TOWARDS PROVIDING AN EFFICIENTINTEGRATED AIRBORNE SUPPORT

CAPABILITY TO S.A. BORDER SECURITY OPERATIONS: A NON-TRADITIONAL ISR APPROACH.

GEOFFREY QUICK - MARCH 9TH 2011

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The Traditional “NATO” Imagery Intelligence Tasking Cycle

• The imagery cycle is used as an integrated component of the overall air operations cycle, typically on a daily planning basis.

Tasking

Planning

ExecutionInterpretation

Dissemination

SOME CHARACTERICS OF THE TRADITIONAL IMAGERY TASKING CYCLE

a. Often time consuming in generating a response for those on the ground - typically linked to a daily tasking cycle.

b. Tending towards inflexibility with dedicated and costly recce platforms: tied into a long command chain.c. Difficult to integrate with opportunity systems availability and events.

d. Does, however, provide a verified “Q.A.’d ” product at the end of the chain.

• The Non -Traditional Imagery Tasking Cycle• Typified by SniperPod/ROVER Terminal

Execution

Planning

Interpretation

Real-time FMV ImageryInterpretation

& cueingon airborne platform

Real time annotated Airborne FMV Display on Ground terminal

Response decision agreed

Air/ground

Tasking

Dissemination

SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF NON-TRADITIONAL ISR

(P.E.D.)PROCESS EXPLOITATION DISSEMINATE)

a. Extremely fast and interactive response: short “sensor to shooter” cycle.b. Use of FMV an aid to easier interpretation particularly regarding intention.

c. Can be fitted on primary non- recce- platforms.

d. Inherently flexible in its applications, particularly as operator experience is gained.

f. However, by its very nature, potentially more open for some errors : e.g. Blue on Blue.

e. Integratable with traditIonal Recce cycle via “Reach-back” to remote Joint Int. Centre.

Some Suggested Characteristics of S.A. Peacetime Airborne Border Security Support Operations

a. Operations will be Day/Night

b. Operations will involve ground based border control elements.

c. Operations will often be close to territory of neighbouring countries.

e. An element of inshore littoral patrolling is likely.

f. Various agencies may well have involvement.

d. The direct threat to the operating platforms will normally be low.

a. Operations will be Day/Nighti.Sensor fit has to be day/night capable. Real Time Video (RTV) needed for good NT-ISR interpretation of activity.

iii. Implication is that the platform be capable of sustained medium/low level operation to support Optical/IR sensor pack.

ii. Radar is not ideal for tracking small non-metallic bodies. Active optical night time systems such as Nitesun lack covertness. However, Optical /IR sensor system proven for operating in this environment.

b. Operations will involve ground based Border Control elements.

i. Operations will involve players from differing cultures and ‘modus operandi’. Close liaison with those on the ground is essential.

iii. The establishment of higher regional joint operations facility is implied to co-ordinate and monitor activity up to a national level.

ii. Local platform /system that can operate close to and in direct support of Border control ground elements is desirable.

c. Operations will often be close to the territory of neighbouring

countries.

i. Associated Airborne activity to border control activity must be innocuous and non-threatening.

iii. Collateral Imagery required cross-border should be obtained either by long range oblique sensing or by commercial imaging satellite.

ii. Thus platforms must themselves be non-threatening and normally confined to national airspace.

i. Countermeasures systems, typically on combat aircraft need not be employed.

iii. The crew/platform training and operations cost implications can be minimised.

ii. A civilian aircraft and crew could be utilised to operate the airborne sensor system and ground data link.

d. The direct threat to the operating platforms will normally be low.

i. South Africa has a long coastline which, with its associated ports and harbours, presents challenges to overall border security.

iii. A maritime AIS system can be integrated in to the sensor suite to aid inshore surveillance elements of overall Border Security operations.

ii. An established airborne Border Security support system using Optical/FLIR systems can be flexed into operating in support of inshore maritime patrol.

e. An element of inshore littoral patrolling is likely.

i. For effective integration of effort the concept of a regional multi user/ multi disciplinary centre is attractive.

iii. By providing a “reach- back” facility to direct support units, overall planning and integration of input ( e.g. Commercial Satellite Imagery and GIS/GEOINT products) can be centralised and rationalised.

ii. This would be located centrally and provide overall policy and coordination of effort to border operations.

f. Various agencies may well have involvement.

iv. Such overall capability can support other activities in extremis , e.g. Policing or Disaster management)

Remote SensingImagery Interpretation

Regional /CulturalUnderstanding

THE INTERLOCKING SKILL SETS REQUIREMENT IN SUPPORT OF BORDER SECURITY JOINT IMAGERY INTERPRETATION

UNCLASSIFIED/OFFICIAL USE ONLY

IRBrightness

Laser Modes

Laser Status

A lightweight Optical /FLIR system with data link

FLIR CAMERA – WESCAM L3 Sonoma M14

Weight: 74#Power Consumption: 200WOperating Temp: -40 to +55deg CField of Regard: 360 deg AZ +20 to -120 deg EL

Target Detect(km)

Recognize (km) Identify (km)

Man 8 (6) 2 (3) 1

Truck (4m) 15 4 2

Tank (10m) >20 >10 >4

A Suggested Sensor Package

Advantagesa. Fast transit into area and with enhanced survivability.

