The virtual fence is part of the Secure Border Initiative developed to control illegal immigration and drug smuggling. The prototype fence consists of nine electronic surveillance towers (one of which is pictured above) along a 28-mile section of the U.S. - Mexican border southwest of Tucson, Arizona.

The fence was said to be inadequate, despite the fact it has aided in more than 3,000 apprehensions since agents began using the system last December. One problem cited by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) was the lag between movement detection and transmission of an image to agents.

Boeing will rewrite the software to improve image transmission. Additionally, the new series of towers will be equipped with improved communications systems, cameras and radar capability.

Groundbreaking for the new, permanent towers is expected to begin in July, and at least five of the current tower sites will be moved. The original contract given to Boeing was for $860 million.

Source: By Tech Ex