In March of 2001, Quanta Systems was tasked by the U.S. Navy to define, develop, and engineer a 'Proof of Concept' system in response to the bombing of the USS Cole.
The goal was to provide early warning and intelligent imaging of potential waterborne threats to Naval assets.
The final design, approved by the U.S. Navy, is a ship or shore-based system that uses Surface Radar that scans a designated exclusion zone within a harbor or along a shoreline to announce and track crafts and vessels, identified as targets, as they enter the defined area.
The Typical WSS System Includes:
- 1 Radar Tower
- 1 Long-range Thermal Camer
- 1 Short-range Thermal Camer
- 2 Day Camera
- 1 Operators Consol
- 4 Color Monitor
- 1 Radar Interface Serve
- 1 Navigational Software Server
WSS System Integration
The system integrates commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment consisting of single or multiple surface search radar, navigational VTS (vessel traffic system) software, long and short range thermal imagers and closed-circuit television cameras to create a complete shoreline security system. A state-of-the-art digital recording unit is used to retain radar, CCTV and Thermal Imager video displays including navigational data.The Waterside Sentry System is a proven, cost effective, commercial- off-the-shelf tool which acts as an early warning system. The various technologies employed result in a highly Advanced Security System that provides a reliable and effective method of attack protection from waterbourne threats.
WSS Command Center
The Operator's Console Station is custom configured for each site. There are a minimum of three PC's, the Operator Display Unit (ODU), the Camera Control PC, and one PC for each radar. The ODU interfaces with each of the Radar PC's, then stitches the video together and overlays the video on a digital chart display. The ODU is responsible for setting auto acquisition zones, tracking targets, setting alarm zones and generating audible alarms.
The Camera Control PC gets target bearing and range input from the ODU on targets that have crossed acquisition zones. It then tracks the targets with day cameras or thermal imagers, either automatically selecting the nearest available camera or allowing manual selection, depending on user setup. An operator can further identify and evaluate the threat level of the target and give a vector reading for force interception of the target.
The Camera Control PC is responsible for the real time recording of the day cameras and thermal imagers as well as the ODU's radar data with time and object text information on a high capacity recording media such as CD RW or DVD Disk. The ODU is also where you would input sonar sensor information and AIS data if it is being used.
WSS Radar Subsystem
The purpose of the Radar Subsystem is to provide the radar processing PC with radar video for automatic detection and tracking of surface targets. The tracked targets, along with range and bearing information is sent to Electronic Charting Software residing on the Operator Display Unit. This information is displayed on a color monitor and can be used to assist rapid response force deployment.
Multiple radar information can be seamlessly stitched onto a single local electronic navigational chart. The range and bearing information is also sent to the camera control devices for automatic operation.
The usable range of the radar is typically 3 - 5 miles from the shoreline. Multiple radars are "overlaid and stitched" to provide extended coverage, usually no more than 75 miles in length.
The Marine Auto Identification System (AIS) can be used to identify commercial ships that carry AIS identity data. This information aids the operator to assess if the target is hostile, nuisance, patrol or authorized.
WSS Sonar
A Sonar Subsystem can be integrated with the Waterside Sentry System that will detect underwater intruders such as divers with open and closed breathing apparatus, diver delivery vehicles, mini submarines, and submarines. This system is specifically designed for harbor and coastal facility perimeter surveillance, provides for manual or unattended operation, and can give an over all tactical picture of a designated area. The sonar has a range of up to 2000 meters with a 360 degree normal field of view. The system features include high resolution real-time display that includes target range, bearing, depth, speed and heading. It provides automatic target detection, with alarm, and both automatic and manual target tracking. It also has electronic tilt and volume scan.
WSS Thermal Imagers
The Waterside System utilizes a FLIR dual field 100/500 meter, cooled unit for long range (up to 5 miles) observation and a complementing FLIR dual field 50/150 meter un-cooled unit for short range viewing. Thermal Imagers offer a high level of intelligent imaging for both day and night surveillance, with dual field-of-view optics offering wide area surveillance and close-up inspection with enhanced target recognition capability.
The Thermal Imagers are fully integrated into the Waterside Sentry System, and are compatible with fiber-optic, RF or microwave communications for long-range remote operation. Both units (long & short range) are mounted on fast-response environmentally sealed pan/tilt units.
WSS Day Cameras
High resolution color CCTV cameras are used for daylight viewing, and are able to detect targets up to 2 miles. The cameras are placed in a pressurized environmental housing optimally designed to protect camera optics and electronics from moisture, saltwater spray and airborne contaminants. The unit features a receiver, pan/tilt, enclosure, pressurized cartridge and low-light technology. A variety of lenses are available for up to 30X motorized optical zoom.
Marine Physical Barriers
Small Craft Intrusion Barriers
Floating Barriers can be used for deterrence purposes as a line of demarcation. Specially designed buoys can act as both a deterrent and a barrier with signage placed on the bouy or directly on a floating barrier. Harbor and Shoreline Security Fences are designed to prevent entry, not just warn off curious boaters.
Vessel Exclusion Barriers
To protect security zones from large vessels the VEB, an augmented version of the SCIB, can be used. The VEB has sufficient strength to withstand 1,000,000 foot pounds of energy over a 1.5 second period, capable of completely stopping 35-foot vessels traveling at 50 miles per hour (43.5 knots) and significantly impeding larger vessels.
More information about our floating barriers as well as wave attenuation devices can be found at the Wave Dispersion Technologies website.
