SRCTec awarded DHS ultralight aircraft detection system contract

SRCTec has been awarded a $99.9m contract by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a detection technology that will help the department to identify undetected aircraft used by drug dealers.

Drug dealers are increasingly using low, slow-flying aircraft, weighing less than 300lb and carrying minimal amounts of fuel to smuggle drug loads across the border, as reported by Government Security News.

The contract follows a legislative act introduced by the former Representative Gabrielle Giffords’ in Congress, which was signed into law by the US President Barack Obama.

According to the provisions of Tariff Act of 1930, "ultralights" (ULA) was added to the definition of aircraft under aviation smuggling and also supports inter-agency cooperation between the Department of Defense and the DHS in developing the detection technology.

Aimed at the southwestern border, the contract urges the Air and Marine Operations Center in Riverside, California, US, to support data transmission for the system.

The US Customs and Border Protection is also seeking similar technology that can be operated with or without the support of CBP communications infrastructure.

With sensors located in remote areas, the system should be able to track around 25 targets as well as withstand the high temperatures in the southwestern border region.

Established by the University of Syracuse in 1957, SRCTec is a not-for-profit, research and development company that supports defence, environmental and intelligence agencies with new innovative solutions.