Harris Corp. unveiled the Harris Border Security Shelter, a system that links information and communications technologies used to detect illegal border crossing or other threats to national security. The shelter’s advanced technologies can help increase the flow of information and speed response times to potential threats. The Border Security Shelter is a rugged, self-contained field command center that combines communications, command and control, and sensor systems under a single roof, tied together with either the Harris Falcon“ II tactical radio network or existing networking infrastructure.


The Border Security Shelter provides an IP-data backbone for receiving, synthesizing and redistributing various forms of secure transmissions. Border Security Shelter can be permanently installed at fixed locations or rapidly deployed to special areas of operation. Multiple shelters can be deployed and linked to form protective networks. The shelter is configurable and scalable to suit customer needs. It is also adaptable to other applications such as protection of ports or other security needs. The shelter was developed through Harris Corp.’s International Government Systems business, which combines the company’s expertise in systems integration with its portfolio of world-class radio products.

“The Border Security Shelter serves as just one example of what our International Government Systems business will do for customers—creating highly advanced integrated networks that enhance communications and decision-making,” said Steve Marschilok, general manager of International Government Systems (IGS) for Harris Corp. “Our customers depend on reliable, robust and secure communications systems. Harris businesses have the integrated capabilities to provide the networked solutions that meet the needs of our customers.” The shelter brings together in a single location many of the technologies that border protection forces need to carry out their missions. From these locations, force personnel are able to monitor border areas using ground radar, unattended sensors and SATCOM radio; and send and receive e-mail, images or other forms of media. A version of the shelter being demonstrated at the Defense Systems & Equipment International (DSEi) exhibition combines various tactical radio technologies such as HF, VHF, multiband and microwave radios, as well as unattended ground sensors. The DSEi shelter also features remote networked management and advanced Harris visualization/data fusion software known as Harris Safeguard.