One of the standout solutions in this realm is Leonardo’s ATOS (Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance) system, a platform designed to revolutionise how both law enforcement and the military operates, according to the manufacturer.

ATOS is an integrated, multi-sensor, and multi-platform system that provides high-end surveillance, monitoring, and command and control capabilities for security and defence operations. Developed by Italian aerospace, defence, and security company Leonardo, ATOS is designed to enhance the effectiveness of various security operations by combining a suite of technologies that improve situational awareness, tactical decision-making, and operational coordination.

The system is modular, adaptable, and scalable, meaning it can be deployed on a wide range of platforms, from manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to land-based command posts. Its versatility makes it ideal for border security applications where large, diverse geographic areas must be monitored, and rapid, accurate decision-making is crucial.

Multi-Sensor Integration

One of the most powerful features of the ATOS system is its ability to integrate various sensors, including radar units, infrared and electro-optical cameras, and communications systems. By combining data from these different sources, ATOS provides border patrol operators with a comprehensive, real-time picture of the situation on the ground. Whether it is tracking suspicious vehicles along remote border areas, detecting illegal crossings at night using infrared cameras, or intercepting illicit communications, ATOS delivers situational awareness that is critical for responding to security threats.

Command and Control Capabilities

The ATOS system’s command and control features allow for seamless coordination between different security agencies, which is essential for effective border patrol operations. It enables rapid sharing of real-time information and video feeds between aircraft, ground units, and command centres. This interconnectedness ensures that border security forces can quickly assess a situation, allocate resources, and coordinate responses, leading to faster interdiction of threats and more efficient resource deployment.

Real-Time Data Analysis

The integration of advanced analytics within the ATOS system allows security forces to process and interpret large volumes of data quickly and accurately. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, ATOS can autonomously detect potential threats such as unusual movement patterns, vehicle anomalies, or the presence of unauthorized persons in restricted areas. This automatic analysis reduces the burden on human operators, allowing them to focus on the most critical aspects of the mission while ensuring that potential threats are identified and flagged instantly.

Versatile Platform Deployment

The ATOS system can be deployed on a variety of platforms, providing flexibility for different operational needs. Whether mounted on fixed-wing aircraft for large-scale aerial surveillance, helicopters for rapid deployment in specific border zones, or UAVs for more localized and covert monitoring, ATOS is adaptable to a wide range of mission profiles. Its ability to integrate seamlessly with existing platforms means that border patrol agencies can enhance their capabilities without overhauling existing infrastructure.

Long-Range Surveillance

The system’s long-range surveillance capabilities allow for monitoring vast border areas, including remote and hard-to-reach locations. By leveraging high-performance radar and electro-optical/infrared sensors, ATOS can detect and track objects over long distances, providing border security personnel with early warnings of potential intrusions or suspicious activities. This extended range is especially beneficial for countries with extensive borders or challenging terrain, where conventional patrol methods may be insufficient.

Enhanced Interoperability

ATOS is designed to be fully interoperable with other security and defence systems, such as national radar networks, communication systems, and even other border security agencies’ technologies. This interoperability allows for improved collaboration between agencies, enabling the sharing of data across borders and between different levels of government, which is essential for tackling transnational crime and ensuring comprehensive border security.

Applications of ATOS in Border Security

ATOS’s multi-sensor capabilities make it particularly effective for monitoring official border crossings and detecting illegal crossings. By combining radar and infrared sensors with real-time video feeds, ATOS can detect unauthorized movement even in low-visibility conditions such as at night or during inclement weather. In the event of suspicious activity, operators can quickly deploy ground patrol units to intercept intruders before they cross into restricted areas.

Border security forces can use ATOS to monitor remote, unmanned sections of the border, where traditional patrols may be ineffective. The system’s ability to detect vehicles, boats, or individuals involved in smuggling activities enables early identification of illicit shipments and better enforcement of customs regulations. Whether intercepting drugs, weapons, or human trafficking operations, ATOS improves the ability of border patrols to disrupt illegal trade.

Illegal immigration is a significant challenge for many countries with porous borders. ATOS’s surveillance capabilities allow border patrol agencies to monitor high-risk areas, detect human movement along the border, and intercept migrants before they enter the country. The system’s ability to track and record movements also helps authorities gather intelligence on human trafficking networks and organized crime syndicates involved in illegal immigration.

The system’s infrared and optical sensors make it invaluable for search and rescue operations, particularly in difficult terrain or along coastlines. In the event of a distress call or missing persons report, ATOS can quickly identify the location of the individuals and provide real-time information to rescuers, enabling them to navigate safely to the area and deliver aid.