Disadvantages

a. Extremely aggressive high impact statement both to local civilians and to political neighbours.

b. High direct and indirect operating costs.

c. Inappropriate use of a vital air asset.

Platform options.1.Military “fast jet’ Reconnaissance /attack aircraft

Advantages

a. Capable of legally imaging neighbouring territory, ideal for planning and area analysis.

Disadvantages

a. Long tasking response loop nothing approaching real time.

b. No persistence over target area . No FMV yet .

c. Only RADAR available for night time observation.

Platform options.2. Imaging satellite

Hunter

Advantagesa. Low impact system.

Disadvantages

a. Systems still gaining confidence regarding issues such as overall reliability and indirect operating costs.

b. Problems flying in controlled airspace/integration with manned aircraft operations.

c. Overall Control loop still perceived as eroding situational awareness.

Platform options.3. Uninhabited Air vehicle

b. Good Persistence over target area.

Advantagesa.. Flexible medium/low level platform

Disadvantages

a. Comparatively high operating costs for platform size. b. Can still be seen as an aggressive platform.

c. Again a critical inventory item with capabilities beyond this requirement .

Platform options.3. Helicopter

b. Capable of forward operation from unprepared sites in close liaison with ground elements.

Advantages

a. Low procurement and operating costs.

Disadvantages

c. Low impact, unaggressive platform.

a. Slow transit requires use near to deployed sites.

b. Limited to fairly lightweight sensor sytems

Platform options.3. Civilian Light Aircraft.

b. Capable of forward operation from basic airstrips in close liaison with ground elements.

UNCLASSIFIED/OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Economical Manned Airborne ISRConcept System Description

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UNCLASSIFIED/OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Overview

Description: Moving Target International (MTI), in

cooperation with Dragoon Technologies (a US DoD Contractor) is actively developing an economical ISR platform for world-wide use.

Recent Events: Completed two similar integration tasks in

2009 for US AgenciesFormed a PI-based company to handle in-

country requirements (MTI) Completed preliminary design review of PI system with FAA-compliance

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UNCLASSIFIED/OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Economical Manned Airborne ISRSystem Description

Cessna 182IFR equipped w/GPS and ICOM VHF Comms

L-3 Wescam M-14 Day/Night (excl. cloud cover) Single M14 belly mount Twin M14 config w/ARM extension

Dragoon 3DL LOS L-band Link >100km range portable ground receivers

Co-pilot is ISR OperatorMission duration 4-5hrs max.

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UNCLASSIFIED/OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Economical Manned Airborne ISR

Design ConsiderationsLightweight, modular, expandable ISRMinimal equipment infrastructure to support space constrained installattions.M-14 has unique sparing potentialEnhanced video quality due to onboard processingFlight certified componentsField-Maintainable/Sustainable

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System DescriptionDaytime Color Sensors

• Color Zoom Sensor• Progressive Zoom

• Color Spotter Sensor

• Fixed FOV• Digital Zoom 2X,4X

System DescriptionNight-time Spotter

• Color Day and CMCCD share 1000mm spotter lens

• Low-light ID with 2-3x better resolution vs. IR

• ID of persons, vehicle, letters at low light levels

• Benefits over I2 tube technology

• CMCCD daytime capable w/o burnout unlike I2

Long Range Low-Light Identification

Day Color Spotter

Night CMCCD Spotter

MX-14’s Digital IR Camera Delivers the Best

Flight-Proven Range Performance

Narrow FOV Very Narrow FOV

Wide FOV Intermediate FOV

System DescriptionIR Sensor

2NM Range to Target

UNCLASSIFIED/OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Economical Manned Airborne ISR System Features and

Capabilities-15i HandController

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Camera ARM extension for M14 FLIR

Moving Map Display

Digital Data Link

UNCLASSIFIED//OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Icaros provides an end-to-end system which enables the automatic creation of precise mapping data based on high-resolution aerial photography - with or without an existing geographic database. BordersGovernments need to combat illegal immigration, smuggling of drugs/prostitutes, and other criminal activities related to border control. Despite sophisticated electronic and other surveillance measures, it is extremely difficult to prevent illegal border crossings, particularly in desolate locations along long borders. Even in cases where tampering is immediately detected by electronic means, by the time security forces arrive at the scene the smugglers are long gone. Icaros can be used to provide very accurate and up-to-date information regarding tampering or gaps in the fence, as well as identifying trails used by smugglers. High-resolution images with exact geographic information indicate where and how the border has been compromised. Once this information is known, ambushes can be set up to apprehend the criminals. Icaros can also be used to help resolve border disputes between countries or states. The precise mapping information generated by the system can be used to verify the accuracy of physical borders. In the event of discrepancies, the border can be corrected based on the information provided by the system.  Click here to read about Defence  

Basic high resolution imagery

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UNCLASSIFIED//OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Basic high-resolution imagery plus contours ( example of simple “reach back” support product)

UNCLASSIFIED//OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Example of typical inshore surveillance imagery in support of Border Security

UNCLASSIFIED//OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Recent high-resolution imagery ( in support of Disaster management)

Any Questions?

Please note brochures and contact details are available for Dragoon Technologies and ASI.

Further information is available on:

www.dragoon.aero/site/index.html

www.afrispace.org/

Or e-mail Geoff Quick on

harakahouse@gmail.com