Base Defense Systems (BDS)

The Base Defense Systems (BDS) program is a critical line item within the Army's Other Procurement budget, specifically under Chemical Defensive Equipment. The primary objective of BDS is to enhance the security and protection of military installations, personnel, and materiel through advanced surveillance, inspection, and detection technologies. The program supports both active and reserve components of the Armed Forces. Applications extend to homeland defense, domestic emergency response, and military support to civil authorities, as mandated by Section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.

Non-Intrusive Inspection System (NIIS) is a family of systems designed to inspect vehicles, cargo containers, and personnel for explosives, weapons, and other contraband from a safe distance. The goal of NIIS is to provide stand-off ballistic and blast protection, maximizing force protection while minimizing manpower requirements. NIIS systems are mobile or re-locatable, supporting urgent counter-improvised explosive device needs in operational environments such as Kuwait and Iraq. Procurement funds are allocated for replacement parts to restore damaged equipment to full operational capability, including repairs to vehicle scanner boom-arms and scanners damaged during rapid retrograde operations.

Ground-Based Operational Surveillance System (Expeditionary) (G-BOSS(E)) aims to deliver improved persistent surveillance and force protection capabilities in expeditionary settings. G-BOSS(E) utilizes modular, trailer-based sensor configurations that can be tailored to base size, offering medium and heavy variants for small and large camps, respectively. The system is designed for ease of operation and maintenance, ruggedness for worldwide deployment, and integration into networked surveillance architectures using government-owned software. Its objective is to provide continuous observation and early warning to commanders, enhancing situational awareness and base defense.

Security Surveillance System (SSS), formerly known as Tactical Security System, is a modular, scalable, and rapidly deployable family of systems for ground-based security and surveillance. SSS supports a variety of missions, including perimeter security, internment/resettlement operations, and internal/external base camp security. The system offers all-weather imaging capabilities for both day and night operations, and can be integrated with other detection technologies such as motion, acoustic, seismic, and subterranean sensors. SSS is designed to address four of the five core base camp protection capabilities: perimeter security, entry control, persistent surveillance, and warning/alerting.

The BDS program is justified by its ability to provide advanced warning and observation capabilities, allowing commanders to detect and respond to threats before adversaries can penetrate base perimeters. This early detection supports more effective force deployment and threat mitigation. The systems included are tailored for rapid deployment in contingency, early-entry, and complex operational environments, ranging from open desert to urban terrain.

Funding for BDS in FY 2026 includes both Base and Overseas Operations Costs, with overseas costs previously financed through Overseas Contingency Operations funding. The FY 2026 Base procurement specifically supports NIIS replacement parts, addressing losses and damages incurred during combat support operations. All quantities and funding for this fiscal year are directed toward active components, ensuring operational readiness and continuity of base defense capabilities.