By John Keller, Military & Aerospace Electronics
U.S. military researchers are reaching out to industry to find relative mature harbor and port security technologies able to detect and track swimmers and divers violating security perimeters in heavily protected harbors.
Officials of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Rapid Reaction Technology Office in Falls Church, Va., issued a request for information on Friday (RRTO-19-1-RFI-01) for the Stiletto/Thunderstorm Technology Demonstration set for next February in Key West, Fla.
The Stiletto/Thunderstorm project is looking for new ways of detection, tracking and identification of swimmers and divers in a port or harbor.
Demonstrations are to accelerate delivery of innovative capabilities to the warfighter.
Results of this effort will help inform decision makers of emerging and available technologies able to enhance or improve existing capabilities, as well as to uncover potential gaps between today’s needs and enabling technologies.
Researchers are interested in technologies ranging from breadboard demonstrators to proven systems.
Demonstrations will be over two weeks in February 2019 at a waterside location on or near Key West, Fla., that simulates a port or harbor with a defined security perimeter to protect ships and maritime facilities.
Water access and transit lanes are for maritime traffic entering and exiting the protected area.
A security team is monitoring the port or harbor for unauthorized entry and for the presence of swimmers and divers to include personnel using mechanical propulsion devices.
Security will be in force at all times and in all environmental conditions, even in high winds, rough seas, and engine and mechanical noise.
In this environment, researchers want to demonstrate technologies able to identify and track several different targets like swimmers and divers within a defined space to improve port and harbor security.
The goal is to improve underwater and surface situational awareness of stationary, slow-, or fast-moving people in the water.
After reviewing vendor applications, the government may invite candidates to brief and demonstrate their capabilities.
Companies interested should apply no later than 28 Sept. 2018.
Email requests for applications to Thunderstorm-SDD@arl.psu.edu. Email questions or concerns to Thunderstorm-SDD@arl.psu.edu.
More information is online at https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/OSD/RRTO/RRTO-19-1-RFI-01/listing.html.
Original post https://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2018/08/harbor-and-port-security-detect-and-track-swimmers-and-divers.html
