Borders & Maritime Security Projects

Advanced Container Security Device Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Advanced Container Security Device (ACSD) Project is developing an advanced sensor system for monitoring the container’s 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 of the container to report any intrusion or door opening. It will also detect the presence of human cargo in the container. If ACSD detects an intrusion, breach, door opening or human, it will transmit this alarm information through the Marine Asset Tag Tracking System (MATTS) to United States Customs and Border Protection. The ACSD will also build in a standard plug-and-play interface capability so that other security or commercial sensors (e.g., radiological/nuclear, chemical/biological) can be easily integrated through the standard interface. The ACSD must be able to withstand the harsh environmental conditions of global shipping and be economical for shippers to use. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Advanced Screening and Targeting Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Advanced Screening and Targeting (ASAT) Project provides next-generation risk assessment and targeting tools in two phases. Phase 1 (ASAT I) was delivered to the United States Customs and Border Protection organization in fiscal year 2008 and detects anomalous container shipments based on patterns of known threat activity through extraction of structured, linked data, supply chain anomaly detection, and pattern matching. ASAT II will significantly enhance risk assessment capabilities through development of computer algorithms and software that will analyze the supply chain characteristics of a given shipment, including open source data (e.g. business, financial, socioeconomic) as well as other available government held data to develop a probabilistic threat analysis of that shipment based on its respective supply chain context. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Air Cargo Composite Container Project

Project Overview:  The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Air Cargo Composite Container Project expands upon the composite material developed in the hybrid composite container project to determine whether it can be used to develop an air cargo composite container that will be able to detect tampering or intrusion from the point of consolidation to the point of deconsolidation in the air cargo supply chain. The project’s success depends on ensuring lightweight comparability to existing aluminum containers and interoperability with existing aircraft loading infrastructure. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Automatic Target Recognition Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) Project develops an automated imagery detection capability for anomalous content (e.g. persons, hidden compartments, contraband) to be integrated with existing and future (i.e., CanScan) non-intrusive inspection (NII) systems. This ATR capability is broadly applicable to the scanning and imaging systems used by the United States Customs and Border Protection organization and the Transportation Security Administration 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. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Border Officer Tools Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Border Office Tools Project plans to improve law enforcement agents’ effectiveness and enhance officer/agent safety while searching vessels/vehicles. Many of these tools will leverage technology currently under development by the Department of Homeland Security or Department of Defense for other purposes. These tools will provide:

• Secure communications (i.e., voice and data) between field operators, and between field operators and their command centers; and
• Intrusive (i.e., requires contact) as well as non-intrusive, non-destructive technologies to aid in the identification of contraband (i.e. chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial, explosive chemicals, drugs).

This project is part of the Border Watch Thrust Area and Border Officer Tools and Safety Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Border Officer Safety Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Border Officer Safety Project plans to integrate technologies that will enable border security law enforcement agents to more safely perform their mission. These technologies include, but are not limited to:

• Enhanced Ballistic Protection – will deliver 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 – will capture images of individuals and compare them to law enforcement databases;
• Hidden Compartment Inspection Device – will allow for agents to non-intrusively detect, from greater stand-off ranges, people and contraband hidden behind walls and other barriers; 
• Pursuit Termination-Vehicle/Vessel Stopping – will provide for a user-safe, non-lethal means of stopping uncooperative vehicles and vessels attempting to evade apprehension;
• Project Hostile Intent Integration - uses physical reactions- behavior, speech, and physiological (e.g. thermal imaging, eye tracking, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, and voice variations) for detection of hostile intent;
• Covert Officer Safety Transmission System - provides ability for undercover agents to transmit own location and capture audio/images of interest;
• Under Vehicle Inspection – will conduct a non-intrusive inspection of vehicular undercarriages that has the capability for penetration of thicker material;
• Gunfire Location – will quickly identify the location of gunfire, classify the type of weapon, alert targeted enforcement of incoming gunfire, and create forensic data; and
• Less-Lethal Compliance Measure for Personnel – provides a lighter-weight, more energy efficient, more robust, hand-held less-lethal device that safely neutralizes and assures compliance of uncooperative individuals.

