French Airport Deploys Smiths Detection’s Centralized Remote Screening Platform
Smiths Detection says that Toulouse-Blagnac Airport will deploy its new Checkpoint.Evo software solution that will allow the airport to integrate the screening systems at security checkpoints for remote image analysis at a centralized location. The centralized remote screening helps speed up inspection of carry-on bags because image evaluation and alarm resolution from, for example, X-Ray scanners, can be centrally monitored away from the distractions of the checkpoint and with more efficiency. The system also has recheck functions to electronically mark suspicious areas in bags to enable more focused inspections by officers at the checkpoint, allowing for faster throughput and decrease waiting times in line. Checkpoint.Evo was developed by Smiths Detection in partnership with Canada’s Optosecurity. The airport is the first in France to install the system, which will complete its deployment by July. Smiths Detection is part of Smiths Group.
Logos Technologies Demonstrates Wide-Area Sensor on Aerostat
Logos Technologies says it recently successfully demonstrated it’s new, lightweight wide area persistent surveillance sensor aboard a tethered aerostat at aerostat manufacturer TCOM, L.P.’s Persistent Surveillance Solutions Center of Excellence in Elizabeth City, N.C. The demonstration in February proved the maturity of the Simera sensor for both military and civilian customers, says Logos. Simera was able to locate and track targets of interest over a city-sized area in real time,” says John Marion, president of Logos, adding “it TiVo-like recording function allowed operators to analyze activity captured within Simera’s 360-degree field of view.” The 40-pound sensor system can be flown on smaller, fast-to-deploy tactical aerostats and works in conjunction with a high resolution, full-motion video sensor. Simera is based on the company’s much larger Kestrel system which integrates infrared and electro-optical with full motion video capacity and has been used at forward operating bases in Afghanistan since 2011 for force protection operations. Simera is not subject to the same export restrictions as Kestrel, Logos says.
Aware Introduces Cluster Computing Platform for Scalable Biometrics
Biometrics software and services provider Aware, Inc. [AWRE] has introduced a scalable cluster computing platform named Astra that is optimized for performing large-scale identity-related security tasks, including biometric search and de-duplication, biometric authentication, and identity analytics. Astra is algorithm agnostic but also works with Aware’s various biometrics search and match software development kits, analytics and services platform. “Astra’s algorithm independence extends Aware’s modular software design approach to large scale computing tasks within the biometrics realm and beyond,” says David Benini, vice president of Marketing at Aware. “By leveraging open source infrastructure to achieve scalability, we help ensure that the platform is sufficiently reliable and well-supported to withstand the demands of consumer-oriented security applications as they grow.”
Harris Completes Public Safety Communications System for Maine
Harris Corp. [HRS] has completed integration of a statewide public safety communications system for Maine, marking the first time agency users cross jurisdictions and departments can communicate over a single, emergency communications network. Harris deployed its voice, interoperability, data, access VIDA Network technology for the system. The Project 25 VHF digital radio system, called MSCommNet, features 40 transmit-and-receive sites, seven dispatch centers, and interoperability with more than 2,000 users from various state agencies as well as county and local agencies. “The MSCommNet network provides unprecedented improvements to enhance the effectiveness of Maine’s law enforcement and state agency teams,” says Greg McNeal, chief technology officer with Maine’s Office of Information Technology. “Our customers are extremely satisfied with the quality and the increased radio coverage Harris has delivered. With MSCommNet, our state agencies, no matter where in the field they are working, are connected.”
Florida Sheriff’s Office Deploys MorphoTrak Mobile ID System
MorphoTrak says that Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has successfully deployed the company’s mobile identification system that allows officers in the field to capture and search fingerprints against state and national FBI databases from any location. The solution consists of a Morpho Maestro gateway for system communications and 65 cell phone-size MorphoIDent mobile devices for capturing fingerprints in the field. “Maestro is a powerful tool that enhances the benefit of the mobile devices,” says Bill Schade, fingerprint records manager for Pinellas County. “In the short time we have had the system, it has already had a significant effect on our ability to deliver security to our citizens and deputies.” MorphoTrak is part of the Safran Group.
Coast Guard Takes Delivery Of Eighth C-130J Surveillance Aircraft
The Coast Guard last week accepted delivery of its eighth C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin [LMT] for use in long-range surveillance missions. The aircraft will next be outfitted with radars and sensors and other specialized equipment by Lockheed Martin with plans to finish the missionization in early 2016. A seventh C-130J in the Coast Guard’s inventory began the same missionization process in February. The Coast Guard currently operates six HC-130Js, which are used for search and rescue, drug and migrant interdiction, cargo and personnel transport, and maritime stewardship missions. In addition to the six in operation and two beginning the missionization process, a ninth aircraft is completing the assembly process at Lockheed Martin’s Marietta facility in Georgia. In addition, two more aircraft are under contract, with deliveries slated for 2016 and 2017, and funding for a 12th plane was included in the FY ’15 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. Earlier in March, the Coast Guard issued a Request for Proposal for C-130J missionization to incorporate the next-generation Minotaur Mission System Suite in the long-range surveillance planes. The planned contract would include options for missionization of up to five new C-130Js and retrofit modifications of seven legacy mission system suite aircraft.
KEYW Acquires Two Companies Involved In Cyber Security
KEYW Corp. [KEYW] has acquired two-Maryland based companies involved in cyber security and other information technology capabilities and has created a new business sector aimed at inserting the company’s technologies in to new markets. Terms of the deals for Ponte Technologies and Milestone Intelligence Group were not disclosed. PonteTec, which was founded in 2007, was acquired last week and Milestone, founded in 2010, in January. The new sector is called Emerging Technologies and Markets (ETM) and will be led by Dick Schaeffer, a new hire by KEYW who was previously led his own consulting firm after retiring as director of Information Assurance at the National Security Agency. PonteTec and Milestone form the core of ETM, which will focus on new markets, identifying emerging technologies with potential for organic growth, and identify and shape opportunities for new technology solutions, KEYW says. “A critical part of KEYW’s growth strategy is to continue our efforts to go down a ‘horizontal path,’” says Len Moodispaw, president and CEO of KEYW. “The horizontal path leverages KEYW’s deep technology experience in solving some of the intelligence community’s most difficult problems to develop new solutions, new products, and new markets to enhance organic growth. Under Dick’s leadership, I expect ETM will play a significant role in executing this strategy. The acquisitions of Ponte Technologies and Milestone Intelligence Group will serve as accelerators in key technology areas such as cyber security, cloud computing, and test and evaluation engineering.”