Borders and Maritime Security Projects

These projects are to help enhance the security of our nation's borders and waterways without impeding the flow of commerce and travelers.

Advanced Container Security Device (ACSD) Project

This project is developing an advanced sensor system for monitoring containers’ integrity from the point-of-consolidation to the point-of-deconsolidation in the maritime supply chain. The ACSD is a small unit that attaches to the inside of a container to monitor all six sides and report any intrusion or door opening or the presence of human cargo. If ACSD detects an intrusion, breach, door opening, or human, it transmits alarm information through the Marine Asset Tag Tracking System (MATTS) to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The ACSD will also build in a standard plug-and-play interface so that other security or commercial sensors (e.g., radiological/nuclear, chemical/biological) can be easily integrated through the standard interface. In fiscal year 2008, the project delivered 40 prototype systems. In fiscal year 2009, the project tested and evaluated these prototype systems in operational settings. In fiscal year 2010, the project plans to remedy shortfalls discovered during prototype testing and integrate system improvements. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo Conveyance Security Program of the Borders and Maritime Security Division. Learn more about ACSD and MATTS in S&T Snapshots.

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Advanced Screening and Targeting (ASAT) Project

The project is providing an enhanced risk assessment through development of computer algorithms and software that will provide next-generation risk assessment and targeting tools to complement the CBP Automated Targeting System (ATS). In fiscal year 2008, the program delivered Phase 1 (ASAT I) to CBP to provide automated anomaly detection and pattern discovery algorithms to target high-risk cargo. In fiscal year 2009 the ASAT II program further advanced computer algorithms and software to automatically collect data from a broad spectrum of sources, combine and analyze shipping information to find suspicious relationships and patterns. Starting in fiscal year 2010, the project plans to perform an evaluation of pattern analysis tools, develop advanced algorithms, and initiate software Beta testing. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo Conveyance Security Program of the Borders and Maritime Security Division.

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Air Cargo Composite Container (ACC) Project

The project is expanding upon the composite material developed in the Composite Container Project to determine whether it is effective in the air-cargo supply chain. The air cargo composite container must be comparable to existing aluminum containers and be interoperable with existing aircraft loading infrastructure. In fiscal year 2008, the S&T Directorate initiated design feasibility and evaluation of this effort. In fiscal year 2009, the project conducted requirements analysis for expansion of the Hybrid Composite Container effort for Air Cargo Composite Containers. In fiscal year 2010, the project plans to conduct requirements and critical design reviews with the air cargo community; complete security sensor system development; complete structural system design and weight optimization. The project plans to field test, demonstrate an air cargo composite container; and deliver final performance requirements to CBP and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in fiscal year 2010. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo Conveyance Security Program of the Borders and Maritime Security Division.

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Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) Project

The project is developing an automated imagery detection capability for anomalous content (e.g., persons, hidden compartments, contraband) for maritime, land, and air cargo for existing and future Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) systems. This ATR capability is broadly applicable to the scanning and imaging systems used by CBP and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), providing an operator-assisted decision aid for target discrimination within low-resolution images. Further, the ATR will be scalable to accommodate advanced NII systems with higher resolution imagery and material discrimination capability. In fiscal year 2010, the project plans to develop and finalize requirements, conduct business planning, and perform concept studies and analysis of alternatives. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo Conveyance Security Program of the Borders and Maritime Security Division.

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Border Detection Grid (BDG) Project

The project is providing a grid of advanced sensors and detection, classification, and localization technologies to detect and classify cross-border movement (e.g., friendly forces, animals, weather, or illegal activity). This technology will revolutionize border control by providing a way for a single Border Patrol officer to effectively monitor more than 10 miles of border. In fiscal year 2008, the project conducted an integrated concept test along the southern border, and developed and designed an implementation plan for unattended ground sensors (UGS). In fiscal year 2009, the project piloted a tripwire capability that can locate activity anywhere along many miles of the border. Fiscal year 2009 plans included finalizing all project-related activities for fiscal year 2010 transitions of select technology to the operational end-user. This project is part of the Border Watch Thrust Area and Border Technologies Program of the Borders and Maritime Security Division.

