In the present paper, we used the MCNPX code for the feasibility of the design of a conceptional explosives detection system based on a neutron source generated by a ۱۰ MeV electron linear accelerator (LINAC). In this study, an optimized e–γ–n converter (as a suitable neutron source) has been used for explosives detection based on thermal neutron activation analysis (TNAA) (a nondestructive technique for materials analysis). After optimization, total and thermal neutron fluxes of ۴.۷۸ × ۱۰۸ ± ۰.۶۳% (n/cm۲ mA s) and ۳.۹۵ × ۱۰۸ ± ۰.۶۹% (n/cm۲ mA s) could be obtained, respectively. Twelve LaBr۳ (۳-inch) scintillator detectors have been simulated in order to calculate the response function (by the F۸ tally) and to obtain a spectrum of prompt gamma of six common explosives (TNT, PETN, RDX, HMX, NG and EGDN). In these spectra, peaks of the prompt gamma of the hydrogen and nitrogen at ۲.۲۲۳ MeV and ۱۰.۸۲۹ MeV were observed, respectively, as the first indicator for explosives detection. The ratio of the counts under the peaks for H and N (as the second indicator for explosives detection) were also calculated. Finally, we verified the obtained results of the simulation with the theory and we showed that the results of theory and simulation have a good agreement. Therefore, the results revealed that using a ۱۰ MeV LINAC can be a good alternative for TNAA and also for explosive detection.