NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Secures Unique Aircraft With Wireless Video Surveillance

The AgileMesh/Firetide system secures a recently leased hangar that houses NASA's SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) and DC-8 Airborne Laboratory aircraft, both of which are unique in the nation. The rapidly deployable, solar-powered, high-resolution wireless system transmits evidence-grade video from the perimeter of the hangar to the on-site security operations center. The video is monitored in real time; personnel patrolling the perimeter communicate with the operations center and can respond to incidents, such as an unauthorized entry, within seconds.

"Our AgileMesh/Firetide system is an incredible 'force multiplier' for asset protection and employee safety," said William Crews, chief of security at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. "My team's role is not only to secure the research aircraft, which are high-dollar-value national assets, but also to ensure that the utmost attention to safety procedures is paid by all -- be it employees, contractors or visitors. Without the system, I would need to hire six additional personnel to provide 24/7 monitoring. Now I can deliver the same level of security, with the benefit of a permanent video record, with limited staff."

The eight-camera system was set up in less than a day. Using embedded Firetide mesh technology, the AgileMesh units wirelessly transmit video signals to a head-end node located in the security operations center. The video is stored for 30 days for incident review and investigation, and has already provided information leading to improved enforcement of safety procedures. For example, such seemingly trivial oversight as not checking vehicles' tires for debris before entering a flight line may lead to the loss of aircraft, if debris gets into an engine. The biggest deployment challenge came from the unexpected side: how to secure the AgileMesh units to the ground in the high desert, where winds can reach 60 miles per hour (20-gallon water containers, serving as anchors, did the trick).

"The flexibility and rapid deployment of AgileMesh equipment lends itself well not only to emergency situations, but also to asset protection in highly sensitive locations, when time is of the essence," said Joseph Stefan, president and chief executive officer of AgileMesh. "The unmatched throughput that Firetide mesh technology delivers is a great benefit to customers who need high-resolution real-time video for both situational awareness and evidentiary purposes."

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