DHS to offer $1-2 million in tunnel-sensing technology
Concerned about illegal immigration, government asks private sector for a solution; sensors, IT, and geospatial imaging to play a role; temperature differences between soil within the tunnel and without may be a key indicator
Those who follow Middle East politics know that among the biggest challenges faced by Israel on its borders with Egypt and Gaza are tunnels used by Palestinian militants to smuggle weapons into the occupied territories. America has similar problems, though in its case the problem is illegal immigrants, not terrorists (so far, at least). Hoping to get a jump on the problem, DHS has announced that its Advanced Research Projects Agency now plans to issue $1-2 million in contracts and grants for companies to develop innovative methods of using sensor technology, geospatial imaging, and IT to detect such tunnels — with more to come if the initial investments pay off.
“A potential long-range DHS solicitation will help further development such as in mission-planning software, high-level data fusion with other data streams and modeling of near-surface phenomenology to improve sensor performance,” the agency announcement said. Among other things, interested companies should consider that excavated tunnels leave behind a number of subtle signs, including dips in the ground above them and signatures such as the temperature difference between soil above the tunnel and the adjoining ground. Each contract will be worth $100,000-200,000. Interested parties must register their intent by 11 March and submit their proposals by 18 March. Proposals for a second round are due 15 September.
Nota bene: Readers should recall that Yahud, Israel-based Magal recently sold its PipeGuard sensor system — intended to protect oil pipelines — to an unnamed bank. The purpose: to prevent ambitious bank robbers from tunneling in from below. Among other strengths, PipeGuard uses sensors which filter out seismic signals to reduce false alarms. As Magal CEO Izhar Dekel said at the time, “We expect this order will be followed by more orders from this customer and from other banks worldwide during 2007.” Companies interested in the new DHS contract may wish to give him a call.
-read more in Wilson P. Dizard III’s Washington Technology report
