Long Range Eyesight – Radar Surveillance System

Long Range Eyesight – Radar Surveillance System

radar surveillance

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A radar system has proved its advantages in vast region surveillance. The Raptor surveillance system demonstrated its capabilities when it was set up at a remote building near the edge of Rogers Dry Lakebed at US air force base Edwards in Southern California. The ground-based radar system has the capability to monitor the lakebed at great distances with electro-optical and infrared sensors.

IEC’s Raptor Systems are aptly named after birds of prey with exceptionally long-range eyesight.  According to the company’s website, these surveillance platforms are typically configured with long-range EO/IR optics and other co-located sensors such as ground radars and other optic systems.  They enable detection and assessment at ranges from 5km to 18km+.  Raptor Cameras can be configured to accommodate just about any ground radar systems as well as with other complex sensors.

“It can allow us to immediately detect and assess any target that enters the designated area,” said Staff Sgt. Alexander Deguzman, 412th SFS (Security Forces Squadron) installation security technician. “This would allow us to cover more than 20 kilometers of terrain with a single piece of technology. Given the amount of manpower the squadron has as compared to the amount of terrain that needs to be covered, it would be extremely difficult for a patrol to effectively monitor the lakebed.” The base poses several challenges to its security force, primarily the rugged terrain and the large area to cover — Edwards AFB is approximately 308,000 acres.

“The driving need for this system is to proactively defend Edwards AFB. We need a system that can overcome the difficulties of patrolling the vast amount of land Edwards presents to our patrols,” Deguzman said.

According to edwards.af.mil, the Raptor System is one of a few current technologies that the squadron is exploring to enhance security.

“We are currently looking for commercial off-the-shelf (small unmanned aerial systems), vehicle and body cameras, and a renovation to our current Emergency Command Center. All of these proposed technologies will help with our security and overall command and control.”

The 412th SFS leadership along with wing leadership will now decide whether the Raptor System should be fielded at Edwards.