Scientists Test Anti-Terror Spyware

28 May 2010

Today scientists have launched a new test of groundbreaking technology aimed at curbing terrorist activities.

Military research laboratory in Wiltshire are testing a new sensor and data-processing system in an airborne surveillance test.

The technology is designed to help track the movement of terrorists, specifically those trying to use home-made bombs.

Experts are predicting that, if the technology is as successful as expected, it could help to drastically reduce fatalities in war zones such as Afghanistan as well as ensuring citizens in the UK are protected from terrorist attack.

Improvised explosive devices, or IEDs are proving to be the preferred weapon for insurgents as they can be harder to detect by British forces.

Countering the threat of IED is one of the Ministry of Defence's top priorities and this new technology is hoped to provide a kind of ultimate CCTV.

Planes and helicopters have been flying across the restricted airspace above the Wiltshire lab, collecting a range of images and data.

Electro-optical cameras were used to try and identify people in unusual poses, such as holding weapons, or hiding undercover.

Andrew Seedhouse, a spokesman from the Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), stated: "Think of it as the ultimate CCTV system.

"An incident occurs, perhaps an IED goes off, and we can use this host of data to back track over time.

"Who was near the scene and where were they before the incident? What buildings or vehicles can we now associate with the incident?"

Seedhouse stated that the research should be able to assist scientists looking for anomalies in behaviour and environment. In turn this should allow these scientists to properly alert the appropriate forces before an incident occurred.

The two week trial has already collected 40 terabytes of data - which is said to be equal to 40,000 copies of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

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