DHS Testing ‘Mega-Cameras’ Mounted on Blimps for Border Surveillance
- Posted on April 3, 2012 at 6:19am by
Liz Klimas
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The Department of Homeland Security may start policing its own borders with technology that first found itself on the battlefield.
Wide-area surveillance cameras were mounted on Raven's Aerostar in tests of the technology for border surveillance. (Photo: Raven)
According to Wired, DHS recently conducted tests using “mega-cameras” — a wide-area surveillance system called Kestrel by Logos Technologies that can view several miles in a single frame — mounted on blimps. This technology was previously used in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is exactly what interested officials in using it for the country’s own internal protection. Wired has more:
“You had this imager flying that was able to archive and save imagery and reconstruct [bomb] emplacement so troops could go after [insurgents] later,” John Applebee, who manages the border camera program for DHS, tells Danger Room. “It also was used for other things every day, like troop protection or perimeter protection, just as we imagine its uses along the continental borders of the United States.”
According to sUAS News, in its first day of testing, the system helped nab 30 suspects of illegal entry or activity and rounded out the week at helping with more than 80 arrests:
“The coverage was amazing. We were able to see activities happening in different parts of the city all at the same time,” said a senior DHS official. “We could keep an eye on one area while dispatching agents to other areas.”
sUAS News describes more of the technologies uses:
In addition to providing actionable, real-time information, the Kestrel team also demonstrated the significance of the system’s forensic capability.
While identifying illicit activities in real time, the Kestrel system could also rewind through its stored imagery, allowing operators to track the suspects back to their hideouts and monitor other illegal activities.
Wired reports that the system isn’t quite perfect for DHS use yet, as the department might not have the capacity yet to handle the wealth of data it continuously provides. Applebee said he hopes the system can be automated to alert the appropriate authorities when movement is seen in an area where it shouldn’t be.
Earlier this year, we reported that there was some concern over use of wide-area surveillance on U.S. soil as it still monitors, at a pervasive level, areas where citizens go about their daily business and are not committing crimes.
Note: Blaze reader John S. has pointed out an important distinction between a aerostat and a blimp. While the Raven Aerostar aerostat may bear many similarities to a blimp, it is in fact not a blimp. Aerostats are tethered whereas blimps are often untethered and have a motor of their own.
[H/T Gizmodo]
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Comments (66)
ROMANS 10-9
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 11:41amNOTHING NEW HERE!
I designed Hangeers for this, in Texas, in 1988.
So What!
BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND PROTECT OUR BORDERS!
Report Post »shogun459
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 12:06pmThis takes boots and eyes off the ground.
DC only needs to know how much is coming across the border so they know what their cut should be.
Report Post »kiddopup
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 1:37pmNEW method by are Goverment to help avoid detection think about you have a giant ballon that you can see from miles away that gives illegals time to hide or whatever there is a reason in the last60 or so years they are not used in war but these idiots just keep going back to old bull AKA windmills Solar panels it is all bull
Report Post »JournalistStuntDouble
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 1:39pmIndeed nothing new. Drive though Deming, NM on I-10 and you’ll see an Aerostat balloon flying high towards the south on a clear day.
Stop at the local truck stop nearby when gassing up and ask the locals working the register what it is and what it does and you’ll get conflicting stories (all claiming to have friends/relatives who work there) varying from it being used as a high-powered lookout for illegals, to a nuclear materials detector.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 5:39pmThis sounds good. It certainly answers the complaint about people placing a 13 ft. ladder up against a
Report Post »12 ft. wall.
calonzap
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 11:08amThe balloons will make great targets.
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 2:04pmThey had one of these in SE Arizona in the 80s. It was equipped with radar so it could look down into the San Pedro river valley (a favorite route for drug planes). The last I heard someone shot it full of holes.
OMG 2012
Report Post »therealconservative
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 7:12pm@Bill
WRONG, as of this afternoon its STILL there.
Report Post »BuggiOlleo
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 11:02amSo, ICE on the Border dispatched to deliver the bad News to the desperate immigrants.. Popcorn? Before Club Fed? Maybe a quick trip to Walmart for a racket and a swim suit..Don’t forget the extra large cltohing for the fill out–in the waist line–oops, Mooch-elle HAS been busy in the Food Department for .gov Institutional Food—uhmmmm, pink slime–yummy–oh well, when you get a resort for a few years who cares what you have to eat..Yumm, pass the slime.!
