Expeditionary Equipment: Perimeter & Security Solutions

Perimeter & Security Solution

First Line of Defense

The perimeter security system forms the FOB’s first line of defense, safeguarding personnel and equipment. A properly designed perimeter security system should perform in an integrated, layered, defense-in-depth manner so that FOB security forces can achieve the deterrence of threats and prevention of attacks. The security elements that comprise an effective perimeter security system include physical barriers, guard shacks, security lighting, and access control points.

Safariland Ballistic Resistant Enclosures® (BRE®)

Guard Shacks

Guard shacks increase operational security by giving security personnel an opportunity to see potential threats from a greater distance while providing protection from ballistics and the elements. Guard shacks typically secure to a concrete pad, platform or tower and are connected to power. To meet the fast mobilization necessities of expeditionary usage, ideal guard shacks feature energy conserving and modular configurations for optimized efficiency and mobility. A few of the basic options required in a guard shack are:

Barriers

Barriers are an integral part of the perimeter security system and serve to facilitate control of individual and vehicle ingress and egress. They define the perimeter of the FOB and establish a physical and psychological deterrent to potential attackers and individuals that would otherwise attempt unlawful or unauthorized entry. While mountains and rivers act as natural barriers, most environmental circumstances require warfighters to bring barrier structures with them to theater. Concrete barriers are proven, effective barriers, but deployment of them is labor-intensive and they are extremely costly to transport.

CBP Mobility Wall

Hard-Sided, Earth-Filled Bastions

In contrast to concrete barriers, hard-sided, earth-filled bastions act as a comparable replacement, offering many logistical and deployment advantages. Logistically, these barriers minimize transportation weight and volume requirements, requiring far fewer trucks to deliver to forward positions. The barriers’ geo-composite material is composed of collapsible wire-mesh cells lined with geo-textile fabric. They easily collapse for transport and fill with earth upon deployment. This design allows the walls to transport at only 5% of the as-constructed weight and volume. When it comes to deployment, hard-sided, earth-filled bastions allow a squad-size number of personnel to quickly lay out the perimeter, including corners and/or rounded sections. Then, filling the bastions only requires a front loader.

Lighting

Protective lighting allows security personnel to observe activities outside or inside the installation in addition to discouraging unauthorized entry attempts. The higher the level of brightness, the more likely it is that security personnel will be able to spot threats at low-level contrasts and those that are only visible for a few seconds. Perimeter lighting types include continuous lighting, glare lighting, standby lighting, emergency lighting or motion-activated lighting. All of these exterior lighting types should minimize the exposure of security personnel. In order to minimize power consumption, lighting equipment should employ energy efficient bulbs. Leveraging hardened lighting equipment means less breakage, longer lifespans and less maintenance. High wind stability also adds extra protection against breakage and unnecessary repairs. Light towers that use energy efficient generators consume less fuel and help minimize logistical dependency.

Access Control

Checkpoints, or Access Control Points (ACP), enable military personnel to control access to areas and resources in given location or facility. Depending on the threat, the asset to be protected, and the availability of protection and security forces, checkpoints are often part of a larger access control plan. At Traffic Control Points (TCP’s), security personnel control traffic flow and movement in order to prevent unneccessary traffic delays.

Traffic Control Point Kits

When warfighters man Traffic Control Points (TCP’s), they need a wide variety of equipment to protect themselves and the resources they are guarding. Because checkpoints are frequently temporary and erected in many different locations, all necessary equipment must be mobile, durable and energy efficient.

• Voice translation devices
• Speed bumps
• Lighted traffic cones
• Spike strips
• Remote area lighting systems

Containerized Weapons Systems

At entry points and other forward areas that may be too high-risk to deploy security personnel, Containerized Weapons Systems (CWS) offer a unique remote-operable security tool. To increase perimeter security and enhance operational firepower, remote weapons systems are easy to relocate throughout the installation, providing warfighters with an effective deterrent to any sort of attack from insurgent forces. Built inside 20 ft. ISO shipping containers with elevated optional Common Remotely Operated Weapons Stations (CROWS II), CWSs allow units to employ organic direct fire power support from a protected location. The weapon system itself – typically a M250 caliber machine gun, Javelin anti-tank missile or Stinger – operates remotely via a networked Ethernet hub, or from inside the container. Forward installations also benefit greatly from advanced Containerized Weapons Systems, remotely-controlled firepower that provides warfighters with yet another security layer in hostile nevironments. CWS interiors are typically easy to customize to the end user specifications, offering communications, surveillance, targeting and fire control capabilities. CWS’s often include self-contained power generators, environmental controls, lighting, and ammunition storage systems.