all other legal matters relating to this Agreement and the
     transactions contemplated hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in all
     material respects to counsel for the U.S. Underwriters, and the Company
     shall have furnished to such counsel all documents and information that
     they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

          (d) Brown, Rudnick, Freed & Gesmer shall have furnished to the
     Representatives its written opinion, as counsel to the Company, addressed
     to the U.S. Underwriters and dated such Delivery Date, in form and
     substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect set
     forth in Annex A hereto;

    
          In rendering such opinion, such counsel may state that (i) its opinion
     is limited to matters governed by the Federal laws of the United States of
     America and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and that
     such counsel is not admitted in the State of Delaware; and (ii) in giving
     the opinion referred to in Section 7(d), state that it is relying upon
     opinions of foreign counsel for certain subsidiaries and, with respect to
     matters of fact, upon certificates of officers of the Company or its
     subsidiaries, provided that such counsel shall state that it believes that
     the U.S. Underwriters and it are justified in relying upon such opinions
     and certificates.  Such counsel shall also have furnished to the
     Representatives a written statement, addressed to the Underwriters and
     dated such Delivery Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the
     Representatives, to the effect that such counsel has participated in
     conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company,
     representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company, the
     Representatives and counsel for the Representatives at which the contents
     of the            

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
    
     Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and
     related matters were discussed and, although such counsel is not passing
     upon and does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness
     or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement, any
     462(b) Registration Statement and the Prospectuses (except for the
     statements made in the Prospectus under the captions "Description of
     Capital Stock," and "Shares Eligible For Future Sale" insofar as such
     statements relate to the Stock and concern legal matters) and based on the
     foregoing, no facts have come to the attention of such counsel which lead
     it to believe that the Registration Statement, as of the Effective Date,
     contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
     material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
     the statements therein not misleading, or that any 462(b) Registration
     Statement or the Prospectus contains any untrue statement of a material
     fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
     necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
     circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (it being
     understood that such counsel is not requested to and need not express any
     comment with respect to the financial statements and schedules and other
     financial and statistical data included in the Registration Statement or
     Prospectus).              

          (e)  Cooper & Dunham LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives
     its written opinion, as patent counsel to the Company, addressed to the
     U.S. Underwriters and dated such Delivery Date, in form and substance
     reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect set forth in
     Annex B hereto;

          (f) The Representatives shall have received from Testa, Hurwitz &
     Thibeault, LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions,
     dated such Delivery Date, with respect to the issuance and sale of the
     Stock, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and other related matters
     as the Representatives may reasonably require, and the Company shall have
     furnished to such counsel such documents as they reasonably request for the
     purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

          (g) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Representatives
     shall have received from Arthur Andersen a letter, in form and substance
     satisfactory to the Representatives, addressed to the Underwriters and
     dated the date hereof (i) confirming that they are independent public
     accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and are in compliance
     with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of
     accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, (ii)
     stating, as of the date hereof (or, with respect to matters involving
     changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified
     financial information is given in the Prospectus, as of a date not more
     than five days prior to the date hereof), the conclusions and findings of
     such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters
     ordinarily covered by accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters in
     connection with registered public offerings.

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
          (h) With respect to the letter of  Arthur Andersen LLP referred to in
     the preceding paragraph and delivered to the Representatives concurrently
     with the execution of this Agreement (the "initial letter"), the Company
     shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter (the "bring-down
     letter") of such accountants, addressed to the Underwriters and dated such
     Delivery Date (i) confirming that they are independent public accountants
     within the meaning of the Securities Act and are in compliance with the
     applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under
     Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, (ii) stating, as of the date
     of the bring-down letter (or, with respect to matters involving changes or
     developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial
     information is given in the Prospectus, as of a date not more than five
     days prior to the date of the bring-down letter), the conclusions and
     findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other
     matters covered by the initial letter and (iii) confirming in all material
     respects the conclusions and findings set forth in the initial letter.

          (i) The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a
     certificate, dated such Delivery Date, of its Chairman of the Board, its
     President or a Vice President and its chief financial officer stating that:

    
               (i) The representations, warranties and agreements of the Company
     in Section 1 are true and correct in all material respects as of such
     Delivery Date; the Company has complied in all material respects with all
     its agreements contained herein; and the conditions set forth in Sections
     7(a) and 7(l) have been fulfilled; and           

    
               (ii) They have carefully examined the Registration Statement and
     the Prospectus and, in their opinion (A) as of the Effective Date, the
     Registration Statement did not include any untrue statement of a material
     fact and did not omit to state a material fact required to be stated
     therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and the
     Prospectus did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
     to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in the
     light of circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (B)
     since the Effective Date no event has occurred which should have been set
     forth in a supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement or the
     Prospectus.            

    
          (j) (i) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall have
     sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements
     included in the Prospectus any loss or interference with its business from
     fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by
     insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order
     or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus or
     (ii) since such date there shall not have been any change in the capital
     stock or long-term debt of the Company (except pursuant to options granted
     or exercised under the Company's option and equity incentive plans, and the
     normal scheduled payment of long-term debt) or any change, or any
     development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the general
     affairs, management, financial position, stockholders' equity or results of
     operations of the Company, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in
     the Prospectus, the effect of            

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
     which, in any such case described in clause (i) or (ii), is, in the
     judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it
     impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the
     delivery of the Stock being delivered on such Delivery Date on the terms
     and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.

          (k) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement there
     shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) trading in securities
     generally on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or
     in the over-the-counter market, or trading in any securities of the Company
     on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market, shall have been
     suspended or minimum prices shall have been established on any such
     exchange or such market by the Commission, by such exchange or by any other
     regulatory body or governmental authority having jurisdiction, (ii) a
     banking moratorium shall have been declared by Federal or state
     authorities, (iii) the United States shall have become engaged in
     hostilities, there shall have been an escalation in hostilities involving
     the United States or there shall have been a declaration of a national
     emergency or war by the United States or (iv) there shall have occurred
     such a material adverse change in general economic, political or financial
     conditions (or the effect of international conditions on the financial
     markets in the United States shall be such) as to make it, in the judgment
     of a majority in interest of the several U.S. Underwriters, impracticable
     or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or delivery of the Stock
     being delivered on such Delivery Date on the terms and in the manner
     contemplated in the Prospectus.

          (l) The Nasdaq National Market shall have approved the Stock for
     listing, subject only to official notice of issuance and evidence of
     satisfactory distribution.

          (m) The closing under the International Underwriting Agreement shall
     have occurred concurrently with the closing hereunder on the First Delivery
     Date.

     All opinions, letters, evidence and certificates mentioned above or
elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the
provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to counsel for the U.S. Underwriters.

          8.   Indemnification and Contribution.

          (a) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter,
     its officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls any
     Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, from and against any
     loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in
     respect thereof (including, but not limited to, any loss, claim, damage,
     liability or action relating to purchases and sales of Stock), to which
     that Underwriter, officer, employee or controlling person may become
     subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as, such loss,
     claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, (i) any
     untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
     (A) in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the
     Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (B) in any blue sky
     application or other document prepared or executed by the Company (or based
     upon any written 

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
    
     information furnished by the Company) specifically for the purpose of
     qualifying any or all of the Stock under the securities laws of any state
     or other jurisdiction (any such application, document or information being
     hereinafter called a "Blue Sky Application"), (ii) the omission or alleged
     omission to state in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement
     or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any
     Blue Sky Application any material fact required to be stated therein or
     necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any act
     or failure to act or any alleged act or failure to act by any Underwriter
     in connection with, or relating in any manner to, the Stock or the offering
     contemplated hereby, and which is included as part of or referred to in any
     loss, claim, damage, liability or action arising out of or based upon
     matters covered by clause (i) or (ii) above (provided that the Company
     shall not be liable under this clause (iii) to the extent that it is
     determined in a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction that
     such loss, claim, damage, liability or action resulted directly from any
     such acts or failures to act undertaken or omitted to be taken by such U.S.
     Underwriter through its gross negligence or willful misconduct), and shall
     reimburse each U.S. Underwriter and each such officer, employee or
     controlling person promptly upon demand for any legal or other expenses
     reasonably incurred by that U.S. Underwriter, officer, employee or
     controlling person in connection with investigating or defending or
     preparing to defend against such loss, claim, damage, liability or action
     as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company shall
     not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim,
     damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, any untrue
     statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made
     in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the
     Prospectus, or in any such amendment or supplement, or in any Blue Sky
     Application, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
     concerning such U.S. Underwriter furnished to the Company through the
     Representatives by or on behalf of any U.S. Underwriter or any
     International Manager specifically for inclusion therein; provided,
     further, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to
     the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises
     out of, or is based upon any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
     statement or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in the
     Preliminary Prospectus which is corrected in the Prospectus if the person
     asserting any such loss, claim, damage or liability purchased Stock from
     such U.S. Underwriter but was not sent or given a copy of the Prospectus at
     or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such Stock to such
     person. The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to any liability
     which the Company may otherwise have to any U.S. Underwriter or to any
     officer, employee or controlling person of that Underwriter.          


          (b) Each U.S. Underwriter, severally and not jointly, shall indemnify
     and hold harmless the Company, its officers and employees, each of its
     directors, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the
     meaning of the Securities Act, from and against any loss, claim, damage or
     liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof, to which the
     Company or any such director, officer or controlling person may become
     subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss,
     claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, (i) any
     untrue statement or 

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
     alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained (A) in any
     Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or in
     any amendment or supplement thereto, or (B) in any Blue Sky Application or
     (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Preliminary
     Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any
     amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Blue Sky Application any
     material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
     statements therein not misleading, but in each case only to the extent that
     the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
     omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written
     information concerning such U.S. Underwriter furnished to the Company
     through the Representatives by or on behalf of that U.S. Underwriter
     specifically for inclusion therein, and shall reimburse the Company and any
     such director, officer or controlling person for any legal or other
     expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any such director, officer
     or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending or
     preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
     action as such expenses are incurred. The foregoing indemnity agreement is
     in addition to any liability which any U.S. Underwriter may otherwise have
     to the Company or any such director, officer, employee or controlling
     person.

          (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
     8 of notice of any claim or the commencement of any action, the identified
     party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
     indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in
     writing of the claim or the commencement of that action; provided, however,
     that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from
     any liability which it may have under this Section 8 except to the extent
     it has been materially prejudiced by such failure and, provided further,
     that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from
     any liability which it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than
     under this Section 8.  If any such claim or action shall be brought against
     an indemnified party, and it shall notify the indemnifying party thereof,
     the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the
     extent that it wishes, jointly with any other similarly notified
     indemnifying party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably
     satisfactory to the indemnified party.  After notice from the indemnifying
     party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of
     such claim or action, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to the
     indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses
     subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the
     defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided,
     however, that the Representatives shall have the right to employ counsel to
     represent jointly the Representatives and those other U.S. Underwriters and
     their respective officers, employees and controlling persons who may be
     subject to liability arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity
     may be sought by the U.S. Underwriters against the Company under this
     Section 8 if, in the reasonable judgment of the Representatives, it is
     advisable for the Representatives and those U.S. Underwriters, officers,
     employees and controlling persons to be jointly represented by separate
     counsel, and in that event the fees and expenses of such separate counsel
     shall be paid by the Company.  No indemnifying party shall (i) without, the
     prior written consent of the indemnified parties (which consent shall not
     be unreasonably

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
     withheld), settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment
     with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding
     in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder
     (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to
     such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent
     includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all
     liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding, or (ii) be
     liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its written
     consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled
     with the consent of the indemnifying party or if there be a final judgment
     of the plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying party agrees to
     indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss
     or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.

