Tactical Automated Security System The Tactical Automated Security System ( TASS ) is a U . S . Air Force intrusion detection and surveillance system used for security monitoring around fixed site airbases , semi - permanent Forward Operating Base s ( FOBs ) , and other mobile tactical deployments . The system consists of thermal imager s , sensors , communications , power and annunciation components . The system provides for wide - area and perimeter intrusion detection , assessment , and surveillance via both hardwire and UHF / VHF communications . Sensor technologies within TASS include wide - area and short range radar , microwave , thermal , active and passive infrared , seismic , magnetic , and trip - wire . New sensor types are always being evaluated for future introduction . For fixed and semi - permanent site installations , delay / denial capabilities may also be used within TASS such as fence sensors and various barrier technologies . TASS users can receiver sensor alerts via hand - held ( roving patrol ) devices and / or map based PC annunciators known as Sector Command Posts ( SCPs ) , which can also communicate events to a centralized Base defense operations center ( BDOC ) . TASS operators can employ a variety of camera systems such as CCTV and high tech military cameras such as Wide - Area Surveillance Thermal Imagers ( WSTI ) and Long Range Thermal Imagers ( LRTIs ) which detect enemy movement by tracking body heat or other heat resonances . Such thermal devices can operate in total darkness while still displaying a daylight like image to the operator . Camera devices can be programmatically linked to automatically slew to a target ' s location upon sensor activation which provides for near real - time assessment . TASS communications is via RF and / or hardwire , depending on the TASS element being considered . Microwave links are also used for long distance communications with outlying devices such as the WSTI , LRTI and RADAR equipment . For tactical deployments , the system is designed to be packed into specialized containers of varying sizes that support differing levels of capability . This allows for efficient movement of equipment by aircraft to designated locations while delivering just the right amount of equipment required . Once arrived , containers are unpacked quickly providing for fast system set up . For a pure tactical footprint , the entire system can be set up without any specialized tools ( a hard requirement for TASS ) . Prior to introduction into the current baseline , new TASS components are rigorously tested by specially trained test squadrons operating from Eglin AFB , FL . Inclusion of new equipment undergoes a lengthy and involved process to determine requirements compliance , mission suitability , and interoperability / interchangeability with current baseline elements . Equipment must meet rigid military environmental requirements , including extreme temperatures , EMI / EMR , drop / shock , and Mean Time Before Failure ( MTBF ) minimums . Many devices fail to meet one or more TASS standards and thus do not get employed which is a constant frustration for vendors attempting to gain access to the TASS market . TASS has evolved and has been refined for more than a decade allowing for major additions and improvements in equipment functionality , reliability , and operational availability . TASS has been and continues to be used very effectively in Iraq and Afghanistan where early detection of insurgents is critical to personnel and material survivability .