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Border Officer Safety (BOS) Project

The project is integrating technologies that will enable border-security and law-enforcement agents to more safely perform their mission. These technologies include, but are not limited to:

• Enhanced Ballistic Protection – delivers lighter weight, more durable and higher strength materials and equipment to increase the level of a field agent’s ballistic protection while reducing his equipment load;
• Automatic Facial Recognition – captures images of individuals and compares them to law enforcement databases;
• Hidden Compartment Inspection Device – allows agents to non-intrusively detect, from greater stand-off ranges, people and contraband hidden behind walls and other barriers;
• Pursuit Termination-Vehicle/Vessel Stopping – provides user-safe, non-lethal means of stopping uncooperative vehicles and vessels attempting to evade apprehension;
• Covert Officer Safety Transmission System – allows for undercover agents to transmit own location and capture audio/images of interest;
• Gunfire Location – identifies the location of gunfire, classifies the type of weapon, alerts targeted enforcement of incoming gunfire, and creates forensic data; and
• Less-Lethal Compliance Measure for Personnel – provides lighter-weight, more energy efficient, more robust, hand-held and less-lethal devices that safely neutralize and assure compliance of uncooperative individuals.

In fiscal year 2009, the project determined ballistic vest performance requirements for border security use; investigated facial recognition requirements and solutions, determined gunfire location requirements for law enforcement officers; determined less-lethal vehicle/vessel stopping requirements, and completed an assessment of a hidden compartment inspection device. In fiscal year 2010, the project plans to complete the ballistics protection prototype demonstration; complete the gunfire location specification and transition to customers; upgrade hidden compartment inspection device design for vessels and vehicles; investigate electromagnetic pulse approaches for stopping vehicles and vessels; demonstrate the covert officer safety transmission system prototype; and conduct market survey to identify potential solutions for less lethal compliance measures. This project is part of the Border Watch Thrust Area and Border Officer Tools and Safety Program in the Borders and Maritime Security Division.  

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CanScan Project

The project is developing a next-generation non-intrusive inspection (NII) system that will be used to detect terrorist materials, contraband items (e.g., drugs, money, illegal firearms), and stowaways at border crossings, maritime ports, and airports. These new systems may provide increases in penetration, resolution, and throughput and will support marine containerized cargo as well as airborne break-bulk, palletized, and containerized cargo. CanScan will provide improved cargo screening. In fiscal year 2009, the project performed requirements analysis, and initiated concept studies and analysis of alternatives. In fiscal year 2010, the project plans to initiate concept selection and system design. Beginning in fiscal year 2010, the program plans to assess the Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) for potential integration into the CanScan system. This project is part of the Border Watch Thrust Area and Cargo Conveyance Security Program in the Borders and Maritime Security Division.

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Container Security Device (CSD) Project

The project is developing a security device with sensor(s) that can detect the opening of container doors from the point-of-consolidation to the point-of-deconsolidation in the maritime supply chain. The CSD will provide an interim capability to monitor the status of container doors until the ACSD is available. The CSD is a small, low-cost device mounted on or within a container that detects the opening or removal of container doors and reports its status to CBP. In fiscal year 2008, the project delivered, tested, and evaluated 20 CSD prototypes. In fiscal year 2009, the project operationally tested the CSDs. In fiscal year 2010, the project plans to remedy shortfalls discovered during prototype testing, integrate system improvements, and deliver improved prototypes for future field-testing. The project will also transition the CSD test and evaluation assessments and finalized specifications to CBP and Department policy. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program in the Borders and Maritime Security Division.

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Hybrid Composite Container Project

The project is developing a next-generation International Standards Organization (ISO) composite shipping container with embedded security sensors to detect intrusions from the point-of-consolidation to the point-of-deconsolidation in the maritime supply chain. Composites are stronger than steel, 10-15% lighter than current shipping containers, and are easier to repair (which decreases life-cycle costs). Weight savings can benefit shippers by allowing them to load more goods per container within weight limits. In fiscal year 2008 and 2009, the project built one full-size ISO compliant composite container prototype and initiated a design review. In fiscal year 2010, the project plans to test and evaluate the manufactured prototype and conduct structural ISO testing. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program in the Borders and Maritime Security Division.