          (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 shall for
     any reason be unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an
     indemnified party under Section 8(a), 8(b) or 8(c) in respect of any loss,
     claim, damage or liability, or any action in respect thereof, referred to
     therein, then each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such
     indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
     indemnified party a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability, or
     action in respect thereof, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate
     to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand
     and the U.S. Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Stock or
     (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by
     applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only
     the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative
     fault of the Company on the one hand and the U.S. Underwriters on the other
     with respect to the statements or omissions which resulted in such loss,
     claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, as well as any
     other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by
     the Company on the one hand and the U.S. Underwriters on the other with
     respect to such offering shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as
     the total net proceeds from the offering of the Stock purchased under this
     Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, on the one
     hand, and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the
     U.S. Underwriters with respect to the shares of the Stock purchased under
     this Agreement, on the other hand, bear to the total gross proceeds from
     the offering of the shares of the Stock under this Agreement, in each case
     as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus.  The
     relative fault shall be determined by reference to whether the, untrue or
     alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission
     to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or
     the U.S. Underwriters, the intent of the parties and their relative
     knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
     statement or omission.  The Company and the U.S. Underwriters agree that it
     would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section
     were to be determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were
     treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of
     allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations
     referred to herein.  The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as
     a result of the loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect
     thereof, referred to above in this Section shall be deemed to include, for
     purposes of this Section 8(d), any legal or other expenses

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
    
     reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
     investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the
     provisions of this Section 8(d), no U.S. Underwriter shall be required to
     contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at
     which the Stock underwritten by it and distributed to the public was
     offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such U.S.
     Underwriter has otherwise paid or become liable, to pay by reason of any
     untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No
     person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
     Section 10(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from
     any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The
     U.S. Underwriters' obligations to contribute as provided in this Section
     8(e) are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations
     and not joint. Each party entitled to contribution agrees that, upon the
     service of a summons or other initial legal process upon it in any action
     instituted against it in respect of which contribution may be sought, it
     shall promptly give written notice of such service to the party or parties
     from whom contribution may be sought but the omission so to notify such
     party or parties of any such service shall not relieve the party from whom
     contribution may be sought for any obligation it may have hereunder or
     otherwise.           

          (e) The U.S. Underwriters severally confirm that the statements with
     respect to the public offering of the Stock by the U.S. Underwriters set
     forth on the cover page of, the legend concerning over-allotments on the
     inside front cover page and the concession and reallowance figures
     appearing under the caption "Underwriting" in, the Prospectus are correct
     and constitute the only information concerning such U.S. Underwriters
     furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the U.S.
     Underwriters or International Managers specifically for inclusion in the
     Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

          9.   Defaulting Underwriters.

          If, on either Delivery Date, any U.S. Underwriter defaults in the
performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the remaining non-
defaulting U.S. Underwriters shall be obligated to purchase the Stock which the
defaulting U.S. Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase on such Delivery Date
in the respective proportions which the number of shares of the Firm Stock set
opposite the name of each remaining non-defaulting U.S. Underwriter in Schedule
1 hereto bears to the total number of shares of the Firm Stock set opposite the
names of all the remaining non-defaulting U.S. Underwriters in Schedule I
hereto; provided, however, that the remaining non-defaulting U.S. Underwriters
shall not be obligated to purchase any of the Stock on such Delivery Date if the
total number of shares of the Stock which the defaulting U.S. Underwriter or
Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase on such date exceeds 9.09% of the
total number of shares of the Stock to be purchased on such Delivery Date, and
any remaining non-defaulting U.S. Underwriter shall not be obligated to purchase
more than 110% of the number of shares of the Stock which it agreed to purchase
on such Delivery Date pursuant to the terms of Section 2. If the foregoing
maximums are exceeded, the remaining non-defaulting U.S. Underwriters, or those
other underwriters satisfactory to the Representatives who so agree, shall have
the right, but shall not be obligated, to purchase, in such proportion as may be
agreed upon

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
among them, all the Stock to be purchased on such Delivery Date. If the
remaining U.S. Underwriters or other underwriters satisfactory to the
Representatives do not elect to purchase the shares which the defaulting U.S.
Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase on such Delivery Date,
this Agreement (or, with respect to the Second Delivery Date, the obligation of
the U.S. Underwriters to purchase, and of the Company to sell, the Option Stock)
shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting U.S.
Underwriter or the Company, except that the Company will continue to be liable
for the payment of expenses to the extent set forth in Sections 6 and 11. As
used in this Agreement, the term "Underwriter" includes, for all purposes of
this Agreement unless the context requires otherwise, any party not listed in
Schedule 1 hereto who, pursuant to this Section 9, purchases Firm Stock which a
defaulting U.S. Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase.

          Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any
liability it may have to the Company for damages caused by its default.  If
other underwriters are obligated or agree to purchase the Stock of a defaulting
or withdrawing Underwriter, either the Representatives or the Company may
postpone the Delivery Date for up to seven full business days in order to effect
any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the
Underwriters may be necessary in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or
in any other document or arrangement.

    
          10.  Termination.  The obligations of the U.S. Underwriters hereunder
may be terminated by the Representatives by notice given to and received by the
Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Firm Stock if, prior to that
time, any of the events described in Sections 7(k) or 7(l), shall have occurred
or the event described in Section 7(m) shall not have occurred or if the
Underwriters shall decline to purchase the Stock for any reason permitted under
this Agreement.          

    
          11.  Reimbursement of Underwriters' Expenses.  If  the Company shall
fail to tender the Stock for delivery to the U.S. Underwriters by reason of any
failure, refusal or inability on the part of the Company to perform any
agreement on its part to be performed, or because any other condition of the
U.S. Underwriters' obligations hereunder required to be fulfilled by the Company
is not fulfilled, the Company will reimburse the U.S. Underwriters for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel)
incurred by the U.S. Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the
proposed purchase of the Stock, and upon demand the Company shall pay the full
amount thereof to the Representatives.  If this Agreement is terminated pursuant
to Section 9 by reason of the default of one or more Underwriters, the Company
shall not be obligated to reimburse any defaulting Underwriter on account of
those expenses.          

          12.  Notices, etc.  All statements, requests, notices and agreements
hereunder shall be in writing, and:

          (a) if to the Underwriters, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex
     or facsimile transmission to Lehman Brothers Inc., Three World Financial
     Center, New York, New York 10285, Attention: Syndicate Department (Fax:
     212-526-6588), with a copy, in the

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
     case of any notice pursuant to Section 8(d), to the Director of Litigation,
     Office of the General Counsel, Lehman Brothers Inc., 3 World Financial
     Center, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10285, with a copy to Testa, Hurwitz &
     Thibeault, LLP, 125 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention:
     Edwin L. Miller, Jr., Esq.;

    
          (b) if to the Company, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
     facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the
     Registration Statement, Attention:  President (Fax:  617-939-3996), with a
     copy to Brown, Rudnick, Freed & Gesmer, One Financial Center, Boston,
     Massachusetts 02111, Attention:  Lawrence M. Levy, Esq.;          

provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 8(d)
shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such
Underwriter at its address set forth in its acceptance telex to the
Representatives, which address will be supplied to any other party hereto by the
Representatives upon request.  Any such statements, requests, notices or
agreements shall take effect at the time of receipt thereof.  The Company shall
be entitled to act and rely upon any request, consent, notice or agreement given
or made on behalf of the U.S. Underwriters by Lehman Brothers Inc. on behalf of
the Representatives.

          13.  Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the U.S. Underwriters, the Company
and their respective personal representatives and successors.  This Agreement
and the terms and provisions hereof are for the sole benefit of only those
persons, except that (A) the representations, warranties, indemnities and
agreements of the Company contained in this Agreement shall also be deemed to be
for the benefit of the person or persons, if any, who control any U.S.
Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and for the
benefit of each International Manager (and controlling persons thereof) who
offers or sells shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the
Agreement between U.S. Underwriters and International Managers and (B) the
indemnity agreement of the U.S. Underwriters contained in Section 8(c) of this
Agreement shall be deemed to be for the benefit of directors of the Company,
officers of the Company who have signed the Registration Statement and any
person controlling the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act.  Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to
give any person, other than the persons referred to in this Section 13, any
legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement
or any provision contained herein.

          14.  Survival.  The respective indemnities, representations,
warranties and agreements of the Company and the U.S. Underwriters contained in
this Agreement or made by or on behalf on them, respectively, pursuant to this
Agreement, shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Stock and shall
remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on
behalf of any of them or any person controlling any of them.

          15.  Definition of the Term "Business Day".  For purposes of this
Agreement, "business day" means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange,
Inc. is open for trading.

                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
          16.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of New York.

          17.  Jurisdiction.  The parties hereto each hereby irrevocably submits
to the jurisdiction of any New York state or federal court sitting in the city
of New York, New York County, in any action or proceeding arising out of or
relating to this Agreement and the parties hereto each hereby irrevocably agrees
that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and
determined in such New York state court or such federal court.  The parties
hereto also each hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it may
effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of
such action or proceeding.  The parties hereto each irrevocably consent to the
service of copies of the summons and complaint and any other process which may
be served in any such action or proceeding by certified mail, return receipt
requested, or by delivery of a copy of such process to the parties at its
address specified in Section 14 or by any other method permitted by law.  The
parties hereto each agree that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding
shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the
judgment or by any other manner provided by law.

          18.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts and, if executed in more than one counterpart, the executed
counterparts shall each be deemed to be an original but all such counterparts
shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

          19.  Headings.  The headings herein are inserted for convenience of
reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or
interpretation of, this Agreement.



                 [Remainder of Page Intentionally  Left Blank]

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
     If the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement among the Company and
the U.S. Underwriters, please indicate your acceptance in the space provided for
that purpose below.

                              Very truly yours,

                              VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                              By______________________
                                President


Accepted:

LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.
COWEN & COMPANY
NEEDHAM & COMPANY, INC.

For themselves and as
Representatives of the
several Underwriters
named in Schedule 1 hereto


By:  LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.

By_______________________
  Authorized Representative

                                      -26-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE 1
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
Underwriters                              Number of Shares
- -------------                             ----------------
<S>                                       <C>
 
Lehman Brothers Inc................
Cowen & Company....................
Needham & Company, Inc.............
 
