In the latest border technology initiative, officials will tailor plans to fit different stretches of the geographically diverse border by selecting from a menu of technology. Here are descriptions of the items on the menu:
• Night-vision goggles provide agents with a long-range infrared image of the desert floor.
• Agent-portable surveillance systems include a tripod-mounted, long-range infrared sensor and camera, plus a battery and a laptop. They can be carried by two to four agents into mountainous or remote areas.
• Helicopters, airplanes and unmanned aerial systems help agents patrol mountains, canyons and other remote areas that are difficult to reach on foot or by car.
• Motion sensors: Some are buried, some trigger a camera; both send a signal to a central command center.
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• Truck- mounted mobile surveillance systems have infrared cameras and radar displaying sensor information in the cab of the truck. Ideal for hilltops.
• Integrated fixed towers have cameras and radar that collect and send images and information to command centers. These include towers from the scrapped virtual fence as well as new ones.
• Remote video surveillance systems are pole-mounted day-and-night cameras mostly used close to urban areas.
