One of the key objectives of Frontex is to keep Member States informed about new technological developments in the field of border control. To this end Frontex organizes, with the support of Member States, practical demonstrations of new technologies.
The technical systems used for the surveillance of EU external borders include different types of sensors, specific communication systems and software. Tethered Balloons/Aerostats can play an important role in further enhancing border surveillance by filling gaps that are not covered by other border surveillance technologies or where they may represent a more cost effective or permanent border surveillance tool that can be applied in different environments. More in particular Balloons/Aerostats capable to carry Radar, AIS, EO/IR sensors as well as with an system open architecture to guarantee the compatibility with existing surveillance and communication systems are of interest.
Frontex would therefore like to invite to this one-day workshop representatives of leading Vendors / Operators of such equipment to: allow industry to explore and better understand the implications of potential use cases for Balloons / Aerostats; help Frontex to explore and understand potential providers issues/questions/concerns about the usage of Balloons /Aerostats deployed for maritime surveillance tasks; allow industry to express their interest to participate in a trial and demonstration event of existing Balloons /Aerostats in a maritime environment planned by Frontex for 2016.
To attend the workshop you will need to register by e-mailing rdu-technology-assessment@frontex.europa.eu as soon as possible. Please, include in your registration e-mail a short text describing: The experience your company has operating Balloons /Aerostats; The existing products your company has in this field.
Attendance capacity is limited, invitations will be determined on a strict first come, first served basis so in order to avoid disappointment you should express your interest as soon as possible. The closing date (and time) for the registrations is 25 July 2016 @ 24:00 h, Warsaw local time.
The workshop meeting will take place at Frontex HQ located at Plac Europejski 6, 00-844 Warsaw, Poland, 4 August 2016, from 09:00 to 17:00 hrs Warsaw local time.
For any further information required at this stage, please address: Zdravko Kolev at zdravko.kolev@frontex.europa.eu