 
Total..............................       _______________
</TABLE>

                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX A

              MATTERS TO BE COVERED IN OPINION OF COMPANY COUNSEL
              ---------------------------------------------------

          (i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as
     a corporation in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
     incorporation, is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as
     a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or
     leasing of property or the conduct of its business requires such
     qualification (except where non-qualification would not have a material and
     adverse affect on the business, properties, business prospects, condition
     (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Company and its
     subsidiaries taken as a whole (a "Material Adverse Effect")) and has the
     corporate power and authority necessary to own or hold its properties and
     conduct the businesses in which it is engaged; each of the U. S.
     subsidiaries of the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
     existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of its
     jurisdiction of incorporation; is duly qualified to do business and is in
     good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which its
     ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its business requires
     such qualification (except where non-qualification would not have a
     Material Adverse Effect) and has all corporate power and authority
     necessary to own or hold its properties and conduct the business in which
     it is engaged;

    
          (ii) The Company has capital stock authorized and outstanding as set
     forth in the Prospectus under the captions "Capitalization" and
     "Description of Capital Stock," and all of the issued and outstanding
     shares of capital stock of the Company (including the Stock delivered on
     the date of such opinion when issued in accordance with the terms of the
     Underwriting Agreement) have been duly authorized and validly issued, are
     fully paid and non-assessable and conform, in all material respects, to the
     description thereof contained in the Prospectus; the certificates for the
     Stock are in due and proper form under Delaware law; and all of the issued
     and outstanding shares of capital stock of each U. S. subsidiary of the
     Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
     non-assessable and are owned of record and, to the best of such counsel's
     knowledge, beneficially, directly or indirectly by the Company, to the best
     of such counsel's knowledge free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,
     equities or claims except as set forth in the notes to the Consolidated
     Financial Statements of the Company contained in the Prospectus;         

    
          (iii)   There are no preemptive or other rights to subscribe for or to
     purchase, nor any restriction upon the voting or transfer of, any shares of
     Common Stock pursuant to the Company's charter or by-laws or any agreement
     or other instrument known to such counsel, other than those which have been
     waived or which will terminate upon the redemption of the Company's Series
     A and Series C Preferred Stock and the closing of the Offering;          

                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
          (iv) To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than as set
     forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings
     pending or threatened against the Company which are required to be
     disclosed in the Prospectus;

    
          (v) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration
     Statement,  was declared effective under the Securities Act as of the date
     and time specified in such opinion, the Prospectus was filed with the
     Commission pursuant to the subparagraph of Rule 424(b) of the Rules and
     Regulations specified in such opinion on the date specified therein, and no
     stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has
     been issued and, to the knowledge of such counsel, no proceeding for that
     purpose is pending or threatened by the Commission;           

          (vi) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
     Registration Statement, and the Prospectus and any further amendments or
     supplements thereto (other than the financial statements and related
     schedules and notes therein and other financial and statistical data, as to
     which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as to form in all
     material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules
     and Regulations, and when they were filed with the Commission complied as
     to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities
     Act and the Rules and Regulations (other than the financial statements and
     related schedules and notes therein and other financial and statistical
     data, as to which such counsel need express no opinion);

          (vii)   The statements under the captions "Description of Capital
     Stock" and "Shares Eligible For Future Sale" in the Prospectus, insofar as
     such statements constitute a summary of documents referred to therein or
     matters of law, are accurate summaries in all material respects and fairly
     and correctly present the information called for with respect to such
     documents and matters;

          (viii)   To the best of such counsel's knowledge, there are no
     contracts or other documents which are required to be described in the
     Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement by the
     Securities Act or by the Rules and Regulations which have not been
     described or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement;

          (ix)  This Agreement  and the International Underwriting Agreement
     have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

          (x) The issue and sale of the Stock being delivered on the date of
     such opinion by the Company and the performance by the Company of its
     obligations under this Agreement  and the International Underwriting
     Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
     thereby do not conflict with or result in a material breach or violation of
     any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a material default under,
     any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement
     or instrument known to such counsel to which the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
     is bound or to which any of the

                                      -29-
<PAGE>
 
    
     property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject,
     nor will such actions result in any violation of the provisions of the
     charter or by-laws of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any statute
     or any order, rule or regulation known to such counsel of any court or
     governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of
     its subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets (it being understood
     that such counsel need express no opinion as to the antifraud provisions of
     any Federal or state securities laws or Blue Sky Laws); and, except for the
     registration of the Stock under the Securities Act and such consents,
     approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be
     required under the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations of the NASD, and
     applicable state or foreign securities laws in connection with the purchase
     and distribution of the Stock by the U.S. Underwriters and International
     Managers, no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing or
     registration with, any such court or governmental agency or body is
     required for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or
     the International Underwriting Agreement by the Company and the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and   
     

    
         (xi) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, except as disclosed in
     the Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings
     between the Company and any person granting such person the right (other
     than rights which have been waived or satisfied) to require the Company to
     file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any
     securities of the Company owned or to be owned by such person or to require
     the Company to include such securities in the securities registered
     pursuant to the Registration Statement or in any securities being
     registered pursuant to any other registration statement filed by the
     Company under the Securities Act.           

          Such counsel shall also have furnished to the Representatives a
     written statement, addressed to the U.S. Underwriters and the International
     Managers and dated as of the applicable Closing Date to the effect that (x)
     such counsel  has acted as counsel to the Company in connection with the
     preparation of the Registration Statement and in connection therewith has
     participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the
     Company, and representatives of the independent public accountants for the
     Company, at which conferences the contents of the Registration Statement
     and the Prospectus and related matters were discussed, and (y) based on the
     foregoing, no facts have come to the attention of such counsel which lead
     it to believe that the Registration Statement or Prospectus, as of the
     Effective Date, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
     omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
     in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or that any 462(b)
     Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as of its date and as of a
     Delivery Date, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
     state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
     to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
     they were made, not misleading (provided that such counsel need express no
     view with respect to the financial statements and the related schedules and
     notes and other financial or statistical data included therein).  The
     foregoing opinion and statement may be qualified by a statement to the
     effect that such counsel does not

                                      -30-
<PAGE>
 
     assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the
     statements contained in the Registration Statement, any 462(b) Registration
     Statement or the Prospectus except for the statements made in the
     Prospectus under the captions "Description of Capital Stock" and "Shares
     Eligible For Future Sale" insofar as such statements relate to the Stock
     and concern legal matters.

                                      -31-
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX B
                                    -------

       MATTERS TO BE COVERED IN OPINION OF PATENT COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

               (i) Schedules I and II to such opinion identify, as of
     [applicable Closing Date], all U.S. patents and U.S. patent applications
     known to such counsel and filed by the Company in which the Company
     currently has an interest.  As of [recent specified date], the Company was
     listed in the records of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the "PTO")
     as a holder of record of each of the patents and patent applications listed
     in Schedule I.  The patent rights to the patents and patent applications
     listed in Schedule I, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, have been
     assigned to the Company.  Based on a search of the documents of record in
     the PTO as of [recent specified date], a review of the Company records
     through that date, and a review of the certificate of an officer of the
     Company, such counsel has no knowledge of any facts which would preclude
     the Company from having clear title to the patents and patent applications
     listed in  Schedule I.  As of [recent specified date], the Company was a
     licensee of each of the patents and patent applications listed in Schedule
     II.  The patent rights to the patents and patent applications listed in
     Schedule II, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, have been assigned to
     the licensor of each such patent or patent application.  Based on a search
     of the documents of record in the PTO as of [recent specified date], such
     counsel has no knowledge of any facts which would preclude the Company from
     having valid license rights under the patents and patent applications
     listed in Schedule II.

               (ii) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, none of the claims
     of the patents set forth in Schedules I and II is invalid or unenforceable.
     Each of the applications set forth in Schedule[s] I [and II] is pending in
     the PTO, and such counsel is unaware of any defects in the prosecution of
     any such application that would irrevocably foreclose the grant of patent
     rights thereunder.

               (iii)  To the best of such counsel's knowledge, other than the
     actions pending in the United States District Court between the Company and
     EG&G (the "EG&G Action") and between the Company and AS&E (the "AS&E
     Action"), there is no pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding, or
     claim by others that the Company is infringing any patent.

               (iv) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, other than review
     of pending patent applications and the EG&G Action, there are no legal or
     governmental proceedings pending relating to the patents or applications
     set forth in Schedules I and II, other than review of pending applications
     for patent, including appeal proceedings, and to the best of such counsel's
     knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by
     governmental authorities or others.

               (v) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, other than the EG&G
     Action, there is no pending action, suit, proceeding or claim by others
     challenging the validity or enforceability of any claim of the patents set
     forth in Schedules I and II.  To 

                                      -32-
<PAGE>
 
     the best of such counsel's knowledge, there is no interference proceeding
     or public use proceeding with respect to any patent or patent application
     set forth in Schedules I or II.

               (vi) Based on a review of material including U.S. Patent No.
     4,366,382 and the Company's automated inspection systems as they have been
     and are currently made, no valid claim of U.S. Patent No. 4,366,382 is
     infringed by such systems.

               (vii)  Based on a review of material including U.S. Patent Nos.
     4,482,957; 4,511,799; 4,768,214; 4,799,247; 4,825,454; 4,893,015;
     5,253,283; and 5,313,511 and the Company's automated inspection systems as
     they have been and are made, no valid claim of such patents is infringed by
     such systems.

                                      -33-

<PAGE>
 
                                                             TH&T DRAFT 11/18/96
                                                             -------------------

                                2,000,000 SHARES

                            VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                                  COMMON STOCK
                      INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                      ------------------------------------

                                                            ______ ___,1996

LEHMAN BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE)
COWEN & COMPANY
NEEDHAM & COMPANY, INC.
As Lead Managers of the several
 International Managers named in Schedule 1,
c/o Lehman Brothers International (Europe)
1 Broadgate
London EC2M 7HA
England

Dear Sirs:

    
          Vivid Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
proposes to sell an aggregate of __________ shares (the "Firm Stock") of the
Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock").  In
addition, the Company proposes to grant to the International Managers named in
Schedule 1 hereto (the "International Managers") an option to purchase up to an
additional _________ shares of the Common Stock on the terms and for the
purposes set forth in Section 2 (the "Option Stock").  The Firm Stock and the
Option Stock, if purchased, are hereinafter collectively called the "Stock."
This is to confirm the agreement concerning the purchase of the Stock from the
Company by the International Managers.        

          It is understood by all parties that the Company is concurrently
entering into an agreement dated the date hereof (the "U.S. Underwriting
Agreement") providing for the sale by the Company of an aggregate of ________
shares of Common Stock (including the over-allotment option thereunder) (the
"U.S. Stock") through arrangements with certain underwriters in the United
States and Canada (the "U.S. Underwriters"), for whom Lehman Brothers Inc.,
Cowen & Company and Needham & Company, Inc. are acting as representatives (the
"Representatives").  The International Managers and the U.S. Underwriters
simultaneously are entering into an agreement between the U.S. and International
underwriting syndicates (the "Agreement Between U.S. Underwriters and
International Managers") which provides for, among other things, the transfer of
shares of Common Stock between the two syndicates.  Two forms of prospectus are
to be used in connection with the offer and sale of shares of Common Stock
contemplated by the foregoing, one relating to the Stock and the other relating
to the U.S.

<PAGE>
 
Stock. The latter form of prospectus will be identical to the former except for
certain substitute pages as included in the registration statement and
amendments thereto referred to below. Except as used in the first paragraph
hereof and in Sections 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10 herein, and except as the context may
otherwise require, references herein to the Stock shall include all the shares
of the Common Stock which may be sold pursuant to either this Agreement or the
U.S. Underwriting Agreement, and references herein to any prospectus whether in
preliminary or final form, and whether as amended or supplemented, shall include
both the U.S. and the international versions thereof.

         1. Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Company. The
Company represents, warrants and agrees that:

    
          (a) Each of the registration statement on Form S-1, and any
     registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Rules and
     Regulations (as hereinafter defined), and any amendments thereto, with
     respect to the Stock has (i) been prepared by the Company in conformity
     with the requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the
     "Securities Act") and the rules and regulations (the  "Rule and
     Regulations") of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the
     "Commission") thereunder, (ii) been filed with the Commission under the
     Securities Act and (iii) become effective under the Securities Act.  Copies
     of each of such registration statement, including any registration
     statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b), and the amendments thereto have
     been delivered by the Company to you as the lead managers (the "Lead
     Managers") of the International Managers and such copies, to the extent
     applicable, were identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof
     filed with the Commission pursuant to the Commission's Electronic Data
     Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System ("EDGAR"), except to the extent
     permitted by Regulation S-T.  As used in this Agreement, "Effective Time"
     means the date and the time as of which such registration statement, or the
     most recent post-effective amendment thereto, if any, was declared
     effective by the Commission; "Effective Date" means the date of the
     Effective Time; "Preliminary Prospectus" means each prospectus included in
     such registration statement, or amendments thereof, before it became
     effective under the Securities Act and any prospectus filed with the
     Commission by the Company with the consent of the Representatives pursuant
     to Rule 424(a) of the Rules and Regulations; "Registration Statement" means
     such registration statement, as amended at the Effective Time, including
     all information contained in the final prospectus filed with the Commission
     pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations in accordance with
     Section 5(a)hereof and deemed to be a part of the registration statement as
     of the Effective Time pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A of the Rules
     and Regulations; "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement" means any
     registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Rules and
     Regulations, and after such filing, the term "Registration Statement" shall
     include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement; and "Prospectus" means such
     final prospectus, as first filed with the Commission pursuant to paragraph
     (1) or (4) of Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations.  The Commission has
     not issued any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary
     Prospectus.  For purposes of this Agreement, all references to any
     Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, any          

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or any amendment or
     supplement to any of the foregoing, shall be deemed to include the
     respective copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR.