This project is part of the Border Watch Thrust Area and Border Officer Tools and Safety Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Bordertech Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Bordertech Project plans to develop, integrate and test sensor technologies in an operational environment to provide in-the-field capabilities, improving mission effectiveness and agent safety. This project will act as a risk reduction activity for major acquisition programs, such as SBI Network (SBInet). It will include:

• North East Testbed (NET-B) – provides a test platform for evaluating technologies in an operational environment, enabling acquisition decisions, agent training and tactics development;
• Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS) Testbed - provides NET-B advanced technology to enable test and evaluation of new UGS units as well as new system capabilities;
• Camera Evaluation - assess the performance characteristics of a variety of imaging systems in their ability to detect and classify contacts at ranges, analyze life cycle costs, and make recommendations;
• Advanced Sensor Technologies – investigates technologies and methodologies for improving operational performance of unattended ground sensors, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) devices and associated sensor signal processing; and
• Advanced Ground Surveillance Radar – assesses active and passive technologies and develops/ demonstrates a system for detecting and tracking humans.

This project is part of the Border Watch Thrust Area and Border Technologies Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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CanScan Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division CanScan Project develops a next-generation non-intrusive inspection (NII) system which 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 compared to existing NII systems and will support marine containerized cargo as well as airborne break-bulk, palletized, and containerized cargo. CanScan will provide improved cargo screening. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Container Security Device Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Container Security Device (CSD) Project develops a device whose sensor(s) can detect the opening of container doors from the point of consolidation to the point of deconsolidation in the maritime supply chain. Since the advanced container security device (ACSD) development will not be complete for some time to come and since the current generation of mechanical seals can be easily circumvented, the container security device (CSD) will provide an interim capability to monitor the status of container doors. The CSD is a small, low-cost device mounted on or within a container which can detect the opening or removal of container doors and reports its status to United States Customs and Border Protection organization. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Hybrid Composite Container Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Hybrid Composite Container Project develops a potential next-generation ISO shipping container with embedded security sensors to detect intrusions from the point of consolidation to the point of deconsolidation in the maritime supply chain. The container will be constructed from composite materials with embedded sensors. Composites are stronger than steel and are ten to fifteen percent lighter than current shipping containers. Weight savings can benefit shippers by allowing them to load more goods per container to meet the weight limit than they would ordinarily be able to. Also, composites are easier to repair therefore decreasing their overall life cycle costs over existing steel containers. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Marine Asset Tag Tracking System Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Marine Asset Tag Tracking System (MATTS) Project establishes a remote, global communications and tracking network to be used with the advanced container security device from the point of consolidation to the point of deconsolidation in the maritime supply chain. MATTS is able to communicate security alert information globally through the use of radio frequency, cell and satellite technology. In addition, the commercial shipping industry can track and monitor cargo as it moves through the supply chain. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Secure Border Initiative (SBI) Systems Engineering and Modeling and Simulation Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Secure Border Initiative (SBI) Systems Engineering and Modeling and Simulation Project helps border enforcement agencies make informed decisions in immigration/border security policy and operations using systems engineering tools and models. It provides systems engineering, analysis, and trade-off studies to secure border initiative. This project is part of the Borders Watch Thrust Area and Border Technologies Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Secure Border Initiative (SBI) Systems of Systems Engineering (SoSE) Capability Development Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Secure Border Initiative (SBI) Systems of Systems Engineering (SoSE) Capability Development Project provides a basic research feed to SBI for decision making. Decision making is often complex, and marked by uncertainty and turbulent environments. In a complex world we would ideally be able to make decisions in real time while taking into account areas including: multiple influences (technical, organizational, policy, political, managerial, human/social considerations); constant flux in data and resources; issues affected by politically driven realities. This research effort could enhance SBI decision making capabilities by assessing multiple, disparate factors affecting leadership decision making. This project is part of the Borders Watch Thrust Area and Border Technologies Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Secure Carton Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Secure Carton Project communicates via radio frequency identification reader any tamper event to the carton such as the insertion of a weapon of mass destruction after it leaves the point of manufacture to the point that it is delivered in the maritime and air cargo supply chains. This project provides improved supply chain visibility, chain of custody, and security beginning after it leaves the point of manufacture. It is scalable and applicable across the various shipping modalities including maritime and air cargo. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Secure Wrap Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Secure Wrap 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 that it is delivered in the maritime and air cargo supply chains. This wrap is appropriate throughout the international supply chain for all shipping modalities (e.g., air, maritime, land). The wrap will provide a visible and/or fluorescent tamper indication which is deployable with little or no impact to current supply chain logistics and processes. Subsequent iterations of this wrap will be designed to support increasing levels of automated monitoring thereby reducing manpower loading. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Sensors and Surveillance Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Sensors and Surveillance Project addresses, documents, and demonstrates visual and non-visual technologies for monitoring the maritime border. Visual technologies provide an eyes-on capability that enables agents to verify if an activity is illegal. Non-visual technologies provide low-cost, long-endurance monitoring to detect and track objects that are not captured by cameras. The project includes the following visual and non-visual technologies:

