National Guard Data Relay and the LAV Sensor System

Abstract

The Defense Evaluation Support Activity (DESA) is an independent Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) activity that provides tailored evaluation support to government organizations. DESA provides quick-response support capabilities and performs activities ranging from studies to large-scale field activities that include deployment, instrumentation, site setup, event execution, analysis and report writing. The National Guard Bureau requested DESA's assistance in the development and field testing of the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) Sensor Suite (LSS). LSS was integrated by DESA to provide a multi-sensor suite that detects and identifies ground targets on foot or in vehicles with minimal operator workload. The LSS was designed primarily for deployment in high density drug trafficking areas along the northern and southern borders using primarily commercial-off-the-shelf and government-off-the-shelf equipment. Field testing of the system prototype in summer of 1995 indicates that the LSS will provide a significant new data collection and transfer capability to the National Guard in control of illegal drug transfer across the U.S. borders.