Report Post »Whats up with that
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 11:02amUmm…I’m pretty sure a BB gun could, well, ya know…
Report Post »Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 10:40amAs long as they keep them at the borders and keep the cameras pointed down or out, I’m all for them. problem is, the nextheadline about these things will be “DHS Mega-Camera Dirigibles Now Flying Over Every American City”.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 10:56amI can tell you, from experience, that we have the technology, right now, to properly monitor and secure the borders. ALL of them. And balloon cameras aren’t it.
At this VERY moment the state of the art in border security “IS” being used inside America. And it “IS” 100% effective, 100% of the time. Always. Never fails. Ever.
But it won‘t be used on our ’borders’ because our government suborns border INSECURITY. We KNOW this after the revelation of “Fast & Furious.” The borders HAD to be porous to allow the transport of U.S. government supplied weapons, people and money back and forth across them into Mexico. And we KNOW that this was conducted by cabinet and administration level appointees inside our government as well as career “law enforcement” officials. And we KNOW it wasn’t the ONLY time this has happened, as a second such case was revealed in the process, called White Gun, by an inside ‘law enforcement’ official.
Where “IS” this state of the art 100% effective security system located? Get ready: Area51.
I positively, 100% guarantee you that you can not penetrate their security. Actually, you can’t even get within a mile of the fence, I’ll bet you what ever you want.
The security system exists. It’s just that the government WANTS open borders. No matter what Americans want or what they are ‘supposed’ to do. It won’t happen. Ever. Period. End of story.
You think this “IS” your government? Think again.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 11:05amI found this quote disturbing: “The coverage was amazing. We were able to see activities happening in different parts of the city all at the same time,” said a senior DHS official. “We could keep an eye on one area while dispatching agents to other areas.” I don‘t remember any ’cities’ on the boarder.
Report Post »one.dakine.howlie
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 11:42amThey were testing these last Saturday in the Utah desert near where I live. My wife and I saw several of these just floating in the sky. We thought they were UFOs or something because they were massive and just sat there way up in the sky. They almost resembled whales. It was crazy. I can tell you right now they have been testing these for far longer than they say and I doubt they plan on using them on the border…
Report Post »shogun459
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 12:09pmDo you Really trust any Government not to use this or better on it’s Citizens?
Did you sleep through history or did they just not teach any Real History?
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 10:20am.
Report Post »Great. Just what we need.
A picture of illegals crossing the border.
Hey Janet. It‘s not like we don’t know what’s going on.
Do your job.
mjazzguitar
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 10:03amWe’re going to need a wall sooner or later.
Report Post »Dianne SZ
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:47amWhat is wrong with a fence with razor wire at the top and bottom?
Report Post »Billis820
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:37amSo our government has signed a deal with Good Year? After all the years of watching the amazing overhead shots at sporting events, they have finally realized they can use blimps with cameras for something other than sweeping overhead shots at the Super Bowl I guess.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:43ami guess the blimps will be good for target practice.
Report Post »BuggiOlleo
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 11:07amThat is just what I was thinking..With all the US DOJ arms South of the Border…one Bullet, POP..down comes the $500,000 camera..this is .gov at its finest. Goodyear gets paid we get laid…
Report Post »sjohn70037
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:26amNow what exactly is the point? DHS doesn’t do a damn thing about the illegal aliens in our country and now they want to spend our money to sit and watch them as they cross into America?
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:10amWe are watching you, America.
Report Post »shagstar
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 10:10amwe have one of those things in sierra vista,az
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 2:32pmShagstar – it’s been there for 25 years. It was equipped with radar to look down on the Sab Pedro river. The river bed was a favorite route of drug planes as they could avoid ground based radars.
OMG 2012
Report Post »Grillmark55
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:10amStrap a few mini-guns on those gas bags (the balloons – not Napolitano) and you may be on to something. Otherwise why are you wasting my money? Like was said above, they‘ll last about 5 minutes after the Mexican’s start shooting at them with the guns that we sent to them.
Report Post »SoupSammich
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:06amWe have private drones capable of delivering tacos to anyone, anywhere. And DHS wants to revisit WW1 tech? Why cant we do our taxes a la carte to where we feel it is needed and not stolen? Por que?
Report Post »mikenleeds
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:03amreally stupid idea and a waste of money , the Mexicans will shot holes in the and crash them with the guns king obama gave to them ..
Report Post »more stupid government waste
therealconservative
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:09amThe one I can see from my backyard as been is use for over 20 years, no bullet holes yet.
