UPSC CISF-AC-EXE

What are MANPADS (Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems) ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Surface to Air Missiles” option2=”Air to Air Missiles” option3=”Portable Drones” option4=”None of the above” correct=”option1″]

MANPADS stands for Man-Portable Air-Defense System. These are shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) designed to engage aircraft, typically helicopters or low-flying fixed-wing aircraft. They are portable by a single individual or a small team.

MANPADS are a type of surface-to-air missile designed for portability and use against aircraft.

MANPADS pose a significant threat to civil aviation, particularly during takeoff and landing phases when aircraft are at lower altitudes. Security measures at airports and surrounding areas often include counter-MANPADS strategies.

A Mini Remotely Operated Vehicle (MROV) should be capable of conducting EOD and surveillance inside

• 1. aircrafts.
• 2. passenger terminal buildings.
• 3. buildings and terminals.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option4″]

A Mini Remotely Operated Vehicle (MROV) equipped for EOD and surveillance is designed to operate in various environments, including confined spaces and public areas, to investigate suspicious objects or conduct reconnaissance without risking human life. In an airport environment, suspicious items or potential threats could be located inside aircraft cabins, lavatories, or cargo holds (1), within the public areas of passenger terminals (2), or in other buildings, offices, or cargo facilities within the airport complex (3). A versatile MROV would be capable of navigating and conducting operations in all these locations.

MROVs are versatile tools used in EOD and surveillance across diverse environments, including those found within an airport.

MROVs used in security or EOD contexts are typically equipped with cameras, manipulators (arms) for interacting with objects, and sometimes other sensors like chemical detectors or disruptors. Their size and maneuverability make them suitable for accessing areas that may be dangerous or difficult for human personnel.

According to the prescribed specifications, the NLJD should be capable of detecting ABCD circuit buried under dry soil up to a depth of at least

[amp_mcq option1=”12 inches” option2=”18 inches” option3=”24 inches” option4=”36 inches” correct=”option1″]

Technical specifications for security equipment like NLJDs, particularly in regulated environments like airports or security forces, often prescribe minimum performance standards. While the exact standard referenced here requires specific documentation (likely from BCAS or procurement guidelines), detecting electronic components like ABCD circuits (possibly referring to standard electronic logic circuits used in timers or triggers) buried under dry soil is a typical application for NLJDs in search operations. A depth of at least 12 inches (approximately 30 cm) is a plausible minimum requirement for such detection capabilities in certain operational contexts. Without access to the specific official specification, it is difficult to confirm definitively, but 12 inches fits within the expected performance range for such equipment detecting small buried targets.

NLJDs are used for detecting buried or concealed electronic components. Performance specifications include detection depth.

The effective detection depth of an NLJD depends on various factors, including the power of the transmitter, the sensitivity of the receiver, the size and orientation of the target non-linear junction, and the composition and moisture content of the medium (soil, walls, etc.) it is searching through. Dry soil generally allows for better penetration compared to wet or highly conductive soil.

A non-linear junction detector is capable of detecting

[amp_mcq option1=”devices containing semi-conductors.” option2=”conventional explosives.” option3=”plastic and liquid explosives.” option4=”All of the above” correct=”option1″]

A Non-Linear Junction Detector (NLJD) is a device used to detect electronic components. It operates by transmitting a low-frequency signal and listening for harmonic responses characteristic of non-linear junctions found in semiconductors (diodes, transistors, integrated circuits). This allows it to locate electronic devices, such as listening devices, cameras, GPS trackers, or electronic components within an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), even if they are switched off.

NLJDs detect devices containing semiconductors, which are fundamental components of electronic circuits.

NLJDs are primarily used in technical surveillance counter-measures (TSCM) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) or search operations to find hidden electronic devices or components of IEDs. They do not directly detect explosive materials themselves, but rather the electronic triggering or control components.

