July 9, 2015
Raytheon helps bolster Jordan’s border security
DULLES, Va., July 8 (UPI) – A Raytheon-built system to help Jordan secure its borders with strife-torn Iraq and Syria is now operational.
The system, worth $79 million, was funded by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency and achieved operational capability three months ahead of schedule, Raytheon said. It includes key command, control, communications, and surveillance, or C3/S, capabilities.
“Raytheon delivers border security capabilities across the globe that help protect countries from a wide range of threats,” Dave Wajsgras, president of Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Border Security Operations Center in Jordan. “This work is vital in the Middle East, and we are particularly pleased that we were able to deliver these critical security capabilities to Jordan ahead of schedule.”
The ceremony was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Hussein, the U.S. Ambassador to Jordan, DTRA leaders, Raytheon executives and other Jordanian officials.
Additional capabilities and services will be delivered to Jordan by Raytheon in the coming months. Among them: the design, implementation and testing of a complete C3/S system that includes radars, electro/optical infrared cameras, communications, and command and control software; design, integration and testing of 18 quick reaction team vehicles; the design, acquisition and testing of solar-based renewable power systems; integration of all sensors into a common operating picture using Raytheon Clear View Security Solutions; and upgrades to the Border Security Operations Center.
Raytheon will also train system operators, administrators and maintainers and transition system and sustainment capability to border forces.
Opening of the border control center in Jordan follows Raytheon’s recent completion of a coastal monitoring system in the Philippines, which was also funded by the U.S. agency.
“We use a product-agnostic approach and tailors border security solutions to the host nation’s specific needs,” said Todd Probert, vice president of Mission Support and Modernization at Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services. “Our team has delivered on that model supporting DTRA border security contracts across the world in Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and in Jordan.
"In total, the systems we have installed protect 4,500 miles of borders.”
Political instability and violence in Syria and Iraq are viewed as serious threats to Jordan. Both countries are battling the terrorist forces of the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, who seek to establish a Muslim caliphate in the Middle East. In addition, Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad is fighting other rebel groups in Syria who want his overthrow.