The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate recently entered into a partnership with Asymmetric Technologies worth $199,814.31 to enhance small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) within Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
CBP said its use of sUAS will support its mission capabilities and will support greater situational awareness among its agents in detection, tracking, apprehension, and search and rescue missions.
“Through the Silicon Valley Innovation Program, CBP has the opportunity to address our emerging technology needs, one of which is protecting our sUAS systems against a cyber-attack,” CBP Acting Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said. “Developing technologies and capabilities to secure our hardware and software platforms is critical for deploying sUAS technology.”
The award was given under the DHS Silicon Valley Innovation Program Other Transaction Solicitation, which funds non-traditional companies that offer various homeland security-related solutions. Companies participating in the program are eligible for up to $800,000 in non-dilutive funding to adapt commercial technologies for homeland security initiatives.
In its proposal, Asymmetric Technologies said it would develop a platform-agnostic secure sUAS flight controller, along with improving cybersecurity for CBP-deployed commercial systems.
“Simple enhancements to deployed systems can become the differentiator in both technology lifespan and mission success,” Robert Griffin, acting DHS under secretary for Science and Technology, said.