Military surveillance involves collection and monitoring of information about someone or something over a period of time. Surveillance is done with the aim of protecting and maintaining critical operations and the infrastructure of the country. Such aspects range from protecting the important people such as the president or guarding facilities that harbour weapons for the protection of the nation to observing and gathering intelligence that can be used to prosecute offenders.
In today’s modern world, the level of sophistication in surveillance has reached new levels. The incorporation of drones attests to the high levels of technology employed in the military surveillance. Other sophisticated surveillance equipment includes moored balloons. The equipment employed in military surveillance is designed to capture images that may help in locating people and operation points.
A drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle. It is a miniature aircraft without a pilot on board. It is usually autonomously controlled or controlled via remote by a qualified pilot on the ground. Various drones vary in characteristics and specifications. Drones are predominantly a military surveillance system although some governmental agencies are licensed to use them albeit strict monitoring by the military arm of Government. Drones are used in cases where manned crafts are deemed inapplicable.
Surveillance systems are capable of facial recognition, object detection, intruder detection and other functions such as license plate detection. One key aspect of surveillance equipment is the video, voice or picture capturing technology used. Most surveillance systems have an integrated camera for visual capturing, a storage unit for the captured information, an enabling device for mobility and monitoring and analytical devices for surveillance effectiveness.
Integrated cameras are used in military surveillance systems. The cameras come in the form of CCTV. CCTV abbreviates for closed circuit television. This is a video system that is either covert or visible and intended for a limited number of people. A transmission signal is used to relay the collected information to a limited number of monitors for analysis. Through CCTV, security is upheld and strategies are drawn to reinforce areas that display easy breaching and security loopholes.
In the wake of increasing use of CCTV, several complimenting systems have been developed in order to enhance CCTV cameras’ effectiveness. Equipment such as time lapse VCR’s, infrared illuminators, combiners and web camera servers ensure that image capture is timely, near perfect and possesses automated storage systems for future viewing. The quality of image is increasingly becoming sharper and clearer because of technological advancements.
Military surveillance is also done for border patrol purposes and air surveillance. Moored balloons are structures designed to float in air and are filled with helium to support mobility while in the air. These surveillance systems employ the principles of buoyancy and aerodynamic lift to operate. They may or may not carry passengers. The surveillance mode is usually attached to the balloon to gather information while the balloon hovers over the area.
Space surveillance is probably the most sophisticated military surveillance system. The satellites used are capable of transmitting real time information about events occurring at any part of the world to a limited number of viewers. These systems are only available to the military and certain levels of office in the police department.
Security breaches subside up to 75% once surveillance systems are employed. Recent reports support this claim. Looming danger and potential intrusions are quelled before they actually happen thanks to surveillance systems. This is the main reason behind having the military and its use of some of the most technologically enhanced surveillance systems in the world today.