          
          (b) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration
     Statement, conforms, and the Prospectus and any further amendments or
     supplements to the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
     Registration Statement, or the Prospectus, when they become effective or
     are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform in all
     material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules
     and Regulations and do not and will not, (i) as of the applicable Effective
     Date (as to the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto) contain
     an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
     required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
     not misleading and (ii) as of the applicable filing date (as to the
     Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto) contain an untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in
     order to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which
     they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty
     is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Registration
     Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or the
     Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
     furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of any
     International Manager specifically for inclusion therein.        

          
          (c) The Company and each of its subsidiaries has been duly
     incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing
     under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, is duly qualified to
     do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each
     jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of
     its business requires such qualification, and has all power and authority
     necessary to own or hold its properties and to conduct the business in
     which it is engaged, except to the extent that the failure to be so
     qualified or in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on
     the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; and none of the
     subsidiaries is a "significant subsidiary," as such term is defined in Rule
     405 of the Rules and Regulations.           

          
          (d) The Company has an authorized and outstanding capitalization as
     set forth in the Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock
     of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully
     paid and non-assessable and conform in all material respects to the
     description thereof contained in the Prospectus.  Upon redemption of the
     Company's Series A and Series C Preferred Stock and conversion of its
     Series B and Series D Preferred Stock in connection with the closing of the
     Offering, no shares of capital stock of the Company will be outstanding
     other than the Common Stock; and all of the issued shares of capital stock
     of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and
     issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned directly or
     indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,
     equities or claims.           

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
          
          (e) The unissued shares of the Stock to be issued and sold by the
     Company to the International Managers hereunder and the U.S. Underwriters
     under the U.S. Underwriting Agreement have been duly and validly authorized
     and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein
     and the U.S. Underwriting Agreement, will be duly and validly issued, fully
     paid and non-assessable; and the Stock will conform in all material
     respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Prospectus.         

          (f) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
     the Company.

          
          (g) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
     U.S. Underwriting Agreement by the Company and the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not conflict with or
     result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or
     constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
     agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of
     its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, nor will such actions result
     in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company
     or any of its subsidiaries or any statute or any order, rule or regulation
     of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets;
     and except for the registration of the Stock under the Securities Act and
     such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications
     as may be required under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
     as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and applicable state or foreign securities
     or Blue Sky laws and clearance by the Nasdaq National Market and the
     National Association of Securities Dealers Inc. in connection with the
     purchase and distribution of the Stock by the International Managers and
     the U.S. Underwriters, no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or
     filing or registration with, any such court or governmental agency or body
     is required for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
     or the U.S. Underwriting Agreement by the Company and the consummation of
     the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.         

          (h) Except as described in the Prospectus, there are no contracts,
     agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting
     such person the right (other than rights which have been waived or
     satisfied) to require the Company to file a registration statement under
     the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company owned or
     to be owned by such person or to require the Company to include such
     securities in the securities registered pursuant to the Registration
     Statement or in any securities being registered pursuant to any other
     registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act.

          
          (i) Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Company has
     not sold or issued any shares of Common Stock during the six-month period  
    

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     preceding the date of the Prospectus, including any sales pursuant to Rule
     144A under, or Regulations D or S of, the Securities Act, other than shares
     issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, stock options plans or other
     employee compensation plans or pursuant to outstanding options, rights or
     warrants.

          
          (j) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained,
     since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the
     Prospectus, any material loss or interference with its business from fire,
     explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or
     from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree,
     otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus; and, other
     than as set forth in or contemplated by the Prospectus, since such date,
     there has not been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries (except pursuant to options granted or
     exercised under the Company's option and equity incentive plans, and the
     normal scheduled payments of long-term debt) or any material adverse
     change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change,
     in or affecting the general affairs, management, financial position,
     stockholders' equity or results of operations of the Company and its
     subsidiaries taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated
     in the Prospectus.          

          (k) The financial statements (including the related notes and
     supporting schedules) filed as part of the Registration Statement or
     included in the Prospectus present fairly the financial condition and
     results of operations of the entities purported to be shown thereby, at the
     dates and for the periods indicated and have been prepared in conformity
     with generally accepted accounting principles (except in the case of
     unaudited interim financial statements for normal recurring adjustments)
     applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved, except as
     otherwise stated therein.
    
          (l) Arthur Andersen LLP, who have certified certain financial
     statements of the Company, whose report appears in the Prospectus and who
     have delivered the initial letters referred to in Section 7(g) hereof, are
     independent public accountants as required by the Securities Act and the
     Rules and Regulations.     

          
          (m) The Company together with its subsidiaries have good and
     marketable title to all real and personal property owned by them, in each
     case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as
     are described in the Prospectus or such as do not materially affect the
     value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made
     and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its
     subsidiaries taken as a whole or are not material to the business of the
     Company and its subsidiaries taken as whole; and, except as set forth or
     contemplated in the Prospectus, all real property and buildings held under
     lease by the Company and its subsidiaries are held by it under valid,
     subsisting and enforceable leases, with such exceptions as are not material
     and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such
     property and buildings by the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
     whole.        

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
          
          (n) The Company maintains aviation product liability insurance with an
     aggregate coverage limit of $150 million per year, subject to certain
     deductibles and exclusions.  The Company together with its subsidiaries
     carry or are covered by, such other insurance in such amounts and covering
     such risks as is adequate for the conduct of their respective businesses
     and the value of their properties and as is customary for companies engaged
     in similar businesses in similar industries.         

          
          (o) Except as disclosed in or specifically contemplated by the
     Prospectus, (i) the Company or its subsidiaries own or possess adequate
     rights to use all trademarks, trademark applications, trade names, service
     marks, patents, patent applications, patent rights, copyrights, inventions,
     trade secrets, know how, licenses, approvals and governmental
     authorizations that are necessary to conduct their business as now
     conducted or presently proposed to be conducted as described in the
     Registration Statement and Prospectus; (ii) the expiration of any
     trademarks, trademark applications, trade names, service marks, patents,
     patent applications, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, trade secrets,
     know how, licenses, approvals and governmental authorizations would not
     have a material adverse effect on the earnings, business, management,
     properties, assets, rights, operations, condition (financial or otherwise)
     or prospects of the Company or its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (iii) to
     the knowledge of the Company, none of the patents owned or licensed by the
     Company are unenforceable or invalid; (iv) the Company has duly and
     properly filed or caused to be filed with the United States Patent and
     Trademark Office (the "PTO") and applicable foreign and international
     patent authorities all patent applications described or referred to in the
     Prospectus; (v) the Company has no knowledge of any facts which would
     preclude it from having clear title to its patent applications referenced
     in the Prospectus; (vi) except as described in the Prospectus, the Company
     has no knowledge of, and has received no notice of, any material
     infringement or misappropriation by the Company of any trademark, trademark
     application, trade name, service mark, patent, patent application, patent
     right, mask work, copyright, invention, know how, license, trade secret or
     other similar rights of others; (vii) the Company has not terminated or
     breached and is not in violation of any agreement covering its intellectual
     property rights which breach or violation is reasonably likely to have a
     material adverse effect on the earnings, business, management, properties,
     assets, rights, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects
     of Company and its subsidiaries taken as whole; and (viii)  to the
     knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries, the conduct of their
     respective businesses will not conflict with, and, except as described in
     the Prospectus neither the Company nor its subsidiaries have received any
     notice of any material claim of conflict with, any rights of third parties
     to any of the intellectual property of the Company or its subsidiaries.  
     

          (p) Except as described in the Prospectus, there are no legal or
     governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries is a party or of which any property or assets of the Company
     or any of its subsidiaries is the subject

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     
     which, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
     is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the financial
     position, stockholders' equity, results of operations, business or
     prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; and to the
     Company's knowledge, no such material proceedings are threatened or
     contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others.       

          (q) There are no contracts or other documents which are required to be
     described in the Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the Registration
     Statement by the Securities Act or by the Rules and Regulations which have
     not been described in the Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the
     Registration Statement or incorporated therein by reference as permitted by
     the Rules and Regulations.

          (r) No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the
     Company on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders,
     customers or suppliers of the Company on the other hand, which is required
     to be described in the Prospectus which is not so described.

          
          (s) No labor disturbance by the employees of the Company exists or, to
     the knowledge of the Company, is imminent which is reasonably likely to be
     expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position,
     stockholders' equity, results of operations, business or prospects of the
     Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.          

          (t) The Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance in all material
     respects with all presently applicable provisions of the Employee
     Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the
     regulations and published interpretations thereunder ("ERISA"); no
     "reportable event" (as defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any
     "pension plan" (as defined in ERISA) for which the Company would have any
     liability; the Company has not incurred and does not expect to incur
     liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or
     withdrawal from, any "pension plan" or (ii) Sections 412 or 4971 of the
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including the regulations and
     published interpretations thereunder (the "Code"); and each "pension plan"
     for which the Company would have any liability that is intended to be
     qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all material
     respects and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act,
     which would cause the loss of such qualification.

          (u) The Company has filed all federal, state and local income and
     franchise tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof and has
     paid all taxes due thereon, and no tax deficiency has been determined
     adversely to the Company which has had (nor does the Company have any
     knowledge of any tax deficiency which, if determined adversely to the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries, is reasonably likely to have) a
     material adverse effect on the financial position, stockholders' equity,
     results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its
     subsidiaries taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth in the
     Prospectus.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
          
          (v) Since the date as of which information is given in the Prospectus
     through the date hereof, and except as may otherwise be disclosed in the
     Prospectus, the Company has not (i) issued or granted any securities, other
     than in connection with the issuance of stock options or shares of Common
     Stock upon the exercise of stock options, (ii) incurred any liability or
     obligation, direct or contingent, in either case that are material to the
     Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole other than liabilities and
     obligations which were incurred in the ordinary course of business, (iii)
     entered into any transaction that is material to the Company and its
     subsidiaries taken as a whole, that was not in the ordinary course of
     business or (iv) declared or paid any dividend on its capital stock.       

          
          (w)  The Company (i) makes and keeps accurate books and records and
     (ii) maintains internal accounting controls which provide reasonable
     assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with
     management's authorization, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to
     permit preparation of its financial statements and to maintain
     accountability for its assets, (C) access to its assets is permitted only
     in accordance with management's general or specific authorization and (D)
     the reported accountability for its assets is compared with existing assets
     at reasonable intervals.        

     
          (x) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries (i) is in
     violation of its charter or by-laws, (ii) is in default in any material
     respect, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or
     both, would constitute such a default (which default has not been waived),
     in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition
     contained in any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
     agreement or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by
     which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject or
     (iii) is in violation in any material respect of any law, ordinance,
     governmental rule, regulation or court decree to which it or its property
     or assets may be subject except, in each case above, as is not reasonably
     likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
     subsidiaries taken as a whole.        

