business news Presidential debate monitored for live aerial attacks Las Vegas, Nv (USA) The U.S. Presidential Debate held on October 19th at the UNLV Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, was the first such debate monitored not only for ground threats but also aerial threats, by using Spotter RF’s new award-winning A2000 CSR created especially for monitoring low-flying UAVs (drones). The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) deems presidential debates to be National Special Security Events (NSSE), as they may be a potential target for terrorism or other criminal activity. Spotter RF collaborated with Milestone Systems and the NMS Spotter XP plugin was used to secure both air and ground perimeter at the high profile debate in Las Vegas. Working closely with Las Vegas public safety authorities, UNLV security and federal agencies, the security solution teaming Milestone Systems, NMS and Spotter RF was tasked with threat detection and rapid response law enforcement communications. Milestone Systems advanced video management software (VMS) a solution favoured by many law enforcement officials, has been successfully deployed during previous Presidential Debates in 2012 and 2016. Spotter RF radar supported the latest implementation in Las Vegas with the Spotter XP plugin to provide all-weather, day or night surveillance over wider areas and in the air. “Spotter RF radar helped provide all-weather, day/night surveillance at great distances, over a wide areas and in the air,” states Reinier Tuinzing, Strategic Alliances Manager, Americas, for Milestone Systems. “The integration of our IP video management software and compact Spotter radar device provides a wide defense dome around and above the protected venue.” The new A2000 is the first Spotter RF radar specifically designed for drone detection-anddefeat applications. This innovative and affordable radar has also been named a 2016 Security’s Best Award recipient at the recent ASIS 2016 security trade show held in Orlando, Florida. The A2000 is able to detect small quadcopters at a range of 1,000 metres - the longest range of any other Spotter RF model for that size of target. It is specifically tested in conjunction with drone deterrence technology to provide early detection, tracking and interdiction against drones threatening critical infrastructure such as power plants, substations, bridges, small airports, dams, stadiums and first- The new A2000 is the first Spotter RF radar specifically designed for drone detection-and-defeat applications. responder environments requiring firefighting or law enforcement. “The successful deployment of this solution recognises the potential of combining the power of Spotter radar with Milestone’s advanced video surveillance,” states Logan Harris, CEO for Spotter RF. “The rapid adoption of lowflying aerial drones has increased the burgeoning threats that can endanger people, first responders, and vital infrastructure currently wide open to terrorist and other serious attacks.” Flir to acquire Point Grey for $253 million Wilsonville, Or (USA) Flir Systems has reached a definitive asset purchase agreement to acquire the business of Point Grey Research, Inc., a leading developer of machine vision cameras for use in industrial, retail, scientific, traffic, mapping, and other advanced imaging applications, for approximately $253 million in cash. Founded in 1997 and based in Richmond, British Columbia, Point Grey is a global leader in the development of advanced visible imaging cameras and solutions that are used in industrial automation systems, medical diagnostic equipment, people counting systems, intelligent traffic systems, military and defence products, and advanced mapping systems. Point Grey designs, manufactures, and distributes its cameras and related software to a global base of customers that build systems for improving the efficiency, quality, analysis, and safety of a wide range of processes and products. The addition of the Point Grey business will augment Flir’s existing OEM cores and components business by adding a broad range of visible spectrum machine vision cameras and solutions. Additionally, Flir’s thermal sensor technology, with its unique ability to remotely measure temperature, see through factory obscurants such as smoke and steam, and accurately detect and characterise human activity in retail settings, will further extend Point Grey’s product range into new applica- tion spaces. The business will become Flir’s Integrated Imaging Solutions line of business operating within the OEM and emerging segment. “We’re excited to add the broad range of innovative products from Point Grey to Flir as together we have a unique capability to create advanced sensing solutions for the broad machine vision market,” said Andy Teich, President and CEO of Flir. “Thermal imaging technology provides vision systems customers an alternative imaging spectrum that offers a rich, largely untapped layer of information that can be further leveraged. Point Grey’s global presence and credibility in industrial vision systems provides a strong platform for us to integrate our leading thermal technology. Point Grey is a proven, high-performing business with an impressive set of products, customers, processes, and people, all of which we see as being highly synergistic and strategically significant to Flir. We welcome the Point Grey employees to Flir and look forward to creating highly valuable solutions for a wide array of intelligent imaging applications.” The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2016. Flir anticipates the business and related transaction costs will be approximately $0.01 dilutive to its 2016 earnings per share and accretive for 2017. Security News Every Day – www. securityworldhotel.com 16 • d etektor internati onal