Customs and Border Protection soon will begin evaluating new mobile surveillance solutions for border security from a number of manufacturers after awarding contracts for the systems last fall.
Elbit Systems of America last week delivered its four Modular Mobile Surveillance Systems (M2S2) to CBP for operational evaluation and testing at different locations around the U.S. in the coming months, Joel Friederich, vice president of C4I and Homeland Security Systems at the company, tells HSR.
Last September, CBP, through the Defense Logistics Agency, awarded Atlantic Diving & Supply Co. $5.2 million for four M2S2 systems. Atlantic Diving in turn contracted with Elbit for the actual integrated sensor systems and platform.
Friederich said that Elbit is working directly with CBP with on the job training and support for the evaluations.
In addition to Atlantic Diving, CBP, again through DLA, also awarded M2S2 contracts to two other small companies. Tactical and Survival Specialties received a $3.1 million award to provide four systems and W.S. Darley & Co. received $4.7 million for four units. HSR by our deadline did not learn which integrators these companies were working with under the M2S2 contracts.
CBP previously acquired multiple M2S2 units from FLIR Systems [FLIR] for operational test and evaluation by Border Patrol agents, a CBP official said in April 2019.
The Border Patrol wants mobile surveillance capabilities, whether vehicle mounted or through relocatable towers, so that it can move quickly to where illegal traffic is and enhance situational awareness.
Elbit System of America, the U.S.-based subsidiary of Israel’s Elbit Systems [ESLT], already provides CBP with the Integrated Fixed Tower program, which is deployed along stretches of the southwest border. The IFT systems include electro-optic and infrared cameras, radar, and related communications.
Elbit’s M2S2 vehicle-mounted solution is “scalable and modular” and features short, medium and long-range surveillance sensors, radar, command and control, and backhaul communications to Border Patrol sectors that enable the data to be viewed, and sensors operated, remotely and be integrated with the company’s TORCH common operating picture platform in certain sectors, Friederich says.
Congress provided $15 million to CBP in fiscal year 2020 for the M2S2 program and the agency is seeking the same amount of funding for the program in FY ’21.
FLIR provides CBP with the Mobile Surveillance Capability, a vehicle-mounted system that includes electro-optic and infrared cameras, a radar, and a command and control software. The company also provides the agency with the Lightweight Video Surveillance System, which also includes day/night cameras and radar.