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Marine Asset Tag Tracking System (MATTS) Project

The project is establishing a remote, global communications and tracking network that works with Advanced Container Security Device(ACSD) from the point-of-consolidation to the point-of-deconsolidation in the maritime supply chain. MATTS communicates security alert information globally through the use of radio frequency, cellular and satellite technology. In addition, the commercial shipping industry can track and monitor cargo as it moves through the supply chain. In fiscal year 2008, the program integrated MATTS into ACSD, and initiated test and evaluation of the MATTS-Lock (M-Lock) configuration of the MATTS tag (a chain of custody tool incorporating a MATTS tag into a lock enclosure). In fiscal year 2009, the project conducted worldwide cellular interoperability tests, and demonstrate chain-of-custody tracking using M-Lock. In fiscal year 2010, the project plans to test Local Area Network (LAN) communications, meshing reliability in stacked environments and satellite communications, and produce a MATTS technical requirements document and transition the MATTS technology. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program in the Borders and Maritime Security Division. Learn more about ACSD and MATTS in S&T Snapshots.

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Secure Carton Project

The project develops technology to detect any shipping carton tamper event and transmit an alert to authorities after it leaves the point-of-manufacture to the point that it is delivered in the supply chains. This project provides improved supply chain visibility, chain of custody, and security. It is scalable and applicable across the various shipping modalities including trucking, rail, maritime and air cargo. In fiscal year 2008, the project delivered and started testing prototype systems. In fiscal year 2009, the project conducted prototype field experiments and performed testing in an air cargo environment. In fiscal year 2010, the project addressed any system deficiencies noted during testing along with improvements suggested during field-testing. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program in the Borders and Maritime Security Division.

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Secure Wrap Project

The project provides a transparent, flexible, and tamper-indicative wrapping material to secure and monitor palletized cargo after it leaves the point-of-manufacture to the point-of-delivery in the land, maritime and air-cargo supply chains. The wrap will provide a visible and/or fluorescent tamper indication and is deployable with little or no impact to current supply chain logistics and processes. Subsequent iterations of this wrap will support increasing levels of automated monitoring, thereby reducing manpower required to ensure cargo integrity. In fiscal year 2009, the project developed the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) initiative to complete the feasibility study and prototype design. In fiscal year 2010, the project plans to deliver prototype systems for operational testing in the supply chain. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program in the Borders and Maritime Security Division.

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Sensors/Data Fusion and Decision-Aids Project

The project develops systems to enable law enforcement officers and commanders to have full situational awareness, enabling effective decision making and execution in complex and dynamic operational environments. Current operations rely mostly on verbal coordination for real-time operational knowledge and situational awareness. This project:

• Provides the capability to fuse tactical information from multiple data sources such as sensors and databases (both law enforcement and commercial databases);
• Provides real-time situational awareness;
• Eliminates scene clutter;
• Automatically identifies and tracks high-risk targets (e.g., people, vehicles, and vessels);
• Provides decision aids;
• Facilitates multi-agency coordination for rapid response; and
• Enables Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to sense other air traffic and maneuver as needed to avoid a mid air collision

In fiscal year 2008, the project developed Automated Scene Understanding (ASU) and visualization tools for maritime and inland waterways, and completed the prototype demonstration and operational assessment of Visualization Tools. In fiscal year 2009, the project will install an updated sensor/data fusion capability for land border applications, install advanced fusion technologies into a Port Security Testbed, and assess the performance of current national system capabilities to assist operational components in the interdiction of self-propelled semi-submersibles. In fiscal year 2009/2010, the project plans to deliver modeling and simulation results that incorporate parameters from the current Department UAS. In fiscal year 2010, the project plans to demonstrate and transition initial ASU maritime capabilities to CBP & U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). This project is part of the Border Watch Thrust Area and Border Technologies Program in the Borders and Maritime Security Division.

