Telephonics to supply surveillance vehicles for U.S. border

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection has awarded Telephonics Corporation a $13.5 million contract for its Mobile Surveillance Capability vehicles.

The vehicles will be used for surveillance operations along the U.S.-Mexican border. The contract includes additional options for system deliveries and Integrated Logistics Support. The vehicles have been used for over nine months to support the agency's Operational Utility Evaluation.

"Monitoring and protecting the U.S. border is critical to our national security and Telephonics is extremely pleased that CBP has chosen our surveillance vehicle to assist with this important responsibility," Telephonics president and CEO Joseph J. Battaglia said in a statement.

Telephonics' Mobile Surveillance Capability, also referred to as the Radar and Video Enforcement Network-Mobile, or RaVEN-M, is an integrated ground surveillance system designed to track moving targets.

The system is able to classify small and slow-moving targets for Customs and Border Protection agents, including low-flying objects such as unmanned aerial vehicles. It can be used for multi-functional surveillance coverage from the ground to altitudes up to 15,000 feet.

"MSC enhances the effectiveness of our nation's very capable border patrol agents by providing them with a suite of advanced sensors integrated with a sophisticated decision-making tool set, to successfully detect, classify, track and ultimately apprehend lawbreakers at our borders," Battaglia added.