Glitch Renders 'Virtual Fence' Unusable

[The Straight Story]

Glitch Renders 'Virtual Fence' Unusable

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Because of a software glitch, the first high-tech "virtual fence" on the nation's borders remains inoperable, three months after its scheduled debut.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said he is withholding further payment to the prime contractor, Boeing Co., until the success of the pilot project stretching 28 miles near the border southwest of Tucson.

Nine 98-foot towers laden with radar, sensors and sophisticated cameras have been built in an area heavily trafficked by illegal immigrant and drug smugglers. The towers, each a few miles apart, are intended to deter or detect border crossers and potential terrorists and enhance the ability of Border Patrol agents to catch them.

More testing is expected by early October, Chertoff told the House Committee on Homeland Security this month in Washington.

"We are now looking to begin acceptance testing in about a month," Chertoff said - meaning the point at which contracting officials give the go-ahead for testing - "and we will then kick the tires again."

http://news.wired.com/dynamic/stories/V/VIRTUAL_FENCE?SITE=WIRE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[napi21]

1. Sooo, how does this "fence" differ from all the survelience cameras

being currently used EVERYWHERE? I heard this report yesterday, and that Boeing just can't seem to get it working. I think because Boeing is, by contract, responsible for any cost over-runs, they just don't want to spend the $$ to make it work right!

[backscatter712]

2. Operation Whack-a-mole continues...