In response to recent United States Customs and Border Protection initiatives along the U.S. southern border, Applied Research Associates’ Security Products Division has released its Pathfinder sensor system design to improve border patrol agent efficiency and protection, reduce costs associated with individual pursuits, and prevent the defeat and/or compromise of anticipated border wall construction.
Pathfinder, is the next generation of our Expendable Unattended Ground Sensor (E-UGS) system. Pathfinder allows users to remotely monitor human foot traffic over wide areas and with longer battery life than other products on the market.
Pathfinder works by seismically detecting ground disturbances and transmitting that information via radio communication up to 15 kilometers at ground level and in excess of 25 kilometers when elevated.
Placing several Pathfinder sensors in strategic locations allows users to identify threat movement patterns, routes, key locations, and intent, without adversaries knowing that they are being monitored and well BEFORE they can cause damage or inflict harm.
The covert nature of Pathfinder gives users more control over when and where to confront potential threats, thus, improving overall user decision-making ability and effectiveness of response.
E-UGS, the original ARA sensor solution, has caught the attention of multiple agencies including the U.S. military and government officials.
“This technology has been proven in Afghanistan and Iraq,” said ARA’s Chief of Counter Threat Technology Operations, Robert Jones in an interview with Inverse.
E-UGS have additionally been used around combat outposts to protect soldiers from surprise ambush by enemies, as well as in counter-recon/mortar/sniper roles and to monitor adversary route networks and behaviors.
Unlike other ground sensor systems on the market, Pathfinder’s sensors can also be distributed or dispersed irregularly throughout border related areas and terrain to provide agents unique insight into immigration, terrorism, and drug related movement corridors, patterns, and activities.
According to David Timian, Senior Vice President and Sector Manager at ARA, “Securing borders with Pathfinder is about the right space… not the whole space.”
“It’s about employing the minimum number of sensors to address immediate vulnerabilities FIRST and then progressively adding more, over time, as additional vulnerable areas are identified.”
By using Pathfinder’s point detection capability, agents can now identify and monitor potential threats quicker.
Pathfinder’s Key Product Attributes:
- Extended battery life (MINI sensor: 6-8 months; XL sensor: 24 months)
- Focused detection radii and point detection capability
- Long range detection reporting without the use of gateways and relays
- Signal exfiltration in line of sight, non-line of sight and beyond line of sight conditions
- Intelligent, machine learning algorithms
- High probability of detection and low false alarm rate
- Static and mobile detection receipt and monitoring
- Ruggedized sensor capable of withstanding a wide range of climates and terrains.
Applied Research Associates, is an international research and engineering company that provides solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences.
Our mission is to deliver in-depth and diversified research, engineering, and technical support services.
In support of our mission, we maintain a broad range of technical expertise in biomedical engineering, defense, civil engineering, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, and environmental technologies.
The PATHFINDER commodity has been classified in accordance with Export Administration Regulations ECCN [6A999.a]. Diversion contrary to U.S. Law is prohibited.