A highly sophisticated Multi-Zone DFMD is capable of detecting

[amp_mcq option1=”metallic items above a set threshold level.” option2=”metallic as well as non-metallic items.” option3=”metallic items, non-metallic items, as well as conventional explosives.” option4=”metallic items, non-metallic items, as well as all explosives including plastic and liquid explosives.” correct=”option1″]

A Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD) works on the principle of electromagnetic induction. It detects changes in a magnetic field caused by the presence of metallic objects as a person passes through the frame. A Multi-Zone DFMD provides better spatial resolution, indicating the approximate height location of the detected metallic item. Regardless of sophistication or the number of zones, the core function of a DFMD is limited to detecting metallic items.

DFMDs are designed specifically for the detection of metals.

Detection of non-metallic items or explosives requires different technologies such as X-ray scanners (for density and shape), trace detectors (for chemical residues), or advanced imaging systems. While some modern screening systems might integrate multiple technologies, a device solely described as a Multi-Zone DFMD primarily performs metallic item detection.

The perimeter lighting at the airports should be provided on the

[amp_mcq option1=”inner side of the airport along the perimeter road and focusing towards the perimeter fencing/wall.” option2=”top of the perimeter wall focusing outside the perimeter.” option3=”top of the perimeter road and focusing inside the perimeter.” option4=”top of the watch-towers focusing outside the perimeter wall.” correct=”option1″]

Perimeter lighting at airports is crucial for detecting unauthorized entry into the airport area. The lighting should be positioned and directed to illuminate the area between the perimeter fence and the airport boundary or patrol road. This allows security personnel (often patrolling the perimeter road) and surveillance systems (like CCTV) to detect intruders approaching or attempting to breach the fence from the outside, or moving along the inner side of the fence.

The primary purpose of airport perimeter lighting is intrusion detection. Therefore, the lighting must effectively illuminate the vulnerable zone immediately adjacent to the perimeter barrier on the airport side.

Standard specifications for airport perimeter lighting require specific lux levels and uniformity across the illuminated area. The lights are typically mounted on poles along the perimeter road or just inside the fence, and are angled to cover the area between the road/mounting point and the fence line.

What is the prescribed height of the airport perimeter wall ?

[amp_mcq option1=”10 ft of wall with concertina coil overhang of 2 ft” option2=”8 ft of wall with concertina coil overhang of 1½ ft” option3=”9.5 ft of wall without any concertina coil” option4=”10 ft of wall or fence” correct=”option2″]

A commonly prescribed height for an airport perimeter barrier includes an 8 ft wall or fence topped with an additional 1½ ft of concertina coil overhang.

Airport perimeter barriers are designed to deter and prevent unauthorized entry. The height and design, including the use of difficult-to-climb elements like concertina wire, are standardized to provide a significant physical obstacle. The concertina coil effectively increases the overall barrier height and makes climbing much more hazardous.

While exact specifications might vary slightly based on national regulations and specific site requirements, the combination of a solid wall/fence of around 8 feet with an added overhang of sharp wire (like concertina coil) of about 1.5 to 2 feet is a widely adopted standard for airport perimeter security worldwide.

What should be the average lux level of the perimeter lighting at the airports ?

[amp_mcq option1=”3.5 lux” option2=”5.5 lux” option3=”More than 6 lux” option4=”The perimeter should not be lit at all” correct=”option1″]

A common recommended minimum average lux level for airport perimeter lighting is 3.5 lux.

Adequate perimeter lighting is essential for airport security during hours of darkness or low visibility. It facilitates surveillance by security personnel and CCTV systems, helping detect unauthorized access attempts across the perimeter. Standards like those from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) or national aviation security agencies specify minimum illumination levels.

While different standards may exist, 3.5 lux on average is often cited as a baseline requirement for airport perimeter lighting, with consideration for uniformity and avoidance of glare. Option D is incorrect as perimeter lighting is a fundamental security requirement for airports.