Washington, D.C. — The first SBInet integrated mobile sensor tower tested successfully in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. During two days of testing, engineers examined the tower’s infrastructure to ensure it can be deployed while meeting established technical criteria, such as for the interfaces between power, data, cameras, radar, and the tower’s security system.

According to Dr. Kirk Evans, SBInet Program Manager, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), “The tower and its components functioned as expected. The cameras provided clear, stable imagery, and we are confident that the design is repeatable for deployment along the border.”

The 98-foot high tower is a key element of the mobile component of the SBInet system. It provides the relocatable version of the platform for SBInet’s main sensing capability that will deliver the ability to detect andentify entries into the U.S. when they occur (who they are, how many, etc.); allowing the Border Patrol to effectively and efficiently respond to the entry and resolve the situation with appropriate law enforcement. The tower houses cameras and radars, wireless data access points, communications and computer equipment, and a tower security system to prevent tampering with its operations.

When combined with Border Patrol agent vehicle modifications, the mobile sensor towers will provide surveillance data to the Common Operating Picture (COP) as a critical component of CBP’s comprehensive border security solution.

The first tower will arrive at the Tucson assembly center in time for a mid-April deployment. All nine towers for the Southwest border will be deployed by the end of May. Following deployment of all nine towers, engineers will field configure and test the towers’ interfaces with the SBInet COP and agent vehicles. This moves SBInet one step closer to its goal of initial operational capability for Project 28 by June.

The Secure Border Initiative (SBI) is a comprehensive multi-year plan to secure America’s borders and reduce illegal immigration. SBInet is the program component of SBI responsible for integrating critical areas such as personnel, infrastructure, technologies, and rapid response capability into a systems approach to border protection, in collaboration with the Boeing Company and its subcontractors.

The goal of SBInet is to provide the CBP Border Patrol agent, the CBP officer and the CBP Air and Marine interdiction agents tasked with securing the borders of the United States every advantage in denying the illegal entry of people and contraband.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

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