Asynchrony Provides Support to National Guard with Mobile Field Kit
St. Louis, Mo. (PRWEB) July 17, 2014 -- Asynchrony, a division of Schafer Corporation, and lead contractor for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) on the Mobile Field Kit (MFK) software, provided an updated release to National Guard Civil Support Teams (CSTs) to assist in the security efforts of various 4th of July events. In support of an ongoing research and development project, the MFK, developed by Asynchrony, is deployed by five pilot CSTs in survey, protection, and threat-detection missions across the country.
In April, Asynchrony provided support to the National Guard using the MFK during the Boston Marathon which assisted in the protection the 36,000 runners and approximately 1 million spectators. The MFK was used to identify and communicate potential Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threats across the area of interest along the marathon route. Combining the use of seven tactical computers and a command and control computer connected via a wireless network, the field teams were able to communicate and manage the safety of this major public event.
“We are privileged to put state-of-the-art collaboration tools and real-time sensor data in the hands of field team members,” said Bob Elfanbaum, co-founder and General Manager of Asynchrony. “It’s paramount to mission success for field teams to acquire effective tools for communication, collaboration, situational awareness and management.”
At The Boston Marathon, the National Guard-Ied teams outfitted with Man-portable Detection Systems (MPDS), performed sweeps during the race and were able to report the readings to the MFK via a wireless network. The outfitted teams were set up to be mobile with the MFK for dispatch to areas of concern in the event of a potential threat.
Stationed at the Tactical Operations Center, the MFK Command and Control computer provided a common operating picture displaying sensor readings and recorded data that could be shared with other Government agencies and First Responders. 18 fixed sensors capable of CBRN detection spread throughout the Area of Interest along the race course reported sensor data to an MFK node. In addition to the on-site tactical nodes connecting to the MFK around the race route, additional computers connected remotely from other National Guard Support Teams to observe the mission from afar.
At a large scale event, like a July 4th celebration, safety is our primary concern,” said Lt Colonel Matthew Woolums, Commander 1st CST. “The MFK was instrumental to our teams and greatly helped improved their ability to effectively carry out missions that are increasingly more demanding.”
The MFK is government off-the-shelf software that provides remote sensor data fusion, and collaboration and common operational picture capabilities. Since initial testing, the Civil Support Teams have utilized MFK in multiple training events, standby missions, National Special Security Events (NSSEs) and response missions. The MFK is typically configured in a package that includes the software, hardened tablets and laptop computers, secure wireless mesh-networking and hardware facilitating WAN connectivity via cellular, satellite or other networks.
To learn more about the Mobile Field Kit and Asynchrony, please visit http://www.asynchrony.com.
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About Asynchrony:
Asynchrony is an information technology consulting firm specializing in application development, mobile computing, systems and sensor integration, enterprise architecture and tactical collaboration. An early adopter of Agile development, the company’s mission is to create high-impact software solutions through ongoing client collaboration, iterative development and continuous testing. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Asynchrony’s client base includes commercial, non-profit and government organizations. In 2010, Asynchrony joined Schafer Corporation, a scientific and engineering company providing technical solutions to mission critical challenges in national security.
About Schafer Corporation
Schafer Corporation is a provider of scientific, engineering, and technical services and products applied to defeating national security threats. The Company has a national footprint supporting mission-critical programs for customers including the US Air Force, US Army, US Navy, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Missile Defense Agency (MDA), United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and National Security Agency (NSA). The Company has been widely recognized for its technical expertise and ability to provide objective analysis that leads to the development of innovative, problem-solving solutions.
About DTRA:
DTRA is the U.S. Department of Defense’s official Combat Support Agency for countering weapons of mass destruction. Agency staff include Subject Matter Experts on WMD to address the entire spectrum of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high yield explosive threats. DTRA’s programs include basic science research and development, operational support to U.S. warfighters on the front line, and an in-house WMD think tank that aims to anticipate and mitigate future threats long before they have a chance to harm the United States and allies. SCC-WMD, the U.S. Strategic Command Center for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction, synchronizes Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction efforts across the military’s geographic commands and leverages the people, programs and interagency relationships of DTRA at a strategic level. DTRA works with the military services, other elements of the United States government, and countries across the planet on counterproliferation, nonproliferation and WMD reduction issues with one goal in mind: Making the World Safer.
Julia Darrenkamp, [email protected], 407-579-0245, [email protected]
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