          (y) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director,
     officer, agent, employee or other person associated with or acting on
     behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, has used any corporate
     funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful
     expense relating to political activity; made any direct or indirect
     unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee
     from corporate funds; violated or is in violation of any provision of the
     Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977; or made any bribe, rebate, payoff,
     influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

          (z) There has been no storage, disposal, generation, manufacture,
     refinement, transportation, handling or treatment of toxic wastes, medical
     wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances by the Company or any of
     its subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their
     predecessors in interest) at, upon or from any of the property now or
     previously owned or leased by the Company or its subsidiaries in violation
     of any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree
     or permit or which

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
    
     would require remedial action under any applicable law, ordinance, rule,
     regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit, except for any violation or
     remedial action which would not have, or could not be reasonably likely to
     have, singularly or in the aggregate with all such violations and remedial
     actions, a material adverse effect on the general affairs, management,
     financial position, stockholders' equity or results of operations of the
     Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; there has been no material
     spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release of
     any kind onto such property or into the environment surrounding such
     property of any toxic wastes, medical wastes, solid wastes, hazardous
     wastes or hazardous substances due to or caused by the Company or any of
     its subsidiaries or with respect to which the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries have knowledge, except for any such spill, discharge, leak,
     emission, injection, escape, dumping or release which would not have or
     would not be reasonably likely to have, singularly or in the aggregate with
     all such spills, discharges, leaks, emissions, injections, escapes,
     dumpings and releases, a material adverse effect on the general affairs,
     management, financial position, stockholders' equity or results of
     operations of the Company and it subsidiaries taken as a whole; and the
     terms "hazardous wastes", "toxic wastes", "hazardous substances" and
     "medical wastes" shall have the meanings specified in any applicable local,
     state, federal and foreign laws or regulations with respect to
     environmental protection.          

          (aa)  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is, or will
     become as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
     this Agreement or the International Underwriting Agreement, an "investment
     company" within the meaning of such term under the Investment Company Act
     of 1940 and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

    
          2.   Purchase of the Stock by the International Managers.  On the
basis of the representations and warranties contained in, and subject to the
terms and conditions of, this Agreement, the Company agrees to sell _________
shares of the Firm Stock to the several International Managers and each of the
International Managers, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase the number
of shares of the Firm Stock set forth opposite that International Manager's name
in Schedule 1 hereto.  The respective purchase obligations of the International
Managers with respect to the Firm Stock shall be rounded among the International
Managers to avoid fractional shares, as the Lead Managers may determine.      

    
          In addition, the Company grants to the International Managers an
option to purchase up to _________ shares of Option Stock. Such option is
granted solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments in the sale of Firm
Stock and is exercisable as provided in Section 4 hereof. Shares of Option Stock
shall be purchased severally for the account of the International Managers in
the same proportion as the number of shares of Firm Stock set forth opposite the
     

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
    
name of such International Managers in Schedule 1 hereto represents of the
total number of shares of the Firm Stock to be purchased by all of the
International Managers pursuant to this Agreement.  The respective obligations
of each International Manager with respect to the Option Stock shall be adjusted
by the Lead Managers so that commitments to purchase Option Stock shall be
proportionate to such International Manager's initial commitment as provided in
Schedule 1.  Such respective purchase obligations with respect to the Option
Stock shall be rounded among the International Managers to avoid fractional
shares, as the Lead Managers may determine.  The price of both the Firm Stock
and any Option Stock shall be $_____ per share.       

    
          3.   Offering of Stock by the International Managers.  Upon
authorization by the Lead Managers of the release of the Firm Stock and the
Option Stock, if purchased, the several International Managers propose to offer
the Firm Stock and the Option Stock, if purchased, for sale upon the terms and
conditions set forth in the Prospectus.       

          Each International Manager agrees that, except to the extent permitted
by the Agreement Between U.S. Underwriters and International Managers, it will
not offer or sell any of the Stock outside of the United States.

    
          4.   Delivery of and Payment for the Stock.  Delivery of and payment
for the Firm Stock shall be made at the office of Brown, Rudnick, Freed &
Gesmer, One Financial Center, Boston, MA  02111, at 10:00 A.M., Eastern time, on
the third full business day (unless otherwise required by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act) following the date of this
Agreement or at such other date or place as shall be determined by agreement
between the Lead Managers and the Company.  This date and time are sometimes
referred to as the "First Delivery Date."  On the First Delivery Date, the
Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered certificates representing the
Firm Stock to the Lead Managers for the account of each International Manager
against payment to or upon the order of the Company of the purchase price by
wire transfer in same-day funds.  Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at
the time and place specified pursuant to this Agreement is a further condition
of the obligation of each International Manager hereunder.  Upon delivery, the
Firm Stock shall be registered in such names and in such denominations as the
Lead Managers shall request in writing not less than two full business days
prior to the First Delivery Date.  For the purpose of expediting the checking
and packaging of the certificates for the Firm Stock, the Company shall make the
certificates representing the Firm Stock available for inspection by the Lead
Managers in New York, New York, not later than 2:00 P.M., Eastern time, on the
business day prior to the First Delivery Date.       

          At any time on or before the thirtieth day after the date of this
Agreement the option granted in Section 2 may be exercised by written notice
being given to the Company by the Lead Managers.  Such notice shall set forth
the aggregate number of shares of Option Stock as to which the option is being
exercised, the names in which the shares of Option Stock are to be registered,
the denominations in which the shares of Option Stock are to be issued and the
date and time, as determined by the Lead Managers, when the shares of Option
Stock are to be delivered; provided, however, that this date and time shall not
be earlier than the First Delivery Date nor earlier than the second business day
after the date on which the option shall have been

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
exercised nor later than the third business day after the date on which the
option shall have been exercised. The date and time the shares of Option Stock
are delivered are sometimes referred to as the "Second Delivery Date" and the
First Delivery Date and the Second Delivery Date are sometimes each referred to
as a "Delivery Date").

    
          Delivery of and payment for the Option Stock shall be made at the
place specified in the first sentence of the first paragraph of this Section 4
(or at such other place as shall be determined by agreement between the Lead
Managers and the Company) at 10:00 A.M., Eastern time, on the Second Delivery
Date.  On the Second Delivery Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be
delivered the certificates representing the Option Stock to the Lead Managers
for the account of each International Manager against payment to or upon the
order of the Company of the purchase price by wire transfer in same-day funds.
Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified
pursuant to this Agreement is a further condition of the obligation of each
International Manager hereunder.  Upon delivery, the Option Stock shall be
registered in such names and in such denominations as the Lead Managers shall
request in the aforesaid written notice.  For the purpose of expediting the
checking and packaging of the certificates for the Option Stock, the Company
shall make the certificates representing the Option Stock available for
inspection by the Lead Managers in New York, New York, not later than 2:00 P.M.,
New York City time, on the business day prior to the Second Delivery Date.  
     

          5.   Further Agreements of the Company.  The Company agrees:

          (a) To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by the Lead Managers
     and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities
     Act not later than Commission's close of business on the second business
     day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement or, if
     applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule 430A(a)(3) under
     the Securities Act; to make no further amendment or any supplement to the
     Registration Statement or to the Prospectus except as permitted herein; to
     advise the Lead Managers, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the
     time when any amendment to the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b)
     Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any
     supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been filed and
     to furnish the Lead Managers with copies thereof; to advise the Lead
     Managers, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the
     Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the
     use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, of the suspension of
     the qualification of the Stock for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of
     the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of
     any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the
     Registration Statement or the Prospectus or for additional information;
     and, in the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order
     preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the
     Prospectus or suspending any such qualification, to use promptly its best
     efforts to obtain its withdrawal;

          (b) To furnish promptly to each of the Lead Managers and to counsel
     for the International Managers a signed copy of the Registration Statement,
     including any

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
     Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, as originally filed with the
     Commission, and each amendment thereto filed with the Commission, including
     all consents and exhibits filed therewith;

          (c) To deliver promptly to the Lead Managers such number of the
     following documents as the Lead Managers shall reasonably request: (i)
     conformed copies of the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
     Registration Statement, as originally filed with the Commission and each
     amendment thereto (in each case excluding exhibits other than this
     Agreement and the computation of per share earnings) and, (ii) each
     Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amended or supplemented
     Prospectus; and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required at any time
     after the Effective Time in connection with the offering or sale of the
     Stock or any other securities relating thereto and if at such time any
     events shall have occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then
     amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material
     fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
     statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
     made when such Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any
     other reason it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in
     order to comply with the Securities Act, to notify the Lead Managers and,
     upon their request, to prepare and furnish without charge to each
     International Manager and to any dealer in securities as many copies as the
     Lead Managers may from time to time reasonably request of an amended or
     supplemented Prospectus which will correct such statement or omission or
     effect such compliance.  To the extent applicable, the copies of the
     Registration Statement and each amendment thereto (including all exhibits
     filed therewith), including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, any
     Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus (in each case, as amended or
     supplemented) furnished to the International Managers and counsel to the
     International Managers will be identical to the electronically transmitted
     copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the
     extent permitted by Regulation S-T;

          (d) To file promptly with the Commission any amendment to the
     Registration Statement, including any filing required under Rule 462(b), or
     the Prospectus or any supplement to the Prospectus that may, in the
     judgment of the Company or the Lead Managers, be required by the Securities
     Act or requested by the Commission;

          (e) Prior to filing with the Commission any amendment to the
     Registration Statement, including any filing required under Rule 462(b), or
     supplement to the Prospectus or any Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424 of the
     Rules and Regulations, to furnish a copy thereof to the Lead Managers and
     counsel for the International Managers and obtain the consent of the Lead
     Managers to the filing;

          (f) As soon as practicable after the Effective Date, to make generally
     available to the Company's shareholders and to deliver to the Lead Managers
     an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not
     be audited) complying with Section 11 (a) of the Securities Act and the
     Rules and Regulations (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158);

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
    
          (g) For a period of five years following the Effective Date, to
     furnish to those of the Lead Managers who may so request copies of all
     materials furnished by the Company to its shareholders and all public
     reports and all reports and financial statements furnished by the Company
     to the principal national securities exchange upon which the Common Stock
     may be listed pursuant to requirements of or agreements with such exchange
     or to the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act or any rule or regulation
     of the Commission thereunder; and to the extent applicable, such reports or
     documents shall be identical to the electronically transmitted copies
     thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent
     permitted by Regulation S-T;        

    
          (h) Promptly from time to time to take such action as the Lead
     Managers may reasonably request to qualify the Stock for offering and sale
     under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Lead Managers may
     request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of
     sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as may be
     necessary to complete the distribution of the Stock provided, however, that
     in no event shall the Company be obligated to qualify to do business in any
     jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action which
     would subject it to general service of process in any jurisdiction where it
     is not now so subject;        

    
          (i) For a period of 180 days from the date of the Prospectus, not to
     offer for sale, sell or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction
     which is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by
     any person of), directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock (other
     than the Stock and shares issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, stock
     option plans or other employee compensation plans existing on the date
     hereof or pursuant to currently outstanding options, warrants or rights),
     or sell or grant options, rights or warrants with respect to any shares of
     Common Stock (other than the grant of options pursuant to option plans
     existing on the date hereof), without the prior written consent of Lehman
     Brothers Inc.; and to cause each officer and director and each record owner
     of shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock of the Company other than
     those record owners listed in writing by the Company to Lehman Brothers,
     Inc. and approved by it prior to the First Delivery Date, to furnish to the
     Lead Managers, prior to the First Delivery Date, a letter or letters, in
     form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the International Managers,
     pursuant to which each such person shall agree not to offer for sale, sell
     or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction which is designed
     to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person of),
     directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock for a period of 180 days
     from the date of the Prospectus, without the prior written consent of
     Lehman Brothers Inc.;        

