Harbor protection system demonstrated

CHATSWORTH, Calif., Aug. 22 (UPI) -- An underwater fiber-optic sonar system that detects small craft entering protected areas was demonstrated at Lake Erie, Pa., by US Seismic Systems Inc.

USSI, a subsidiary of Acorn Energy, said the test was conducted under a contract with Penn State's Electro Optic Center, sponsored by the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Ind.

The USSI system of two sensor arrays, part of a much larger integrated harbor security system called Harbor Sentinel, detected 100 percent of the intrusion attempts at ranges of as much as 2.5 miles.

In May, USSI achieved similar results during testing of the system in San Diego's Mission Bay.

"There are 360 U.S. ports and harbors that conduct trillions of dollars commerce annually," said Jeff Grannan of NSWC. "Many of these facilities, which are located in close proximity to large metropolitan centers, handle a variety of highly toxic, flammable, and explosive materials.

"Damage to or destruction of containers storing these substances poses a vulnerability to critical U.S. infrastructure, disruption of commerce and endangerment to the surrounding population.

"USSI's new sensor technology can be an effective force multiplier to assist those agencies tasked with the vital role of keeping America safe."

USSI, formerly US Sensor Systems Inc., designs, integrates, manufactures, and sells fiber optic sensing systems and solutions for the energy and defense markets.