IC Realtime has developed a silent, rapidly-deployable aerial surveillance solution that provides law enforcement, border patrol and special event personnel the ability to remotely monitor events taking place in large areas.
Called PLAS (Persistent Low Altitude Surveillance), the solution is comprised of a flight deck and imaging unit attached to a tactical-grade balloon that is released into the air by security personnel on the ground via a carbon fiber power tether/mini CAT6 cable.
PLAS may also be battery-operated.
PLAS can be used stationary or attached to personnel or vehicles to move about areas of interest.
Because the system requires no propulsion, its silent operation makes it advantageous for drone hunting/deterring operations. While normally flown at 250-feet, it may be deployed as high as 455-feet.e)
The PLAS flight deck is a 6- x 3- x 3-inch carbon fiber housing that contains all command, control, and communications equipment (i.e. the brains for the system), as well as on-board microphones for drone detection.
These integrated components provide encrypted communications to either fixed or mobile command center(s) as well as authorized mobile users. Total weight of the flight deck including an imaging unit is 5 pounds.
PLAS is compatible with any of IC Realtime’s video, thermal imaging and infrared cameras.
Air sampling sensors such as CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense) can also be deployed through the PLAS on-board network connection.
(Learn about IC Realtime I-Sniper cameras, courtesy of IC Realtime and YouTub
At present PLAS is delivered with an IC Realtime I-Sniper nighttime camera (.0 lux light handling capability).
Communications are sent by point-to-multipoint 5.8 GHz or public safety frequencies.
Transmission is sent via IP connectivity (as opposed to traditional remote control) which makes it possible for one operator to control multiple PLAS systems at once (for example a wide variety of control commands, or pan, tilt, and zoom of cameras, etc.).
This makes the PLAS system unlike other aerial platforms.
The PLAS balloon system is both industrial and tactical grade.
Designed by Altametry Aerostatic Engineering located in Miami, FL, it is comprised of an inner bladder and outer balloon that has a 6-foot circumference.
Depending on the mission, the balloon is filled with either hydrogen or helium.
Ideal applications for PLAS include border protection; emergency management, natural disasters and security, public safety, and intrusion defense at large-scale special events.
PLAS was recently flown at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens; the Homestead Motor Speedway Sprint Cup; the Fort Lauderdale international Boat Show; the Daytona 500 race and ULTRA Festival in South Beach, FL.
Parties interested in PLAS can contact IC Realtime Government Practice and Law Enforcement Division Director Robert Mitchell at robertmitchell@icrealtime.com or 631.455.2001.
IC Realtime is an American-owned and operated digital surveillance and technology product innovator and manufacturer that serves many facets of the government, military, commercial and residential channels.
The company’s mission statement is to innovate, deliver and support global video technology.
IC Realtime’s technological breakthroughs include pioneering the introduction of the Cloud Video Recorder™ and most recently the ground-breaking IC720 360° x 360° situational awareness video surveillance camera.
