JORDAN BORDER CONTROL ACHIEVES OPERATIONAL STATUS
By Julian Nettlefold
DRS Technologies, Inc. announced AT AUSA that it has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the first phase of the Jordan Border Security Program (JBSP). In conjunction with the U.S. Army, Communications and Electronics Command (CECOM), Fort Monmouth, N.J., DRS is providing the Jordan Armed Forces with an end-to-end border security system for a portion of Jordan’s border. Alan Dietrich,
President of DRS’ C3&A business gave a brief to journalists at AUSA about the project’s developments.
The DRS JBSP border surveillance system is a complete, scaleable system used for the detection, prioritization, dissemination and interception of threats. The system was provided by DRS Technologies’ Command, Control and Communications Systems and Aviation (C3&A) Group in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
DRS will provide Distant Sentry™ mobile and fixed surveillance towers that utilize a variety of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) sensors. The system is comprised of integrated wireless voice, video and data communications that take data obtained by the Distant Sentry towers and immediately transmit this critical data to multi-echelon Command and Control (C2) Centers. Within the C2 Centers, will be software and computing systems, situational awareness displays and connectivity to the Jordan Armed Forces command and control infrastructure. The company will equip Jordan’s Armed Forces Quick Reaction vehicles with communications and situational awareness displays as well.
DRS designed, prototyped, manufactured and deployed the initial JBSP capability within 17 months following multi-year demonstrations. This provided Jordan with the first increment of the system (approximately 10% of the whole contract) worth some $35 million. The total contract value under FMS, with U.S. CECOM is $350 million over a 5-7 year period. DRS has about 8 people permanently in-country. The systems of 12 fixed towers and 4 mobile HMMV-based systems would be handed over on October 29th. Training of the Jordanian Armed Forces is taking place in Lago, Florida. The system has had a complete end-to-end test in Jordan. The HMMVs were delivered in July with pop-up masts and secure communications from a COTS supplier and also equipped with FLIR Systems Inc’s Ranger 3 EO/IR system. DRS is looking at supplying its Chile 3 camera. The static systems include the DRS Squire radar licensed from Thales Nederland and DRS’s bestselling M-STAR radar, where the Company has supplied 1000 systems built under licence from Thales. DRS is also looking at supplying the Finmeccanica Lyra 10 radar. The system is completely open architecture developed in association with 21st century Software Inc. allowing images to be relayed around the system with each tower having its own control centre. There is a main Command and Control Centre which is linked by microwave links with data being supplied by radars, unmanned ground sensors, acoustic and seismic sensors and EO/IR sensors. The radar plot overlays the area map.
This aggressive timeline was successful due to an intensive systems engineering approach and by establishing a JBSP Systems Integration Laboratory for design validation and testing. “JBSP is a milestone program within the company as we increase our capabilities from product manufacturer to large-scale integrated system provider,” stated Dietrich.
“We are proud to provide a complete, integrated border security system to Jordan,” said Alan Dietrich, President of DRS’ C3&A business. “Our organization is committed to continue providing our customers with dependable solutions to address their security concerns, including integrated border surveillance systems, ground radars and infrared cameras.”
“What other customers have you in mind for this system?” The Editor asked
“In collaboration with our customer in Jordan, in late June, we demonstrated the system to members of the Iraqi Ministry of Int