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
          (j) Prior to the Effective Date, to apply for the listing of the Stock
     on the Nasdaq National Market and to use its best efforts to complete that
     listing, subject only to official notice of issuance and evidence of
     satisfactory distribution, prior to the First Delivery Date;

          (k) Prior to filing with the Commission any reports on Form SR
     pursuant to Rule 463 of the Rules and Regulations, to furnish a copy
     thereof to the counsel for the International Managers and receive and
     consider its comments thereon, and to deliver promptly to the Lead Managers
     a signed copy of each report on Form SR filed by it with the Commission;

          (l) To apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Stock being sold by
     the Company as set forth in the Prospectus; and

          (m) To take such steps as shall be necessary to ensure that neither
     the Company nor any subsidiary shall become an "investment company" within
     the meaning of such term under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the
     rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

    
          6.   Expenses.  The Company agrees to pay (a) the costs incident to
the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Stock and any taxes
payable in that connection; (b) the costs incident to the preparation, printing
and filing under the Securities Act of the Registration Statement and any
amendments and exhibits thereto; (c) the costs of distributing the Registration
Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto and any post-effective
amendments thereof (including, in each case, exhibits), any Preliminary
Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus,
all as provided in this Agreement; (d) the costs of printing and distributing
this Agreement, the Agreement Between U.S. Underwriters and International
Managers and the Supplemental Agreement Among U.S. Underwriters and any other
related documents in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery
of the Stock; (e) the costs of delivering and distributing the terms of
agreement relating to the organization of the domestic underwriting syndicate
and selling group to the members thereof by mail, telex or other means of
communications; (f) the filing fees incident to securing any required review by
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. of the terms of sale of the
Stock; (g) any applicable listing or other fees; (h) the fees and expenses of
qualifying the Stock under the securities laws of the several jurisdictions as
provided in Section 5(h) and of preparing, printing and distributing a Blue Sky
Memorandum (including related fees and expenses of counsel to the International
Managers); (k) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the
obligations of the Company under this Agreement; provided that, except as
provided in this Section 6 and in Section 11 the International Managers shall
pay their owns costs and expenses, including the costs and expenses of their
counsel, any transfer taxes on the Stock which they may sell and the expenses of
advertising any offering of the Stock made by the International Managers.       

          7.   Conditions of International Managers' Obligations.  The
respective obligations of the International Managers hereunder are subject to
the accuracy, when made and

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
on each Delivery Date, of the representations and warranties of the Company
contained herein, to the performance by the Company of its obligations
hereunder, and to each of the following additional terms and conditions:

    
          (a) The Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission in
     accordance with Section 5(a); no stop order suspending the effectiveness of
     the Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration
     Statement, or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for
     that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and
     any request of the Commission for inclusion of additional information in
     the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or otherwise shall have been
     complied with.       

          (b) No U.S. Underwriter or International Manager shall have discovered
     and disclosed to the Company on or prior to such Delivery Date that the
     Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or the
     Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto contains an untrue
     statement of a fact which, in the opinion of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault,
     LLP, counsel for the International Managers, is material or omits to state
     a fact which, in the opinion of such counsel, is material and is required
     to be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not
     misleading.

          (c) All corporate proceedings and other legal matters incident to the
     authorization, form and validity of this Agreement, the International
     Underwriting Agreement, the Stock, the Registration Statement and the
     Prospectus, and all other legal matters relating to this Agreement and the
     transactions contemplated hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in all
     material respects to counsel for the International Managers, and the
     Company shall have furnished to such counsel all documents and information
     that they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

          (d) Brown, Rudnick, Freed & Gesmer shall have furnished to the Lead
     Managers its written opinion, as counsel to the Company, addressed to the
     International Managers and dated such Delivery Date, in form and substance
     reasonably satisfactory to the Lead Managers, to the effect set forth in
     Annex A hereto;

    
          In rendering such opinion, such counsel may state that (i) its opinion
     is limited to matters governed by the Federal laws of the United States of
     America and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and that
     such counsel is not admitted in the State of Delaware; and (ii) in giving
     the opinion referred to in Section 7(d), state that it is relying upon
     opinions of foreign counsel for certain subsidiaries and, with respect to
     matters of fact, upon certificates of officers of the Company or its
     subsidiaries, provided that such counsel shall state that it believes that
     the International Managers and it are justified in relying upon such
     opinions and certificates.  Such counsel shall also have furnished to the
     Lead Managers a written statement, addressed to the International Managers
     and dated such Delivery Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the
     Lead Managers, to the effect that such counsel has participated in
     conferences with officers and other Lead Managers of the Company,
     representatives of the independent public       

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
    
     accountants for the Company, the Lead Managers and counsel for the Lead
     Managers at which the contents of the Registration Statement, the
     Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and related matters were
     discussed and, although such counsel is not passing upon and does not
     assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the
     statements contained in the Registration Statement, any 462(b) Registration
     Statement and the Prospectuses (except for the statements made in the
     Prospectus under the captions "Description of Capital Stock," and "Shares
     Eligible For Future Sale" insofar as such statements relate to the Stock
     and concern legal matters) and based on the foregoing, no facts have come
     to the attention of such counsel which lead it to believe that the
     Registration Statement, as of the Effective Date, contained any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required
     to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein
     not misleading, or that any 462(b) Registration Statement or the Prospectus
     contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
     material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
     the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
     made, not misleading (it being understood that such counsel is not
     requested to and need not express any comment with respect to the financial
     statements and schedules and other financial and statistical data included
     in the Registration Statement or Prospectus).       

          (e)  Cooper & Dunham LLP shall have furnished to the Lead Managers its
     written opinion, as patent counsel to the Company, addressed to the
     International Managers and dated such Delivery Date, in form and substance
     reasonably satisfactory to the Lead Managers, to the effect set forth in
     Annex B hereto;

          (f) The Lead Managers shall have received from Testa, Hurwitz &
     Thibeault, LLP, counsel for the International Managers, such opinion or
     opinions, dated such Delivery Date, with respect to the issuance and sale
     of the Stock, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and other related
     matters as the Lead Managers may reasonably require, and the Company shall
     have furnished to such counsel such documents as they reasonably request
     for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

          (g) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Lead Managers
     shall have received from Arthur Andersen a letter, in form and substance
     satisfactory to the Lead Managers, addressed to the International Managers
     and dated the date hereof (i) confirming that they are independent public
     accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and are in compliance
     with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of
     accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, (ii)
     stating, as of the date hereof (or, with respect to matters involving
     changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified
     financial information is given in the Prospectus, as of a date not more
     than five days prior to the date hereof), the conclusions and findings of
     such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters
     ordinarily covered by accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters in
     connection with registered public offerings.

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
          (h) With respect to the letter of  Arthur Andersen LLP referred to in
     the preceding paragraph and delivered to the Lead Managers concurrently
     with the execution of this Agreement (the "initial letter"), the Company
     shall have furnished to the Lead Managers a letter (the "bring-down
     letter") of such accountants, addressed to the International Managers and
     dated such Delivery Date (i) confirming that they are independent public
     accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and are in compliance
     with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of
     accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, (ii)
     stating, as of the date of the bring-down letter (or, with respect to
     matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of
     which specified financial information is given in the Prospectus, as of a
     date not more than five days prior to the date of the bring-down letter),
     the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial
     information and other matters covered by the initial letter and (iii)
     confirming in all material respects the conclusions and findings set forth
     in the initial letter.

          (i) The Company shall have furnished to the Lead Managers a
     certificate, dated such Delivery Date, of its Chairman of the Board, its
     President or a Vice President and its chief financial officer stating that:
    
               (i) The representations, warranties and agreements of the Company
     in Section 1 are true and correct in all material respects as of such
     Delivery Date; the Company has complied in all material respects with all
     its agreements contained herein; and the conditions set forth in Sections
     7(a) and 7(l) have been fulfilled; and      

    
               (ii) They have carefully examined the Registration Statement and
     the Prospectus and, in their opinion (A) as of the Effective Date, the
     Registration Statement did not include any untrue statement of a material
     fact and did not omit to state a material fact required to be stated
     therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and the
     Prospectus did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
     to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in the
     light of circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (B)
     since the Effective Date no event has occurred which should have been set
     forth in a supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement or the
     Prospectus.        

    
          (j) (i) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall have
     sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements
     included in the Prospectus any loss or interference with its business from
     fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by
     insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order
     or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus or
     (ii) since such date there shall not have been any change in the capital
     stock or long-term debt of the Company (except pursuant to options granted
     or exercised under the Company's option and equity incentive plans, and the
     normal scheduled payment of long-term debt) or any change, or any
     development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the general
     affairs, management, financial position, stockholders' equity or results of
     operations of       

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
     the Company, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus,
     the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i) or (ii), is,
     in the judgment of the Lead Managers, so material and adverse as to make it
     impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the
     delivery of the Stock being delivered on such Delivery Date on the terms
     and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus .

          (k) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement there
     shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) trading in securities
     generally on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or
     in the over-the-counter market, or trading in any securities of the Company
     on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market, shall have been
     suspended or minimum prices shall have been established on any such
     exchange or such market by the Commission, by such exchange or by any other
     regulatory body or governmental authority having jurisdiction, (ii) a
     banking moratorium shall have been declared by Federal or state
     authorities, (iii) the United States shall have become engaged in
     hostilities, there shall have been an escalation in hostilities involving
     the United States or there shall have been a declaration of a national
     emergency or war by the United States or (iv) there shall have occurred
     such a material adverse change in general economic, political or financial
     conditions (or the effect of international conditions on the financial
     markets in the United States shall be such) as to make it, in the judgment
     of a majority in interest of the several International Managers,
     impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or
     delivery of the Stock being delivered on such Delivery Date on the terms
     and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.

          (l) The Nasdaq National Market shall have approved the Stock for
     listing, subject only to official notice of issuance and evidence of
     satisfactory distribution.

          (m) The closing under the International Underwriting Agreement shall
     have occurred concurrently with the closing hereunder on the First Delivery
     Date.

     All opinions, letters, evidence and certificates mentioned above or
elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the
provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to counsel for the International Managers.

          8.   Indemnification and Contribution.

          (a) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each International
     Manager, its officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls
     any International Manager within the meaning of the Securities Act, from
     and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any
     action in respect thereof (including, but not limited to, any loss, claim,
     damage, liability or action relating to purchases and sales of Stock), to
     which that International Manager, officer, employee or controlling person
     may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as, such
     loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon,
     (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
     contained (A) in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or
     the Prospectus or in any amendment or

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
    
     supplement thereto or (B) in any blue sky application or other document
     prepared or executed by the Company (or based upon any written information
     furnished by the Company) specifically for the purpose of qualifying any or
     all of the Stock under the securities laws of any state or other
     jurisdiction (any such application, document or information being
     hereinafter called a "Blue Sky Application"), (ii) the omission or alleged
     omission to state in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement
     or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any
     Blue Sky Application any material fact required to be stated therein or
     necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any act
     or failure to act or any alleged act or failure to act by any International
     Manager in connection with, or relating in any manner to, the Stock or the
     offering contemplated hereby, and which is included as part of or referred
     to in any loss, claim, damage, liability or action arising out of or based
     upon matters covered by clause (i) or (ii) above (provided that the Company
     shall not be liable under this clause (iii) to the extent that it is
     determined in a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction that
     such loss, claim, damage, liability or action resulted directly from any
     such acts or failures to act undertaken or omitted to be taken by such
     International Manager through its gross negligence or willful misconduct),
     and shall reimburse each International Manager and each such officer,
     employee or controlling person promptly upon demand for any legal or other
     expenses reasonably incurred by that International Manager, officer,
     employee or controlling person in connection with investigating or
     defending or preparing to defend against such loss, claim, damage,
     liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that
     the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any
     such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based
     upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
     alleged omission made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration
     Statement or the Prospectus, or in any such amendment or supplement, or in
     any Blue Sky Application, in reliance upon and in conformity with written
     information concerning such International Manager furnished to the Company
     through the Lead Managers by or on behalf of any International Manager or
     any International Manager specifically for inclusion therein; provided ,
     further, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to
     the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises
     out of, or is based upon any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
     statement or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in the
     Preliminary Prospectus which is corrected in the Prospectus if the person
     asserting any such loss, claim, damage or liability purchased Stock from
     such International Manager but was not sent or given a copy of the
     Prospectus at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such
     Stock to such person. The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to
     any liability which the Company may otherwise have to any International
     Manager or to any officer, employee or controlling person of that
     International Manager.       

