ICx Technologies [ICXT] has received a three-year, $9.4 million contract to be the lead technology integrator for the Joint Force Protection Advanced Security System (JFPASS), which will involve the networking of various sensor types into a common operating picture for fixed site military installations as well as expeditionary bases.
The project, which consists of a development effort as well as a series of technology demonstrations beginning next year and continuing into 2010, is the first attempt at joint force protection instead of providing a solution to a particular military service, David Cullin, senior vice president for Technology Transition at ICx, tells TR2. “We’re working to requirements and concepts of operation to satisfy what all the services want and they each view the problem differently and deal with this stuff differently. The goal is to satisfy four different customers with one solution.” He adds that the solution ultimately needs to have flexibility so that it can be tailored to meet each customer’s requirements.
In addition to integrating a system-of-systems to meet joint requirements for comprehensive situational awareness and force protection, JFPASS intends to reduce manning needs and logistics costs.
JFPASS is a Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD), which used to be known as Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations. The goals of JCTDs are to demonstrate, operationally assess and then quickly deploy solutions that fill joint service gaps. According to the Pentagon’s JCTD Office web site, over 75 percent of JCTDs and ACTDS have transitioned capabilities to operational fielding since these types of program efforts began in 1995. The JCTDs are driven by the U.S. Combatant Commands based on their stated operational priorities and needs.
Ultimately, if ICx’ solution meets the joint service needs, Cullin says there will be opportunities to transition it to existing and new programs of record. That’s why this is a key strategic win for ICx, he says.
The sensors involved in the solution will include traditional installation protection systems such as cameras and ground surveillance radars for perimeter security as well as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives systems (CBRNE). “There are a lot of stovepipes out there,” he says. “This integration hasn’t been done before.”
Cullin breaks the challenges down into three main areas: integration; automation; and fusion. The integration challenge is about getting all the data to into the same place, which will be a common operating picture (COP).
The automation challenge comes down to getting the various sensors to work together. For example, he says, if something is detected along a fence line, then appropriate assets may need to be automatically sent there.
The fusion challenge comes down to developing new algorithms that look at the way things happen in time, the spatial and temporal aspects of what is being observed, and then having the response work flows integrated into the protection system via the COP, Cullin says. This will give command and control operators a “faster way to take action,” he says.
For example, he says, if a chemical sensor goes off, plume modeling software that is part of the solution would inform operators where the contamination is likely to spread so that personal protective equipment is worn in particular areas.
The contract is with the Joint Program Manager Guardian, which is part of the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense.
ICx will undertake two demonstrations of its solution in 2009, both at Eglin AFB, Fla. In the second demonstration Defense Department testers will conduct a military utility assessment.
Once those demonstrations are done, then there will be two operational demonstrations at an air base in Germany beginning toward the end of 2009. If those are successful, then the system will be left in place to operate as intended for base security, Cullin says. That would open the door for additional business opportunities, he says.
In addition to being a potentially strategic win for ICx, it also demonstrates the company’s ability to take on larger primes. Northrop Grumman [NOC] also competed for the work.
For JFPASS, ICx will be supplying its DefendIR cameras, STS 1400 Ground Surveillance Radars, Fastgate explosive detection system, its CohesionIF software that fuses ICx and third-party sensors with existing electronic security and force protection systems, and Cameleon software, which is an advanced camera control system.
ICx’ teammates and their respective products that will be integrated into JFPASS include:
- Bruhn Newtech–Tiger IM (an incident management capability)
- Honeywell [HON]–Vindicator Intrusion Detection System
- Vumii–Discoverii Camera
- Future Fiber Technologies–Fence Sensor
- Smiths Detection–GID-3 24/7 Chemical Agent Detector
- RAE Systems [RAE]–gas sensing
- Thermo Fischer Scientific [TMO]–Commercial Spectroscopic Radiation Portal (ICx provides a large portion of the electronics in the system)
- Bosch–Fixed Cameras
- ioimage–Video Encoders
- Kylmar–Cameras
- Shotspotter, Inc.–Sniper Detection
- Northrop Grumman–TASS Unattended Ground Sensors
- Gatekeeper Security–Under Vehicle Inspection System
- Government Furnished Equipment (some unmanned ground vehicles)