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Sensors and Surveillance Project

The project develops and demonstrates visual and non-visual technologies for monitoring the maritime border. Visual technologies provide capabilities that help agents identify illegal activities. Non-visual technologies provide low-cost, long-endurance monitoring to detect and track objects not captured by cameras. The project includes the following technologies:

• Affordable Wide-Area Surveillance (WAS) Capability – demonstrates persistent WAS commercial off-the-shelf/government off-the-shelf (COTS/GOTS) technologies to explore Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and data integration issues associated with the detection, tracking and classification of vessel traffic 12-120 nautical miles (nm) offshore;
• Advanced Geospatial Intelligence (AGI) Technical Exploitation – demonstrates data processing and exploitation to provide wide-area surveillance of the offshore maritime environment;
• Port and Coastal Radar Improvement – tests and evaluates the performance of a COTS radar using advanced signal processing to detect, track and identify large and small vessels from 0-12 nm in Port and Coastal regions under a variety of operational and environmental conditions;
• Small Boat Harbor Surveillance Study/Pilot – develops and tests near-term technologies for tracking small boats in port environments and demonstrates the improved situational awareness through an operational test/pilot program;
• Inland Waterway Maritime Security System (IWMSS) – develops and delivers technologies that improve maritime security on inland waterways by providing advanced law enforcement capabilities

In fiscal year 2009, the project performed a market survey for potential technologies to produce technology development and demonstration plans for providing better security for inland waterways and improved, more persistent maritime surveillance in ports, harbors and offshore (12 -120 nm).  The project plans to test and evaluate a potential radar solution for the U.S. Coast Guards’s Interagency Operations Center Acquisition Program. The project also plans to investigate current and emerging AGI technologies for detecting small boats. In fiscal year 2010, the project plans to conduct technology development and demonstrations of promising technologies for the IWMSS effort, demonstrate affordable WAS capability, and conduct a small boat harbor surveillance technology assessment. This project is part of the Border Watch Thrust Area and Maritime Technologies Program in the Borders and Maritime Security Division.  

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Situational Awareness and Information Management Project

The project provides information management technology to quickly identify threats at the maritime border and to provide required information to decision makers and security forces. In fiscal year 2009, the project will complete an initial assessment of a prototype line-of-sight boarding team communication capability, complete an initial assessment of a team-to-command center, Over-The-Horizon (OTH) gateway communication, and perform a study of feasible solutions that can covertly track illegal contraband to their final destination. In fiscal year 2010, the project plans to transition the OTH prototype for boarding team communications, and an initial Advanced Automated Scene Understanding maritime capability to CBP and USCG. This project is part of the Border Watch Thrust Area and Maritime Technologies Program in the Borders and Maritime Security Division.

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Supply Chain Security Architecture (SCSA) Project

The project maps the international supply chain including: all nodes (e.g., point-of-stuffing, port-of-entry), participants (e.g., shippers, CBP, foreign Customs), and information flow (e.g., container manifests). This security architecture will provide Department of Homeland Security the framework to incorporate near-term and future container-security technologies into supply chain operations. In fiscal year 2008, the project completed the maritime environment architecture. Also in fiscal year 2008, the project defined requirements and architecture for the air cargo domain. In fiscal year 2009, the project completed the architecture, validated the architecture through testing of supply chain security technologies under development (e.g. Secure Carton), and transitioned the final performance requirements to TSA. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program in the Borders and Maritime Security Division.

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Urban Tunnel Detection Basic Research

The project investigates the geophysical characteristics of urban border regions including the uniqueness of all types of tunnels and underground voids as well as the overall detection effectiveness of each. Detection of tunnels requires a combination of both direct and indirect methods to determine the shape, size, and position of the tunnel. This basic research will identify the best methods for tunnel detection success. In fiscal year 2010, the project plans to research and distinguish the geology of the different key urban border regions and will identify technologies and methods with the greatest potential for detecting tunnels. This project is part of the Border Watch Thrust Area and Border Technologies Program in the Borders and Maritime Security Division. Learn more about Tunnel Detection in S&T Snapshots.

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