          (b) Each International Manager, severally and not jointly, shall
     indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its officers and employees, each
     of its directors, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
     the meaning of the Securities Act, from and against any loss, claim, damage
     or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof, to which
     the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person may

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
     become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such
     loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon,
     (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
     contained (A) in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or
     the Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or (B) in any
     Blue Sky Application or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in
     any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus,
     or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Blue Sky Application
     any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
     statements therein not misleading, but in each case only to the extent that
     the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
     omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written
     information concerning such International Manager furnished to the Company
     through the Lead Managers by or on behalf of that International Manager
     specifically for inclusion therein, and shall reimburse the Company and any
     such director, officer or controlling person for any legal or other
     expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any such director, officer
     or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending or
     preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
     action as such expenses are incurred. The foregoing indemnity agreement is
     in addition to any liability which any International Manager may otherwise
     have to the Company or any such director, officer, employee or controlling
     person.

          (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
     8 of notice of any claim or the commencement of any action, the identified
     party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
     indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in
     writing of the claim or the commencement of that action; provided, however,
     that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from
     any liability which it may have under this Section 8 except to the extent
     it has been materially prejudiced by such failure and, provided further,
     that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from
     any liability which it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than
     under this Section 8.  If any such claim or action shall be brought against
     an indemnified party, and it shall notify the indemnifying party thereof,
     the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the
     extent that it wishes, jointly with any other similarly notified
     indemnifying party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably
     satisfactory to the indemnified party.  After notice from the indemnifying
     party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of
     such claim or action, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to the
     indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses
     subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the
     defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided,
     however, that the Lead Managers shall have the right to employ counsel to
     represent jointly the Lead Managers and those other International Managers
     and their respective officers, employees and controlling persons who may be
     subject to liability arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity
     may be sought by the International Managers against the Company under this
     Section 8 if, in the reasonable judgment of the Lead Managers, it is
     advisable for the Lead Managers and those International Managers, officers,
     employees and controlling persons to be jointly represented by separate
     counsel, and in that event the fees and expenses of

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
     such separate counsel shall be paid by the Company. No indemnifying party
     shall (i) without, the prior written consent of the indemnified parties
     (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), settle or compromise or
     consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or
     threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which
     indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the
     indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or
     action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an
     unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising
     out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding, or (ii) be liable for any
     settlement of any such action effected without its written consent (which
     consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with the
     consent of the indemnifying party or if there be a final judgment of the
     plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify
     and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss or
     liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.

          (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 shall for
     any reason be unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an
     indemnified party under Section 8(a), 8(b) or 8(c) in respect of any loss,
     claim, damage or liability, or any action in respect thereof, referred to
     therein, then each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such
     indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
     indemnified party a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability, or
     action in respect thereof, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate
     to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand
     and the International Managers on the other from the offering of the Stock
     or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by
     applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only
     the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative
     fault of the Company on the one hand and the International Managers on the
     other with respect to the statements or omissions which resulted in such
     loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, as well as
     any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits
     received by the Company on the one hand and the International Managers on
     the other with respect to such offering shall be deemed to be in the same
     proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Stock
     purchased under this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the
     Company, on the one hand, and the total underwriting discounts and
     commissions received by the International Managers with respect to the
     shares of the Stock purchased under this Agreement, on the other hand, bear
     to the total gross proceeds from the offering of the shares of the Stock
     under this Agreement, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover
     page of the Prospectus.  The relative fault shall be determined by
     reference to whether the, untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material
     fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
     information supplied by the Company or the International Managers, the
     intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information
     and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The
     Company and the International Managers agree that it would not be just and
     equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section were to be determined
     by pro rata allocation (even if the International Managers were treated as
     one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which
     does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to herein.
     The amount paid or payable by an

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
    
     indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, damage or liability, or
     action in respect thereof, referred to above in this Section shall be
     deemed to include, for purposes of this Section 8(d), any legal or other
     expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
     investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the
     provisions of this Section 8(d), no International Manager shall be required
     to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price
     at which the Stock underwritten by it and distributed to the public was
     offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such
     International Manager has otherwise paid or become liable, to pay by reason
     of any untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
     No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
     Section 10(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from
     any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The
     International Managers' obligations to contribute as provided in this
     Section 8(e) are several in proportion to their respective underwriting
     obligations and not joint. Each party entitled to contribution agrees that,
     upon the service of a summons or other initial legal process upon it in any
     action instituted against it in respect of which contribution may be
     sought, it shall promptly give written notice of such service to the party
     or parties from whom contribution may be sought but the omission so to
     notify such party or parties of any such service shall not relieve the
     party from whom contribution may be sought for any obligation it may have
     hereunder or otherwise.       

          (e) The International Managers severally confirm that the statements
     with respect to the public offering of the Stock by the International
     Managers set forth on the cover page of, the legend concerning over-
     allotments on the inside front cover page and the concession and
     reallowance figures appearing under the caption "Underwriting" in, the
     Prospectus are correct and constitute the only information concerning such
     International Managers furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf
     of the International Managers or International Managers specifically for
     inclusion in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

          9.   Defaulting International Managers.

          If, on either Delivery Date, any International Manager defaults in the
performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the remaining non-
defaulting International Managers shall be obligated to purchase the Stock which
the defaulting International Manager agreed but failed to purchase on such
Delivery Date in the respective proportions which the number of shares of the
Firm Stock set opposite the name of each remaining non-defaulting International
Manager in Schedule 1 hereto bears to the total number of shares of the Firm
Stock set opposite the names of all the remaining non-defaulting International
Managers in Schedule I hereto; provided, however, that the remaining non-
defaulting International Managers shall not be obligated to purchase any of the
Stock on such Delivery Date if the total number of shares of the Stock which the
defaulting International Manager or Managers agreed but failed to purchase on
such date exceeds 9.09% of the total number of shares of the Stock to be
purchased on such Delivery Date, and any remaining non-defaulting International
Manager shall not be obligated to purchase more than 110% of the number of
shares of the Stock which it agreed to purchase on

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
such Delivery Date pursuant to the terms of Section 2. If the foregoing maximums
are exceeded, the remaining non-defaulting International Managers, or those
other underwriters satisfactory to the Lead Managers who so agree, shall have
the right, but shall not be obligated, to purchase, in such proportion as may be
agreed upon among them, all the Stock to be purchased on such Delivery Date. If
the remaining International Managers or other underwriters satisfactory to the
Lead Managers do not elect to purchase the shares which the defaulting
International Manager or Managers agreed but failed to purchase on such Delivery
Date, this Agreement (or, with respect to the Second Delivery Date, the
obligation of the International Managers to purchase, and of the Company to
sell, the Option Stock) shall terminate without liability on the part of any
non-defaulting International Manager or the Company, except that the Company
will continue to be liable for the payment of expenses to the extent set forth
in Sections 6 and 11. As used in this Agreement, the term "International
Manager" includes, for all purposes of this Agreement unless the context
requires otherwise, any party not listed in Schedule 1 hereto who, pursuant to
this Section 9, purchases Firm Stock which a defaulting International Manager
agreed but failed to purchase.

          Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting International
Manager of any liability it may have to the Company for damages caused by its
default.  If other underwriters are obligated or agree to purchase the Stock of
a defaulting or withdrawing International Manager, either the Lead Managers or
the Company may postpone the Delivery Date for up to seven full business days in
order to effect any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Company or
counsel for the International Managers may be necessary in the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus or in any other document or arrangement.

    
          10.  Termination.  The obligations of the International Managers
hereunder may be terminated by the Lead Managers by notice given to and received
by the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Firm Stock if, prior to
that time, any of the events described in Sections 7(k) or 7(l), shall have
occurred or the event described in Section 7(m) shall not have occurred or if
the International Managers shall decline to purchase the Stock for any reason
permitted under this Agreement.        

    
          11.  Reimbursement of International Managers' Expenses.  If the
Company shall fail to tender the Stock for delivery to the International
Managers by reason of any failure, refusal or inability on the part of the
Company to perform any agreement on its part to be performed, or because any
other condition of the International Managers' obligations hereunder required to
be fulfilled by the Company is not fulfilled, the Company will reimburse the
International Managers for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including fees
and disbursements of counsel) incurred by the International Managers in
connection with this Agreement and the proposed purchase of the Stock, and upon
demand the Company shall pay the full amount thereof to the Lead Managers.  If
this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9 by reason of the default of
one or more International Managers, the Company shall not be obligated to
reimburse any defaulting International Manager on account of those expenses.
     


          12.  Notices, etc.  All statements, requests, notices and agreements
hereunder shall be in writing, and:

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
    
          (a) if to the International Managers, shall be delivered or sent by
     mail, telex or facsimile transmission to Lehman Brothers International
     (Europe), 1 Broadgate, London, EC2M 7HA, England, Attention: Syndicate
     Department (Fax: 011 44 171 260 2882), with a copy, in the case of any
     notice pursuant to Section 8(d), to the Director of Litigation, Office of
     the General Counsel, Lehman Brothers Inc., 3 World Financial Center, 10th
     Floor, New York, NY 10285, with a copy to Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP,
     125 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention:  Edwin L. Miller,
     Jr., Esq.;       

    
          (b) if to the Company, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
     facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the
     Registration Statement, Attention:  President (Fax:  617-939-3996), with a
     copy to Brown, Rudnick, Freed & Gesmer, One Financial Center, Boston,
     Massachusetts 02111, Attention:  Lawrence M. Levy, Esq.;       

provided, however, that any notice to an International Manager pursuant to
Section 8(d) shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission
to such International Manager at its address set forth in its acceptance telex
to the Lead Managers, which address will be supplied to any other party hereto
by the Lead Managers upon request.  Any such statements, requests, notices or
agreements shall take effect at the time of receipt thereof.  The Company shall
be entitled to act and rely upon any request, consent, notice or agreement given
or made on behalf of the International Managers by Lehman Brothers Inc. on
behalf of the Lead Managers.

          13.  Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the International Managers, the
Company and their respective personal representatives and successors.  This
Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof are for the sole benefit of only
those persons, except that (A) the representations, warranties, indemnities and
agreements of the Company contained in this Agreement shall also be deemed to be
for the benefit of the person or persons, if any, who control any International
Manager within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and for the
benefit of each International Manager (and controlling persons thereof) who
offers or sells shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the
Agreement between International Managers and International Managers and (B) the
indemnity agreement of the International Managers contained in Section 8(c) of
this Agreement shall be deemed to be for the benefit of directors of the
Company, officers of the Company who have signed the Registration Statement and
any person controlling the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act.  Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to
give any person, other than the persons referred to in this Section 13, any
legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement
or any provision contained herein.

          14.  Survival.  The respective indemnities, representations,
warranties and agreements of the Company and the International Managers
contained in this Agreement or made by or on behalf on them, respectively,
pursuant to this Agreement, shall survive the delivery of

                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
and payment for the Stock and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless
of any investigation made by or on behalf of any of them or any person
controlling any of them.

