‘Go anywhere’ surveillance
Brian M Walters
The need to seal long, featureless borders that may be difficult to access has encouraged Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems to develop Mobile Surveillance Units (MSU) designed to operate autonomously, or as part of an integrated border management system.
Shown in model form by Finmeccanica (Stand 1711, Italian Pavilion) but also participating in the daily vehicle mobility demonstration, the Pinzgauer 6x6 has been chosen as the preferred platform for patrolling over difficult terrain. However, when such agility is not required, the equipment could be mounted in a Mercedes van. The equipment not is standard on all versions of the MSU, a modular concept having been adopted so that the vehicle can be configured for individual user needs.
The introduction of MSU throughout the European Community provides covert reconnaissance of illegal activities and has greatly improved the efficiency of intercept and arrest. The MSU can be configured for border, coastal, harbour and key asset protection, but one can be specially equipped to function as a command vehicle to review and control all other MSUs when a dedicated mobile control centre (MCC) is neither needed nor available.
A dedicated control centre vehicle provides command and control of several MSU and intercept vehicles, operating autonomously or networked to a central command headquarters. All MSUs are equipped with an integrated digital mapping system that provides an overview of mission activity, but for overall situational awareness, the MCC utilises mapping data to provide a full tactical display. However, if full central command of all assets deployed nationwide is required, a satellite uplink can be provided to transfer video and data transmission from all MSUs under the control of an MCC to a central command headquarters.
 A model of the specially equipped MSU can be seen on the Finnmeccanica stand but the real vehicle performs daily in the mobility demonstration |