Lockheed Martin Develops Field-and-Forget Wireless Sensor Network System
Lockheed Martin [LMT] has developed a ground-based, wireless, smart sensor network system that provides unobtrusive, continuous surveillance for different missions and applications. The Self-Powered Ad-hoc Network (SPAN) can be used in military, border patrol and structural monitoring applications, the company says. The network can cue a camera or unmanned air vehicle to further study and area or call an engineer when a bridge structure is in danger of fracture, the company says. “SPAN is a mesh network of self-organizing, self-healing sensors,” says Macy Summers, vice president of Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Solutions-Defense. “The typical sensor fits in the palm of your hand and can be readily concealed in camouflage housings.” The sensors use very little energy and can recharge themselves using energy sources in the surrounding environment, eliminating battery life and cost concerns, the company says. It also says that the information from the mesh network is locally processed using proprietary algorithms that reduce false alarms to provide situational awareness.
EU Approves Smiths Detection’s HI-SCAN 7555 aTiX for EDS
The European Union (EU) has given Explosives Detection System (EDS) Standard 2 approval to Smith Detection’s 7555 aTiX advanced technology X-Ray system. The aTiX product line has already received LEDS Type C Standard 2 requirements for liquids detection from the EU. The EDS Standard 2 approval is mandatory for use in all EU/European Civil Aviation Conference member states.
Aware Develops Biometric Enrollment Application for DoJ
Aware, Inc. [AWRE] has developed the Next-Generation Universal Automated Booking Station for use by Department of Justice agencies. The booking station is a biometric enrollment application built on Aware’s new BioComponents product family, which is a flexible, modular, commercial-off-the-shelf software framework that is more easily configured and maintained than a hardcoded application that would otherwise require different source code for each agency’s implementation, the company says. Each of the available components that make up the BioComponents product are independent, self-contained software modules that provide their own user interface, biometric auto capture functionality, image processing and analysis, and peripheral capture device abstraction.
Integrated Biometrics Introduces Non-Optical FBI Appendix F Fingerprint Sensor
Integrated Biometrics has launched a new FBI certified, two-finger scanner for mobile applications. The sensor, which the company calls Watson, is the first non-optical scanner to achieve the FBI’s IAFIS Appendix F Certified Product List. Watson weighs less than a quarter-pound and is 70 mm by 63 mm by 32 mm in size, making it the lightest and smallest FBI Appendix F certified, two-finger scanner in the world, says Integrated Biometrics. The scanner is offered in an embedded version and standalone version and includes a complete software development kit. Appendix F certification is the most demanding live-scan certification on the market.
L-3 in Cyber Security Partnership with Virginia Tech
L-3 Communications [LLL] and Virginia Tech’s Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and Technology have formed a cooperative partnership in cyber security research and development. The partnership includes the establishment of L-3’s Cybersecurity Solutions Center, which will be co-located with Virginia Tech’s Cybersecurity Innovations Lab in Northern Virginia. L-3 says the arrangement will boost its ability to offer better cyber security solutions. “This new relationship with Virginia Tech is an important centerpiece in our ongoing cyber security solutions development, as it provides us with access to proprietary academic and scientific research and development,” says Les Rose, president of L-3 STRATIS, the division that will lead the new effort. L-3 says it is focusing its cyber security efforts in advanced analytics, cloud, virtualization, communications and mobile security, and cyber security training and education.
SAIC, McAfee Partner on Cyber Security Solutions
Science Applications International Corp. [SAI] and Intel’s [INTC] McAfee unit have partnered to provide customers with a more comprehensive range of cyber security solutions. Initially the partnership will combine McAfee’s Network Threat Response, which captures, deconstructs and analyzes malware in real-time, with SAIC’s PN41, a deep packet inspection architecture for security and control applications, or the company’s CS4000, a modular chassis supporting high-speed packet and software-driven content processing. “McAfee Network Threat Response technology combined with SAIC’s solutions-based deployment approach offers information technology professionals advanced security at every level across the network,” says Joe Sexton, executive vice president of Global Sales at McAfee. The companies say that potential customers include intelligence agencies, national governments, telecommunications companies and other enterprises worldwide.
FEMA Certifies TCS Commercial Mobile Alert System
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. [TSYS] says the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has certified its Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS), an emergency alert system for U.S. residents to be delivered via mobile phones. TCS says that the CMAS certification means that wireless carriers are assured of interoperability testing compliance in time for the April 7, 2012 CMAS implementation deadline and will not need to spend additional time and resources going through the testing process. “Wireless carriers who are participating in the CMAS program can now purchase access to a proven, easily deployed and already-certified CMAS solution,” says Jay Whitehurst, senior vice president, Commercial Software for TCS. So far about 140 wireless carriers have opted to participate in the FEMA program, which grew from an executive order by former President Bush in 2006 mandating the development of an emergency alert system for U.S. residents to be delivered via mobile phones.
Salient Acquires Electronic Security Systems Division of Dataline
Salient Federal Solutions has acquired the Electronic Security Systems (ESS) division of Dataline, LLC, providing it with a full spectrum of electronic security and mass notification systems services at any required scale and worldwide. The acquisition also gives Salient a prime contract position on the Defense Department’s Integrated Electronic Security Systems contract, which is designed to provide customers with access to electronic security and mass notification system capabilities. The deal gives Salient access control, alarm monitoring, intrusion detection, video surveillance, asset tracking and other capabilities. “This expands our ability to help customers meet their security requirements and to protect both hard and soft targets anywhere in the world,” says Brad Antle, president and CEO of Salient.