          15.  Definition of the Term "Business Day".  For purposes of this
Agreement, "business day" means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange,
Inc. is open for trading.

          16.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of New York.

          17.  Jurisdiction.  The parties hereto each hereby irrevocably submits
to the jurisdiction of any New York state or federal court sitting in the city
of New York, New York County, in any action or proceeding arising out of or
relating to this Agreement and the parties hereto each hereby irrevocably agrees
that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and
determined in such New York state court or such federal court.  The parties
hereto also each hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it may
effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of
such action or proceeding.  The parties hereto each irrevocably consent to the
service of copies of the summons and complaint and any other process which may
be served in any such action or proceeding by certified mail, return receipt
requested, or by delivery of a copy of such process to the parties at its
address specified in Section 14 or by any other method permitted by law.  The
parties hereto each agree that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding
shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the
judgment or by any other manner provided by law.

          18.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts and, if executed in more than one counterpart, the executed
counterparts shall each be deemed to be an original but all such counterparts
shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

          19.  Headings.  The headings herein are inserted for convenience of
reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or
interpretation of, this Agreement.



                 [Remainder of Page Intentionally  Left Blank]

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
     If the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement among the Company and
the International Managers, please indicate your acceptance in the space
provided for that purpose below.

                              Very truly yours,

                              VIVID TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                              By______________________
                                President


Accepted:

LEHMAN BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE)
COWEN & COMPANY
NEEDHAM & COMPANY, INC.

For themselves and as
Lead Managers of the
several International Managers
named in Schedule 1 hereto


By:  LEHMAN BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE)

By_______________________
  Authorized Representative

                                      -26-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE 1
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
Underwriters                              Number of Shares
- ------------                              ----------------
<S>                                       <C>
 
Lehman Brothers International (Europe).
Cowen & Company........................
Needham & Company, Inc.................
 
Total..................................                  
                                           ---------------
</TABLE>

                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX A

              MATTERS TO BE COVERED IN OPINION OF COMPANY COUNSEL
              ---------------------------------------------------

          (i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as
     a corporation in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
     incorporation, is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as
     a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or
     leasing of property or the conduct of its business requires such
     qualification (except where non-qualification would not have a material and
     adverse affect on the business, properties, business prospects, condition
     (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Company and its
     subsidiaries taken as a whole (a "Material Adverse Effect")) and has the
     corporate power and authority necessary to own or hold its properties and
     conduct the businesses in which it is engaged; each of the U. S.
     subsidiaries of the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
     existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of its
     jurisdiction of incorporation; is duly qualified to do business and is in
     good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which its
     ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its business requires
     such qualification (except where non-qualification would not have a
     Material Adverse Effect) and has all corporate power and authority
     necessary to own or hold its properties and conduct the business in which
     it is engaged;

    
          (ii) The Company has capital stock authorized and outstanding as set
     forth in the Prospectus under the captions "Capitalization" and
     "Description of Capital Stock," and all of the issued and outstanding
     shares of capital stock of the Company (including the Stock delivered on
     the date of such opinion when issued in accordance with the terms of the
     Underwriting Agreement) have been duly authorized and validly issued, are
     fully paid and non-assessable and conform, in all material respects, to the
     description thereof contained in the Prospectus; the certificates for the
     Stock are in due and proper form under Delaware law; and all of the issued
     and outstanding shares of capital stock of each U. S. subsidiary of the
     Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
     non-assessable and are owned of record and, to the best of such counsel's
     knowledge, beneficially, directly or indirectly by the Company, to the best
     of such counsel's knowledge free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,
     equities or claims except as set forth in the notes to the Consolidated
     Financial Statements of the Company contained in the Prospectus;       

    
          (iii)   There are no preemptive or other rights to subscribe for or to
     purchase, nor any restriction upon the voting or transfer of, any shares of
     Common Stock pursuant to the Company's charter or by-laws or any agreement
     or other instrument known to such counsel, other than those which have been
     waived or which will terminate upon the redemption of the Company's Series
     A and Series C Preferred Stock and the closing of the Offering;        

                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
          (iv) To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than as set
     forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings
     pending or threatened against the Company which are required to be
     disclosed in the Prospectus;

    
          (v) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration
     Statement,  was declared effective under the Securities Act as of the date
     and time specified in such opinion, the Prospectus was filed with the
     Commission pursuant to the subparagraph of Rule 424(b) of the Rules and
     Regulations specified in such opinion on the date specified therein, and no
     stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has
     been issued and, to the knowledge of such counsel, no proceeding for that
     purpose is pending or threatened by the Commission;       

          (vi) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
     Registration Statement, and the Prospectus and any further amendments or
     supplements thereto (other than the financial statements and related
     schedules and notes therein and other financial and statistical data, as to
     which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as to form in all
     material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules
     and Regulations, and when they were filed with the Commission complied as
     to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities
     Act and the Rules and Regulations (other than the financial statements and
     related schedules and notes therein and other financial and statistical
     data, as to which such counsel need express no opinion);

          (vii)   The statements under the captions "Description of Capital
     Stock" and "Shares Eligible For Future Sale" in the Prospectus, insofar as
     such statements constitute a summary of documents referred to therein or
     matters of law, are accurate summaries in all material respects and fairly
     and correctly present the information called for with respect to such
     documents and matters;

          (viii)   To the best of such counsel's knowledge, there are no
     contracts or other documents which are required to be described in the
     Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement by the
     Securities Act or by the Rules and Regulations which have not been
     described or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement;

          (ix)  This Agreement  and the International Underwriting Agreement
     have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

          (x) The issue and sale of the Stock being delivered on the date of
     such opinion by the Company and the performance by the Company of its
     obligations under this Agreement  and the International Underwriting
     Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
     thereby do not conflict with or result in a material breach or violation of
     any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a material default under,
     any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement
     or instrument known to such counsel to which the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
     is bound or to which any of the 

                                      -29-
<PAGE>
 
    
     property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject,
     nor will such actions result in any violation of the provisions of the
     charter or by-laws of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any statute
     or any order, rule or regulation known to such counsel of any court or
     governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of
     its subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets (it being understood
     that such counsel need express no opinion as to the antifraud provisions of
     any Federal or state securities laws or Blue Sky Laws); and, except for the
     registration of the Stock under the Securities Act and such consents,
     approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be
     required under the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations of the NASD, and
     applicable state or foreign securities laws in connection with the purchase
     and distribution of the Stock by the U.S. Underwriters and International
     Managers, no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing or
     registration with, any such court or governmental agency or body is
     required for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or
     the International Underwriting Agreement by the Company and the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and
     

         
          (xi) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, except as disclosed in
     the Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings
     between the Company and any person granting such person the right (other
     than rights which have been waived or satisfied) to require the Company to
     file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any
     securities of the Company owned or to be owned by such person or to require
     the Company to include such securities in the securities registered
     pursuant to the Registration Statement or in any securities being
     registered pursuant to any other registration statement filed by the
     Company under the Securities Act.       

          Such counsel shall also have furnished to the Lead Managers a written
     statement, addressed to the U.S. Underwriters and the International
     Managers and dated as of the applicable Closing Date to the effect that (x)
     such counsel  has acted as counsel to the Company in connection with the
     preparation of the Registration Statement and in connection therewith has
     participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the
     Company, and representatives of the independent public accountants for the
     Company, at which conferences the contents of the Registration Statement
     and the Prospectus and related matters were discussed, and (y) based on the
     foregoing, no facts have come to the attention of such counsel which lead
     it to believe that the Registration Statement or Prospectus, as of the
     Effective Date, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
     omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
     in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or that any 462(b)
     Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as of its date and as of a
     Delivery Date, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
     state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
     to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
     they were made, not misleading (provided that such counsel need express no
     view with respect to the financial statements and the related schedules and
     notes and other financial or statistical data included therein).  The
     foregoing opinion and statement may be qualified by a statement to the
     effect that such counsel does not

                                      -30-
<PAGE>
 
     assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the
     statements contained in the Registration Statement, any 462(b) Registration
     Statement or the Prospectus except for the statements made in the
     Prospectus under the captions "Description of Capital Stock" and "Shares
     Eligible For Future Sale" insofar as such statements relate to the Stock
     and concern legal matters.

                                      -31-
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX B
                                    -------

       MATTERS TO BE COVERED IN OPINION OF PATENT COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

               (i) Schedules I and II to such opinion identify, as of
     [applicable Closing Date], all U.S. patents and U.S. patent applications
     known to such counsel and filed by the Company in which the Company
     currently has an interest.  As of [recent specified date], the Company was
     listed in the records of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the "PTO")
     as a holder of record of each of the patents and patent applications listed
     in Schedule I.  The patent rights to the patents and patent applications
     listed in Schedule I, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, have been
     assigned to the Company.  Based on a search of the documents of record in
     the PTO as of [recent specified date], a review of the Company records
     through that date, and a review of the certificate of an officer of the
     Company, such counsel has no knowledge of any facts which would preclude
     the Company from having clear title to the patents and patent applications
     listed in  Schedule I.  As of [recent specified date], the Company was a
     licensee of each of the patents and patent applications listed in Schedule
     II.  The patent rights to the patents and patent applications listed in
     Schedule II, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, have been assigned to
     the licensor of each such patent or patent application.  Based on a search
     of the documents of record in the PTO as of [recent specified date], such
     counsel has no knowledge of any facts which would preclude the Company from
     having valid license rights under the patents and patent applications
     listed in Schedule II.

               (ii) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, none of the claims
     of the patents set forth in Schedules I and II is invalid or unenforceable.
     Each of the applications set forth in Schedule[s] I [and II] is pending in
     the PTO, and such counsel is unaware of any defects in the prosecution of
     any such application that would irrevocably foreclose the grant of patent
     rights thereunder.

               (iii)  To the best of such counsel's knowledge, other than the
     actions pending in the United States District Court between the Company and
     EG&G (the "EG&G Action") and between the Company and AS&E (the "AS&E
     Action"), there is no pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding, or
     claim by others that the Company is infringing any patent.

               (iv) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, other than review
     of pending patent applications and the EG&G Action, there are no legal or
     governmental proceedings pending relating to the patents or applications
     set forth in Schedules I and II, other than review of pending applications
     for patent, including appeal proceedings, and to the best of such counsel's
     knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by
     governmental authorities or others.

               (v) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, other than the EG&G
     Action, there is no pending action, suit, proceeding or claim by others
     challenging the validity or enforceability of any claim of the patents set
     forth in Schedules I and II.  To

                                      -32-
<PAGE>
 
     the best of such counsel's knowledge, there is no interference proceeding
     or public use proceeding with respect to any patent or patent application
     set forth in Schedules I or II.

               (vi) Based on a review of material including U.S. Patent No.
     4,366,382 and the Company's automated inspection systems as they have been
     and are currently made, no valid claim of U.S. Patent No. 4,366,382 is
     infringed by such systems.

               (vii)  Based on a review of material including U.S. Patent Nos.
     4,482,957; 4,511,799; 4,768,214; 4,799,247; 4,825,454; 4,893,015;
     5,253,283; and 5,313,511 and the Company's automated inspection systems as
     they have been and are made, no valid claim of such patents is infringed by
     such systems.

                                      -33-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17

                                  BONUS PLANS
                                  -----------


     The Company maintains an informal bonus program for certain employees,
including executive officers, under which such employees may be awarded
discretionary cash bonuses based upon the Chief Executive Officer's subjective
evaluation of individual performance and the performance of the Company during
the year.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                 
                                                              EXHIBIT 23.02     
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
  As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
reports and to all references to our Firm included in or made a part of this
registration statement.
 
                                          Arthur Andersen LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
   
November 20, 1996     


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