Guest OpEd by Timothy Bean, CEO & Co-Founder of Fortem Technologies

Already this year there have been over 25 reported rocket and drone attacks – with the latest including an attack on an Iraqi base housing US troops.

This particular strike was part of a string of attacks on facilities in Iraq and Syria housing U.S. forces.

The Thaereen Brigade, a militia group, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was carried out with “booby-trapped drones,” – meaning the drones were the small, hobby-sized, and readily available types not developed for military use.

In April 2021, the Taliban attacked the Forward Operating Base Chapman, a classified US military installation in Afghanistan.

A second attack hit a water tower and a few rounds landed on the US base. The two attacks were followed by another in Kandahar near a NATO air base used by US troops who were on the ground supporting Afghan forces.

In addition to bases and mobile forces, a few weeks ago, a US military oil tanker was attacked by a drone.

It’s believed that this was a targeted and deliberate attack by Iran on the Israli-linked tanker located off Oman.

(A British security guard was among two crew members killed in what a UK source described as a suspected drone attack on an Israeli-linked oil tanker off Oman. Courtesy of Sky News and YouTube. Posted on Jul 30, 2021.)

These examples show a clear threat to US troops overseas – terrorist strikes using off the shelf, inexpensive, readily available drones.

It’s the first time since World War II that the U.S. has not controlled the airspace. Our service men and women need 360 degree airspace awareness and protection with 3D perimeters vs. sliding behind a linear pile of dirt.

The drone strike that hit Operating Base Chapman were reported to be rockets and large drones. The drone strike that hit in Kabul and the oil tanker were reported to be smaller drones.

This emerging drone threat has been referred to as “the Implemented Explosive Device (IED) of our generation,” and they’re terrifying.

The Department of Defense (DoD) is continually evaluating threats to the warfighter and to our national security.

In collaboration with industry, they test deep-tech solutions including artificial  intelligence and tiny sensors that detect, classify and capture unwanted drones.

Fortem Technologies, a defense contractor out of Utah, has developed a system to lock onto dangerous drones, capture them in a net, and bring them securely to the ground so neither civilians or communities are harmed.

These systems take down smaller drones, while systems using drogue nets disable larger drones and fixed wing aircraft, minimizing collateral damage in urban environments.

(See highlights from a SkyDome System test flight facility outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. Courtesy of Fortem Technologies and YouTube.)

Advanced, customizable radar is designed to integrate with existing systems to address challenging requirements including variables in the environment such as rain, wind, rough terrain and high temperatures.

The radar and its AI system can anticipate vulnerabilities and alert personnel, cue defensive measures or launch a drone to autonomously neutralize the dangerous or malicious drones.

The DoD takes drone threats seriously, prioritizing the need for increased security against small drones and the terrorist groups who use them.

But the increase in frequency of small drone attacks adds pressure to implement counter-drone systems quickly and to consider the many vulnerable sites overseas and in the U.S. that require protection.

Congress needs to enable this effort and ensure that both regulatory and monetary support for these scenarios is adequate in order to keep our warfighters, diplomats and even the public at large, safer.

About the Author

Timothy Bean is the Chief Executive Officer of Fortem Technologies, and brings more than 25 years of global executive experience successfully building businesses and technology startups in Silicon Valley.

Tim currently oversees the corporate direction and strategy for Fortem Technologies, responsible for all aspects of sales, product and service creation, delivery and customer service support.

Before founding Fortem Technologies in May 2016, Tim transitioned from vice president of engineering at his previous company to sales, providing strategic oversight for all programs and services with global reseller partners in Japan and throughout the world.

Related Technologies…

Drone Aviation Takes Platinum 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program

American Security Today’s ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards program is today in its Sixth Year and continues to recognize the Outstanding Innovations of top firms and agencies in the Homeland Security and Public Safety fields.

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

American Security Today is pleased to announce TSA Administrator  David Pekoske, will join the organization as a featured speaker at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Presentation Luncheon, on November 18, 2021 at ISC East in New York City.

“On the heels of an unprecedented global pandemic, continued unrest in our cities and potentially catastrophic cyberattacks on our nations critical infrastructure, the focus of the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon will be on the latest, state-of-the-art innovations that are driving investments in new public security and safety technologies and systems,” said AST Editorial and Managing Director Tammy Waitt.

“As a recognized expert in crisis management, strategic planning, innovation and aviation, surface transportation and maritime security, David Pekoske’s message highlighting his top priorities and challenges for the TSA based on his years of wide-ranging experience will be critical to our attendees internalizing the critical nature of these escalating challenges, and realizing innovative new approaches to meet them.”

Drone Aviation Corp

• Best Persistent Aerial Monitoring Solution 

• Winch Aerostat Small Platform (WASP)

• The WASP from Drone Aviation is a highly tactical and mobile tethered aerostat system with Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) sensors for agents & warfighters.

(See this brief 2019 Drone Aviation WASP+ WASP Lite product overview. Courtesy of Drone Aviation and YouTube.)

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

With the unprecedented occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of the safety and security industries has realized the need to increase innovations to address the daily growing challenges.

As such AST aims to make sure these firms and professionals are reflected in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, so we’d like to encourage you to submit appropriate categories recommendations and include COVID-19 Frontline Professionals in your Nominations to see that these Professionals, Facilities, and Vendors receive the Recognition they Deserve!

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

Register for the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Luncheon Today

At ISC East 2021 you with the opportunity to interact with a broad array of security industry professionals.

ISC East works closely with other businesses in the security and public safety space to help bring together the Northeast’s largest security trade show each year.

In collaboration with premier sponsor SIA (Security Industry Association) and in partnership with ASIS NYC, ISC East is proud to work with and be supported by various associations, trade publications, charities, and more.

Therefore, the ISC audience of security dealers, installers, integrators, consultants, corporate, government and law enforcement/first responder practitioners will be joined by the ASIS NYC audience of major corporate managerial-through-director-level national and global security executives.

The combination of one-on-one conversations with the industry’s top innovators,  integrators and security executives, special events, high-quality education and training, and strong support from industry associations, will allow attendees to learn and evaluate solutions from leading security exhibitors and brands. 

Your ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon registration includes complimentary attendee access to ISC East – Thank take advantage of this exclusive luncheon opportunity to take a break from the show – Invite your team, guests, clients and show visitors to a lovely and affordable plated meal event in the heart of New York City, for  a fabulous networking opportunity!

Go to https://americansecuritytoday.com/product/awards-luncheon/ to secure your seat or reserve a table.

***Limited space available so Register Today. There will be no on-site registrations.

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers eyes throughout the story with cutting edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

The AST Digital Publications is distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state and local levels.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

These experts are from Government at the federal, state and local level as well as from private firms allied to government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

To learn more about the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, Check Out the New 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2020 ‘A Year in Review’.

The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of the ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firms products and services, includes video interviews and more.

It is your Go-To source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2020 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

• For a complete list of 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, click here.

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

• Provides named sources
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• Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

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