Image: Base Expeditionary Targeting and Surveillance System-Combined (BETSS-C)From Washington Post:
The Army is increasing its deployment of high-tech systems to protect U.S. forces based in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In a new wrinkle in surveillance, the Army is expanding security monitoring stations, with closed-circuit television taking feeds from pan-tilt-zoom cameras, mid- and long-range thermal imagers mounted on towers, and blimplike aerostats tethered to the ground.
The two-year, $1.5 billion program, called Base Expeditionary Targeting and Surveillance System-Combined (BETSS-C), was described last Thursday to the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense as an "urgent requirement."
Lt. Gen. N. Ross Thompson III told the subcommittee of a major need for "improved persistent surveillance" at the 450 joint security stations, forward operating bases and combat outposts manned by U.S. troops. The new systems are being installed at rates of nine to 12 locations a month in Iraq and 13 a month in Afghanistan.
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My Comment: Once these systems beaome standard .... and they will .... sneaking up on your target will be a thing of the past.