• Affordable Wide-Area Surveillance (WAS) Capability – demonstrates persistent and 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 offshore;
• Advanced Geospatial Intelligence (AGI) Technical Exploitation – demonstrates a processing and exploitation capability that provides wide-area surveillance of the offshore maritime environment;
• Port and Coastal Radar Improvement – test and evaluate the performance of a COTS radar using advanced signal processing to detect, track and identify large and small vessels from zero to twelve nautical miles in the port and coastal regions under a variety of operational and environmental conditions;
• Small Boat Harbor Surveillance Study/Pilot – develop and test near-term technologies for tracking small boats in a port environment and demonstrate the improved situational awareness through an operational test/pilot program; and
• Inland Waterway Maritime Security System – delivers technologies that improve maritime security on inland waterways by providing advanced law enforcement capabilities, enhanced ability to protect critical infrastructure and key resources, improved incident management, and advanced mission support capabilities.

This project is part of the Border Watch Thrust Area and Maritime Technologies Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Sensors/Data Fusion and Decisions Aids Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Sensors/Data Fusion and Decisions Aids 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 will:

• Provide the capability to fuse tactical information from multiple data sources such as sensors and databases (both law enforcement and commercial databases),
• Provide real-time situational awareness,
• Eliminate scene clutter,
  Automatically identify and track high-risk targets (e.g., people, vehicles, and vessels),
• Provide decision aids,
• Facilitate multi-agency coordination for rapid response, and
• Enable unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to sense other air traffic and maneuver as needed to avoid a mid air collision.

This project is part of the Border Watch Thrust Area and Border Technologies Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Situational Awareness and Information Management Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Situational Awareness and Information Management Project plans to provide law enforcement agents the ability to know instantaneously when a threat presents itself at the maritime border and to provide required information quickly to decision makers and security forces. These functions are performed through an arrangement of personnel, equipment, communications, and facilities as well as the procedures agents employ in operations. The project will include:

• Advanced Automated Scene Understanding (ASU) – improves efficiency and effectiveness of the watchstanders/agents by autonomously detecting prohibited, suspicious, and anomalous behaviors based on self learning of normal behaviors or operator generated rules;
• Covert Illegal Contraband Tracker – provides the ability to track illegal contraband to its final location after being detected by law enforcement, linking illegal shipments to the organizations that are smuggling them;
• Boarding Team Communication – enhances the United States Coast Guards' ability to more quickly, safely, and effectively board and inspect vessels by providing boarding teams continuous, reliable, inter-deck, team-to-ship, and team-to-command-center communications platform for voice and data; and
• Port Security Test Bed - provides the basic infrastructure (e.g. command center displays, servers, and connectivity to sensors) for a maritime test bed. A functional maritime test bed provides Department of Homeland Security components a test environment to derive changes in concepts of pperations (CONOPS) based on the new technology. This is a significant risk reduction tool for transition technologies. 

This project is part of the Border Watch Thrust Area and Maritime Technologies Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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Supply Chain Security Architecture Project

Project Overview: The Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate Borders & Maritime Security Division Supply Chain Security Architecture (SCSA) Project maps the international supply chain including: all the various nodes (e.g., point of stuffing, port of entry), participants (e.g., shippers, United States Customs and Border Protection, foreign customs departments), and information flow (e.g. container manifest is provided to United States Customs and Border Protection twenty four hours before the container is loaded on a ship). This security architecture will provide the Department the framework to incorporate near-term and future container security technologies into supply chain operations. The architecture defines the standards with which vendor technology must comply to ensure secure and reliable data communication. These standards lead to the development of information management systems that will support improved data collection and risk assessment. This project is part of the Cargo Security Thrust Area and Cargo and Conveyance Security Program of the Borders & Maritime Security Division.

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