FPED (Force Protection Equipment Demonstration) (http://www.fped7.org) is the site for the unveiling of the SpotterRF - the world'ss lightest and most compact tracking radar for small military units, border patrol and individual warfighters. Every day our national security is in danger and our warfighters across the world are under constant threat and vulnerable to acts of terrorism especially at night and in poor weather conditions. In the past, these small units have used an array of IR cameras and night vision goggles to own the night. However, these camera technologies are limited by poor weather conditions, range and resolution. Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS) are also used but require putting warfighters in harm'ss way due to extensive perimeter setup time-which can take up to an hour to secure a large area. For example, it takes 84 UGS to secure a 663,000 square meter area, but only one SpotterRF to secure the same area. Additionally, if the unit has to move in a hurry, these UGS are then lost.
Large military units have solved this problem using Ground Surveillance Radars (GSR) that provide force protection during poor weather conditions. However, conventional GSRs are heavy
(100 lbs), expensive, require in-depth training and constant maintenance. Because of these issues, wide scale deployment of radar for small unit operations has not yet happened.
The SpotterRF Micro Digital Radar has changed all of that.
The SpotterRF is the first of a new class of radar called Micro Digital Radar (MDR) that is bringing radar from the age of the mainframe into the age of personal computers because of its
small size, low cost, ease of use and reliability.
MDR is an ideal force protection sensor for small unit operations because it can detect and track people on foot up to 1000 meters away at night, during the day, through fog and in all
types of weather giving warfighters unparalleled situational awareness in the War on Terror while only weighing 3 pounds. The SpotterRF can also track vehicles up to 1500 meters. The
SpotterRF is so simple and easy to use that training can be done in 15 minutes in the field and requires only a web browser and Google Earth. Gathering threat information and avoiding
vulnerability has never been more convenient.
The 3 lb. SpotterRF can be quickly mounted to the top of a vehicle with magnetic mounts, powered by the cigarette lighter and communicates with a laptop over Ethernet. Within minutes a
vehicle becomes a mobile tracking radar command center giving the user the ability to know what is coming long before the hostiles have any idea that they are being monitored. This
provides the warfighters the needed time to prepare before coming under fire.
The SpotterRF is about providing 24/7, all weather perimeter security for our warfighters who deserve and demand the best technology that is available, stated Logan Harris, CTO of ImSAR.
SpotterRF'ss unique small size, light weight, and low power consumption make it ideal for small unit area defense, facility surveillance, border surveillance, route security, perimeter
security and clandestine deterrence applications.
Just as the use of computers was transformed from a few highly trained technicians using mainframes to millions of individuals MDR is making radar accessible to a whole new group of
people. For the warfighter this means that instead of just a few commanders having access to tracking radar, all warfighters can have real time all-weather situational awareness provided
by Micro Digital Radar.
Initial units will be available for purchase at the end of May, 2009. The SpotterRF will be released at FPED (Department of Defense Force Protection Equipment Demonstration - www.fped7.org) on May 19th through the 21st at Stafford, VA. The SpotterRF is collaborating with Ultra Electronics (www.ultra-ussi.com), the inventors of the Hyperspike audio beam, to demonstrate dismount detection and perimeter deterrence at FPED. Come and visit booth
9A at FPED to see a live demonstration.
To schedule a private demonstration of how this revolutionary new technology can significantly enhance your force protection systems visit spotterrf.com/forceprotection (http://www.spotterrf.com/forceprotection).