AS DHS embarks on virtual fence part III, Gobal Border, technology business grows.

• Author: Magnuson, Stew
• Position: Homeland Security News

The year-long hold on Customs and Border Protection's controversial Secure Border Initiative will do little to dampen the market for technologies that can monitor international lines of demarcation, said an analyst who predicts growing global sales in the sector.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Robert Nutbrown, a defense industry reports writer at the London-based Visiongain, said border security technology markets will grow almost 5 percent to $25.1 billion by 2020, with high demand for perimeter surveillance, fencing and unmanned aerial vehicles. North America will continue to be the largest market, but there will be other opportunities in regions such as the Middle East, said Nutbrown, who wrote "The Border Security Market 2010-2020" report.

"In terms of the SBInet project in the U.S., I think Middle Eastern countries will inevitably look at the huge challenges faced in the implementation of such high-tech border security solutions and may rethink some of their plans," he told National Defense in an email. "But regional governments' appetites for striving to secure their borders through similar means will not be diminished. And with so much of the region currently in turmoil, I am sure governments will be redoubling their efforts to control the flow of people across their borders if they can."

CBP issued a request for proposals for new sensor deployments earlier in the year and has renamed the program "Alternative (Southwest) Border Technology." DHS officials said there will be a new competition to select a contractor.

Meanwhile, the incumbent Boeing will continue to be the contractor of choice for CBP, it was revealed at a recent House Homeland Security Committee hearing. Government Accountability Office Director of Homeland Security and Justice Issues Richard M. Stana said the company received a one-year contract to continue operating and maintaining the program in Arizona with a possible six-month extension.

As for Boeing's interest in competing for the new program, spokeswoman Jenna MeMullin said, "Once we have requirements to review, we will likely decide then."

Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and BAE have told National Defense that they are interested in the new program.

David Aguilar, CBP deputy commissioner and former chief of the Border Patrol, said one of the main lessons learned from the recently cancelled program is that "software integration is not an easy thing to do."

The third iteration of border sensors will be proven, commercial...