Feral Jundi

Monday, October 4, 2010

Industry Talk: ManTech Awarded $70 Million Contract To Operate BETSS-C In Iraq

Filed under: Industry Talk,Iraq,Technology — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Matt @ 5:46 PM

     This is another former military task being handed over to a contractor as the mission continues to change in Iraq. This is a very important job, much like the C-RAM contract I mentioned in the past, and the defenses of these bases will depend upon the job performance of these companies. Good leadership on the ground and team dedication towards doing a good job is critical for this stuff.

     It is also critical that these companies take care of their people. Angry and disgruntled contractors in these positions could definitely be a threat to the contract/mission. It is a reality that impacts both the military and private industry, and it is important to treat your people right if you want them to perform. DoD would be greatly served if they maintained a close watch on the performance of these companies and their crucial task, because lives depend upon it. Trust, but verify. –Matt

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USJFCOM contractors use the Base Expeditionary Targeting and Surveillance System – Combined (BETSS-C) to look for suspicious activity on the range during Empire Challenge 10 (EC10). EC10 is an annual USJFCOM-led, multinational intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance demonstration that showcases emerging capabilities and provides lessons learned to improve joint and combined interoperability. (USJFCOM Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Vanessa Valentine)

ManTech Awarded $70 Million Contract to Operate Advanced ISR, Battle Command and Force Protection Systems in Iraq

Oct. 4, 2010

ManTech International Corporation, a leading provider of innovative technologies and solutions for mission-critical national security programs, announced today that it has received a task order under its Strategic Services Sourcing (S3) prime contract to provide Base Expeditionary Target Surveillance Systems-Combined (BETSS-C) operators in Iraq. The multiple-award task order, in support of the U.S. Army’s Project Manager Night Vision/Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (PM NV/RSTA), has an initial period of performance of 12 months and two optional six-month extensions. The expected value to ManTech is $70 million if all contract options are exercised.

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Thursday, December 17, 2009

Technology: $26 Software Is Used to Hack Drones?

Filed under: Iraq,Technology — Tags: , , , , , , — Matt @ 5:37 AM

  I certainly hope they are encrypting all the feeds now. Wow.  So all you needed was a SkyGrabber program to access this stuff? Pffft. Never underestimate the enemy, never. –Matt

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Insurgents Hack U.S. Drones

December 17, 2009

$26 Software Is Used to Breach Key Weapons in Iraq; Iranian Backing Suspected

By SIOBHAN GORMAN, YOCHI J. DREAZEN and AUGUST COLE

WASHINGTON — Militants in Iraq have used $26 off-the-shelf software to intercept live video feeds from U.S. Predator drones, potentially providing them with information they need to evade or monitor U.S. military operations.

Senior defense and intelligence officials said Iranian-backed insurgents intercepted the video feeds by taking advantage of an unprotected communications link in some of the remotely flown planes’ systems. Shiite fighters in Iraq used software programs such as SkyGrabber — available for as little as $25.95 on the Internet — to regularly capture drone video feeds, according to a person familiar with reports on the matter.

U.S. officials say there is no evidence that militants were able to take control of the drones or otherwise interfere with their flights. Still, the intercepts could give America’s enemies battlefield advantages by removing the element of surprise from certain missions and making it easier for insurgents to determine which roads and buildings are under U.S. surveillance.

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Saturday, July 19, 2008

Technology: Surveillance Platforms by Floatograph

Filed under: Technology — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 1:48 PM

     This company is pretty cool.  They sell all sorts of surveillance platforms that could certainly fill a need in the security contracting world.  I am sure there are some companies using them as we speak and that is great.  Systems like this, give you some eyes in the sky and help in the defense of a camp.  And over in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, you see all sorts of interesting systems that do this job.  But back to the potential security contractor use of such things.

     When operating at a remote site that has all sorts of crazy terrain, you need the ability to keep track of of all that terrain.  Can you do that job with one big expensive system that is difficult to set up and break down quickly, or could you use several systems that are mobile/self contained/and easy to set up all over the place?  Each site is different, and I think a company would be smart to choose the correct tool for the job, depending on that site.

    On the downside with these smaller systems, is that if the mast is not totally secure, it could very well whip all over the place in the wind.  Although camera systems do have stabilizing features to work through this, they are not perfect.  But I am sure the company could answer this kind of question for the buyer, but it is definitely something to think about. 

   This company seems to offer all sorts of mobile options.  Also, this company sells the standard blimp systems and they also sell a mast type system that can mount in the back of a F 350 or off a HMMV bumper.  They are all about custom work too.  Good stuff all around, and the pricing is not too bad either.  I do not work for these guys, but I certainly salute their efforts.  –Head Jundi

   

 

Floatograph Website

Kurt Liestenfeltz

Managing Director

9520 Colesville Road

Silver Spring, MD 20901

301-563-3082

9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Eastern Time

301-563-3379 Fax

 

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Jobs: Security and Surveillance Operators, UK

Filed under: Jobs,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 10:43 AM

      This job is primarily for my readers who live in the UK, or for anyone that has an SIA.  If you want an SIA license, you have to go through this group, and I have heard that it is a huge pain in the ass.  http://www.the-sia.org.uk/home  .  -Head Jundi

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Security and Surveillance Operators (UK)G4S Risk Management Solutions are seeking security staff for night time work in the Greater London areas of:
Watford
Chelmsford
Nine Elms
Enfield
Maidstone

And the following UK-based areas:
Manchester
Task is to provide vehicle borne overwatch and surveillance for company activities at night.
Ideally should be ex British Armed Forces or Law Enforcement agencies or with a background in the security industry with a valid SIA license.

Must be bright, reliable, responsible and capable of working on their own in a vehicle.

Positions currently available to start work immediately.

Must be able to work 4/5 nights/ days a week (not weekends).

Must possess a valid driving licence and will be subject to criminal record checks.

£100 a night. No expenses for travel or accommodation, therefore should ideally live close to the area of work.

Contact Robert Blenkinsop on 0207 930 3744.
Apply Online

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