• US-VISIT to drop exit monitoring program

    After a GAO report criticizes the border security program for technological and management failings, DHS decides to give up on tracking visitors’ egress; high costs of fingerprinting and facial scanning machines a major issue

  • DHS unveils rail security plan

    Experts point to trains carrying hazardous materials thorugh or near densley populated areas as a lucrative target for terorist attacks; DHS offers a plan to have trains and railyeards monitored more closely, but Democrats say it is too little, too late

  • RTI and TAG join forces for a recoilless UAV gun

    Recoilless Technologies International and Tactical Aerospace Group attempt to overcome the structural problems of cutting the size of UAVs; blowback from traditional weapons could damage craft; system will compete with Metal Storm’s stacked projectile approach

  • Otto Hoernig launches new sensor networking firm

    Hoernig previously sold SpaceLink International for $150 million; Trace Systems, based in Virginai, will pursue business with DHS and DoD; market for wireless sensors to reach $1 billion by 2009

  • Texas virtual border patrol goes on-line

    After a one-month stress test, state proclaims effort a success; more than 200,000 register to watch for illegal immigrants on their desktops; one major arrest reported; technological and contracting issues hamper full $5 million roll-out

  • Foster-Miller receives $1 million in DoD funding for Boat Trap

    Development with Coast Guard seems to have paid off; hand-held system, launched from a helicopter, uses a ballistic net to tangle a boat’s engine; 100 percent success rate claimed; Moscow Mills Manufacturing lends a hand

  • Magal sells first PipeGuard system

    Two years ago Magal launched its PipeGuard system, a specialty system designed to protect underground oil pies from saboteurs; it has taken two years and the company has its first client for the system — but it is not an oil company; the first client is a bank interested in protecting itself from bank robbers who might try to tunnel their way into the bank

  • BAE Systems to build U.K. UAV demonstrator

    £124 million project the third in succession for the Ministry of Defense; UAV said to be similar to company’s Hawk system; first flight expected in 2010; Rolls Royce, QinetiQ, and Smiths Aerospace also involved; BAE is looking for British vendors

  • DHS names six ports to kick-start the Secure Freight Initiative

    Port Qasim, Puerto Cortes, and Port Salalah among the first to install radiation detection equipment; DHS allocates $60 million to buy the equipment; Dubai Ports once again in the news, but nobody has yet to complain; only 7 percent of outgoing cargo to be inspected

  • Bush orders new look at ground transportation security requirements

    Chertoff ordered to provide a sector by sector analysis; close consultation with state and municipal authorities should provide some clarity; report will emphasize technology needs and set research priorities; announcment preempts an incoming congress steamed about ground transportation failings

  • Aurora Flight Sciences to test new Goldeneye 80 UAV

    Federal government hopes for success in effort to encourage UAVs to run on standard diesel fuel; procurement efficiency at issue; Goldeneye 80 goes up against Honeywell UAV for DARPA funding, and both move forward into Phase 3 testing; winning UAV will support small units on tactical missions

  • CA Bay Area port officials find a creative way to get federal funding

    After federal port security bill shortchanges local ports, authorities consider counting a recently-passed bond measure among matching funds claims; voters earmarked $100,000 for port security; Port of Oakland looks to build biometric portals and enhance RFID capabilities

  • French launch UAVs to stop Israeli flights over Lebanon

    International peacekeepers seek to ease tension over Israeli surveillance activities said to violate cease-fire; Israelis charge French with trying to undermine local UAV industry

  • Sago succesfully tests iPat airport screening system

    Thermal system screens passengers for weapons and explosives; unlike Z Backscatter, no privacy issues are implicated; handheld version also available; Sago just one of many companies succesfully nurtered by Trex Enterprises

  • Heathrow begins new biometric tracking pilot

    Passengers will scan their fingerprints at self-service kiosks or ticket counters; some will receive iris and face scans; only Emirites and Cathay Pacific flights to Dubai and Hong King effected; Accenture, IER, Raytheon, Sagem Defense Securite, and Sita provided the technology