NCJ Number
191573
Date Published
1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This chapter makes recommendations for actions the United States can take to protect lives against terrorist attacks using bombs.
Abstract
After the June 1996 attack of the Marines in Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, the military wondered how the United States could produce the most sophisticated weapons, yet lose personnel to much cruder weapons. A Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Tiger Team was formed to develop technologies to combat terrorism. The team broke the problem of terrorism down into four categories: terrorists and terrorist groups; weapons and support; targets/vulnerabilities; and consequence management. Figure 12-1 provides some technical solutions for combating terrorism. The team determined that solutions would require: 1) detailed, automated association and correlation of large volumes of data linked with data from law enforcement agencies, intelligence organizations, and other organizations; 2) a fusion of a variety of text messages, databases, criminal activity, images, and audio recordings; and 3) codes that analyze terrorist behavior patterns for high-fidelity data collection. Developing three-dimensional capabilities would allow experts to "visit" areas that need protection. Because bombs make up the largest threat, materials need to be developed to harden structures, such as windows.