What the heck is an MTV-II? No, it's not a recreation of the infamous "MTV" (music television). It's much more valuable than that! This electronic perimeter monitoring system is (essentially) a handy package of ruggedized components that allow for video security in a given area. In today's operational environment, where a secure perimeter is required - say on a high school or university building - how do you get enough eyes? The MTV-II is a turn-key solution that increases your ability to observe parts of the perimeter without having to have another man deployed.
Now I should admit up front that when it comes to testing technology such as the products from Millennium Sensor I feel woefully sub-standard. I can understand the concepts and the applications, but I don't feel like I, by myself, can really test the unit out. I mean, it's supposed to act as a virtual perimeter security system of sorts. To test that, the perimeter needs to be violated and the system has to do its thing showing you the breach. So, to test it out, I took it to a local elementary school and set up the remote triggers with the cameras and monitor. Of course, I did this after school hours and with the permission of the principal. (gotta throw that in there so I don't tick people off).
Having already admitted that I'm not the most technically capable person, I'm not ashamed - but am in fact quite proud - to say that I got everything set up on my second try. It would probably have helped if I read the instructions before making my first attempt. The bottom line though is this: if I can do it, then almost any trunk monkey can be taught how.
The concept is this: The four Mobile Remote Triggers (MRT) and cameras can be deployed for perimeter, line or point specific monitoring. When activated, the MRTs alert the person monitoring the system and can activate a camera as well. This allows the person monitoring to not only know of the breach, but also to see that area immediately.
During my test session I was rewarded with an alert about the janitor coming out the back door of the school and I could watch him roll his trashcan over to the dumpster to empty it. While that's not "high speed, low drag", it was sufficient for me to believe that the system worked as designed.
With that in mind, I tried to think of a bunch of scenarios that such a system might be of value in. Of course, it would have been easier (again) to read the material from Millennium Sensor (I've never liked to do things the easy way). According to the published material (and I agree with it) the system can be used for:
- force protection / force multiplication
- Surveillance
- Recon missions
- Monitoring choke points
- Counter Drug Operations
- Border Patrol (talk about increasing manpower)
- Temporary Personnel Control (area control)
- Monitoring paths of travel
- Monitor utility / infrastructure
The system comes with:
- four B&W cameras (ruggedized)
- four MRTs (mobile remote triggers)
- four P3-100 point sensors
- a P3-200 body worn monitor
- a wireless remote transmitter
Given the nature of this equipment, there aren't tons of T&E sets laying around. If you're interested you need to contact the folks at Millennium Sensor and get your name on a waiting list. Or, you can find out what conventions or expositions they'll be at so you can see demonstrations. If you have need of the capabilities this system offers, you should definitely check them out.
Stay safe!
