Terror Response Technology Report,  February 8, 2006

General Dynamics [GD] has entered into an exclusive teaming agreement with Israel's Controp Precision Technologies to become the sole U.S. distributor of the SPIDER and CEDAR electro-optic (E-O) long-range intruder detection systems.

This agreement allows GD to further enhance our homeland security and force protection offerings with these unique system capabilities," says Richard Davitt, vice president and general manager of Precision Systems for GD Ordnance and Tactical Systems (OTS). GD didn't mention any specific business opportunities but the agreement comes just as the Department of Homeland Security is rolling out its acquisition plans for the Secure Border Initiative (SBI), which will involve the integration, and networking of various sensors and imaging systems along the nation's land borders.

These systems have a lot of utility in protecting the border and coastline, John Italiane, senior business development director of Precision Systems at GD OTS, tells TR2. They offer high speed scanning with continuous zoom and automated intrusion detection, he says. The scanning systems are being installed along the Gaza Strip in Israel, he adds.

The CEDAR system is intended for fixed-site applications while SPIDER can operate as a stand-alone unit or mounted on vehicles or other platforms. GD says both systems are ideal for homeland security applications in airports, power plants, fuel storage depots, refineries, water reservoirs, and military installations, and for ground troop security and coastal, border and perimeter security.

Italiane sees opportunities in the area of forward operating base security and critical facility protection.

Both imaging systems operate unattended and provide for full, panoramic scanning. The systems use infrared and daylight imager for automatic motion detection, providing remote operators with real-time, high-resolution imagery and alerting for whether single or multiple objects have been spotted.

GD's Ordnance and Tactical Systems unit plans to establish sales, engineering, production and support operations at its facility in Healdsburg, Calif., using existing employees.