The TSA said it was exploring whether to modify, upgrade or scrap the trace-detection portals, which are sometimes called puffers because they circulate air to search for explosive residue, The New York Times (NYSE:NYT) reported Sunday.

"We are seeing some issues that we did not anticipate," TSA Chief Technology Officer Randy Null said.

The delay is the most recent problem to face the federal government's bomb detection technology. Domestic security officials and Congress have blamed poor management, turf battles, high staff turnover and inadequate financing for TSA's failure to implement recommended upgrades to the security system.

"Continuing to follow the slow, jumbled and disconnected path taken by TSA and Homeland Security in the last five years is no longer acceptable," said Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., chairman of a House panel that oversees aviation security. "The whole program has been haphazard. And the result is that still today we have a series of outdated technology that does little but search for metal or guns."