Report Post »Dianne SZ
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:53amSo….this “new technologic idea” has been operational for the past 20 years……hmmm
Report Post »BeingThere
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:00amThe S.S. Janetalia Napolitano??? LOL
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:11amDidn‘t she kill the border fence because cameras wouldn’t work ?
If the cameras now work, then build the wall.
This is all smoke and mirrors to try to look like obama is doing something about border security. In fact, nothing will happen but empty campaign promises. We now have his track record as proof of his intent and lies.
Report Post »therealconservative
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:32am@TOM
The AEROSTAT has been in use for over 20 yrs
Report Post »123456beatriz
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 8:39amIllegals Chinese are entering from Mexico border and from NY lawyers are defending them and are paying the fine for each chinese detained WAKE UP! AMERICA PLEASE!. AND No only The Blaze is attacked by Soros Media, also the Monumental movie was sabotaged in NC, so THIS is the beginning of the ABUSE from SOROS! MEDIA!. Please also check Bare Naked Islam Europe and Australia are waking UP! FINALLY!. Wake UP! AMERICA!
Report Post »therealconservative
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 8:21amTo all the Conspiracy Folks, the blimp is called an AEROSTAT and has been in use down here along the border for over 20 years.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 8:13am.
Report Post »Why waste the money on a Balloon and Pony Show? We all know they aren’t going to do anything about it………….
kickagrandma
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 8:35amMorning, SPANK…
It’s not about the borders….that is just to keep us asleep or to sucker-in the dolts who still think our government really cares about anyone but themselves and absolute, total control of our nation.
Start with Genesis 50:20 for encouragement for us. I have more to add here in a bit. THIS BATTLE IS THE LORD’S and HE WINS IT ALL.
The homeland insecurity group should see HIS surveillance techniques!
Report Post »mark
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 8:13am“The coverage was amazing. We were able to see activities happening in different parts of the city all at the same time,” said a senior DHS official. “We could keep an eye on one area while dispatching agents to other areas.” So what DHS is really saying is that wherever the blimps are the agents ARE NOT. Brilliant work and waste of tax dollars DHS!!!
Report Post »spikebu
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 8:10amNobody is connecting this with DHS literally devouring ammo? Yesterday I was asking, why the heck does the DHS need all that ammo? I didn’t really expect to get an answer. Wish I hadn’t.
Report Post »spikebu
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 8:20amThis administration is not concerned about our borders. They are concerned about our interior.
Report Post »cassandra
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:00amObama said he wanted a private army just as well funded and strong as our military
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 8:04amHey…they arrested 3100 last week! I could arrest that many by myself! Only 16,598,451 to go!
It was total BS to apease the masses and say…“we are doing something”. Total crap! 3100? Are you trying to make me believe you are doing something? Are you kidding me? 3100???
These blimps just pad the pockets of those who sell them. Probably Obama supporters and a product that will FAIL! I wonder how much they will give to his re-election campaign?
Wake up sheeple!
Report Post »poorrichard09
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 8:11amShould make nice, big, slow moving targets for the bad guys.
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 9:14amNot unlike the Travon media chaos. There are 44 murders a DAY in the US of which 90% are black on black. Where is the outrage there?
Report Post »oldsoldier10
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 8:01amSeriously BLIMPS? Are we not in the 21st century? Whats next put some guys on the border with pointy sticks? No inter-planet Janet N- would never go for breathing humans abating illegal entry into the US, how the F else is McO’Bama the first afroIrsh president going to get reelected? Seriously?
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 10:21amblimps? are you kidding me that is exactly what I thought lets gets some big slingshots and rocks too. just so sick of these idiots
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 7:55amOne more case of Big Sister Napoletano using tech for the watching of the American citizens.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 7:24amWell, we all know these blimps with cameras are for guarding our borders, don’t we?
NOT!
Got some Scripture for you Blazers that’ll encourage you regarding this situation and others like it. You can start with Genesis 50:20 if you’d like. Are there any CHRISTIANS or JEWS working in homeland insecurity? If so, know we are praying for you guys to do the right thing. GOD BLESS AND PROTECT HIS “kids”. We love YOU, LORD, in JESUS’ precious and mighty name, amen.
Report Post »spikebu
Posted on April 3, 2012 at 7:23amCould this be related to the ammo being scooped up by the DHS? Anybody else encounter a 503 with this story?
Report Post »