Leonardo’s ATOS system is, according to the manufacturer, setting a new standard for border security operations by providing advanced surveillance and command capabilities that address the growing complexities of modern border challenges. With its multi-sensor integration, long-range surveillance, and real-time data analysis, ATOS is described as a game-changer for border patrol agencies, enabling them to more effectively detect, track, and respond to security threats. As global border security needs continue to evolve, ATOS offers a flexible, scalable, and powerful solution to ensure national security, protect borders, and combat transnational crime, something which South Africa could certainly make use of for its border management challenges.

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Some years ago Denel approached local universities to take part in the research and development of new generation aircraft: an unmanned helicopter (Prowler) and manned aeroplane (Small African Regional Aircraft – SARA). The Prowler was developed in conjunction with Armscor.

The resulting RW-UAS is day and night operable and is equipped with optical sensors and an optional radar sensor. The standard observation sensors include a thermal imaging camera, high definition colour TV camera, auto tracker, laser rangefinder and designator. The optional radar sensor offers synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imagery as well as ground moving object indicator imagery.

Capable of automatic vertical take-off and landing, the RW-UAS can operate and navigate autonomously, with 10 hours of endurance with the standard payload. With an additional 80 kg payload, the system has a four hour endurance. Maximum take-off weight is 560 kg.

With a fully articulated five-blade main and tail rotor system, Denel notes the system has a low noise profile and can operate from a variety of landing zones, even from the back of a vehicle and vessels, making it competitive in this weight class.

The RW-UAS has an airframe length of 5.9 metres, with a rotor diameter of six metres, and a height of 1.7 metres. It is powered by a 4-cylinder, 4-stroke turbocharged petrol or diesel motor, capable of propelling it to a speed of 200 km/h.

Intended applications include law enforcement, public safety, border patrol, wildlife monitoring, area surveillance, powerline inspection, disaster management, search and rescue, communications relay, and geological surveying.

The aircraft’s flight modes include Autonomous mode, with autopilot control in accordance with a pre-planned flight plan, including auto take-off and landing. Trajectory mode makes use of autopilot, which executes route commands from the Ground Control Station (GCS). A sense and avoid capability is included, along with communications fail mode, which executes an autonomous flight to a predetermined landing point. There is also provision for engine rotor failure, which executes autorotation and an autonomous landing.

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Through the tender, the SAPS intends to establish a network of Local Security Control Rooms through various police precincts, each observing not only internal secure areas at police stations, including evidence rooms and equipment rooms. These control rooms will then create a larger security network, in which selected incidents can be escalated to a National Security Control Centre (NSCC). The tender document notes in respect to network requirements that it “must be possible to escalate from Local Security Control Centre to [NSCC].”

The tender document notes that bidders must “ensure that all equipment offered is of the latest technology and the latest available model and software release.” Other requirements listed include infrared (IR) illumination, “for both indoor as well as outdoor use in conjunction with the cameras offered such that supplementary IR illumination can be deployed where required.”

In locations where existing backup power generation is needed, or current backups are inadequate, “suppliers are required to provide backup power solutions in several forms, including diesel-powered generators, hybrid inverters with lithium-ion batteries, UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) and solar panels for the CCTV and access control systems.”

CCTV Quality Levels

A minimum of 12 frames per second is required to monitor, “with at least 250 pixels in height over the average length of a person, given as 1.6 meters.”

Recognition quality must achieve facial recognition on the standard test faces of ROTAKIN CCTV evaluation target, “with adequate fidelity to 97% recognition.” (The ROTAKIn target was developed by the UK Home Office Scientific Development Branch as a means of auditing the efficiency of a CCTV system.)

Forensic identification quality specifications require the system to have the capability to define micro level features like scars, moles and wrinkles. This level of quality “should enable identification beyond degree of reasonable doubt.”

Identification of specific items is another requirement, to allow for the capture of “numbering and writing on sealed evidence containers.”

Data storage is required to facilitate investigation of incidents that occur within SAPS facilities. Storage of data is required for a minimum of six weeks.

All potential bidders will be required to demonstrate all CCTV cameras, access control systems and all sub-systems defined within the specifications. Bidders will be required to demonstrate equipment quality, camera picture quality over different distances and conditions along with a degree of technical competence.

Detailed technical training is another stringent requirement, to be provided for selected SAPS personnel, at either a SAPS training facility or a convenient and suitable location for the bidder at their cost.

Each system must include a detailed user manual upon installation and sign off, with the bidder providing additional remote telephonic assistance to users.

Further, elements of the system must be operable in the full range of South African natural environments, including thermal range from -20 degrees to +60 degrees. Any outdoor components must be resistant to water and any corrosive atmospheres.

Bidders are to take note that the provided systems must be scalable and expandable, as future requirements could be needed. Equipment housing must be lockable and with tamper alarms generated when unauthorized entry is attempted.

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