Addressing border challenges in the Sahel region with RF technology

By CRFS

Countries in the Sahel region face one of the most challenging border environments in the world due to the region’s unique geography and political complexities. The vast, porous, and often unmanned border regions are renowned for smuggling, trafficking, and terrorist movement.

Criminal networks exploit gaps in surveillance, relying on portable communication devices to coordinate operations.

In this context, RF technology can provide a practical, scalable, and effective tool for detecting and geolocating communication signals, enabling border forces to gather real-time intelligence, monitor, and respond to illicit activities.

This article presents a proposed concept of operation (CONOP) for a border force operation in the Sahel region.

CONOP: Identify a terrorist network using RF monitoring

Problem
Border forces operating in the remote region between the Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon borders face significant challenges in detecting and interdicting a known terrorist network. This network is exploiting the porous border area to traffic weapons, narcotics, and people to finance its operations. Traditional surveillance methods, such as fixed checkpoints and routine patrols, are resource-intensive and often ineffective due to the scale of the terrain.
Source: Google Maps

Criminal communications
Criminal actors use push-to-talk VHF/UHF radios, satellite phones, and, to a lesser extent, mobile networks to coordinate their operations.

As VHF/UHF radios allow for quick, low-profile exchanges, they are the preferred choice for communication, particularly for smugglers, traffickers, and militant groups moving rapidly over land. Satellite phones are used to maintain secure, long-range communications. And cellular networks, although mostly inaccessible, allow a ubiquitous method of communication.

Each of these communication methods leaves an RF footprint that can be detected, geolocated, and exploited by modern RF monitoring technology.

Mission
Deploy a network of RF sensors to detect and disrupt the smuggling networks by identifying and geolocating their communication signals in real-time, enabling targeted interdiction operations and enhancing border security. Unlike other forms of surveillance that require direct visual confirmation, RF sensors can geolocate transmitters from long distances in all weather conditions.

RF spectrum monitoring allows border forces to detect suspicious activity around 20 kilometers beyond their network. This capability enables forces to deploy manned patrols precisely when and where needed, giving them ample time to investigate or intercept threats.

Commander’s intent
Locate a smuggling network and apprehend the commanders by detecting and geolocating their RF emissions. By creating a vast area network of rapidly deployable RF sensors on drones, vehicles, and rapid deployment masts, border force C2 can monitor the situation remotely, providing local patrols with actionable signals intelligence and accurate geolocations when suspicious signals are detected.

Through cross-border cooperation and shared intelligence sent to local border forces, the goal is to disrupt smuggling operations by preventing illicit activities before they reach critical locations. Border agencies can significantly reduce operational costs and improve overall efficiency by focusing patrols on confirmed activity rather than conducting labor-intensive routine sweeps.

Operational overview
Border forces will deploy an integrated RF monitoring system using mobile vehicle-mounted sensors, UAV-based surveillance, and rapid deployment RF masts to create a layered smart RF network.

The data collected will be processed by a mobile command center (Toyota Hilux or similar), and the software will use signal detectors rather than mask-based triggering to generate real-time alerts on suspicious activity. This will reduce the manpower required for the operation.

Execution plan
The operation will be carried out in four phases. Each asset deployed will be part of a wide-area sensor network that will hunt RF transmissions along a suspected terrorist operational area.

1. Deploy two patrol units in Toyota Hilux trucks equipped with RF sensors in rugged cases, which will remain in one location. These vehicles should be strategically placed and potentially equipped with additional sensors and telescopic masts.
2. Deploy two patrol units in Toyota Hilux trucks with a tethered drone in the cargo bed with an integrated RF sensor. At a height of 100m, line-of-site will be extended to 35.7 km, allowing the unit to operate in inaccessible areas without being detected.
3. Deploy three temporary, rapid deployment masts with RF sensors and antennas at key chokepoints to extend the network and provide continuous, unmanned monitoring. These masts can be transported, deployed, and collected by patrol vehicles and powered by solar and portable generators.
4. Deploy a high-altitude aerial asset, such as a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or an aerostat. These will increase the surveillance zone and act as a deterrent, potentially pushing criminals in a convenient direction for border forces.

Roles and responsibilities of organizations involved
Border patrols and military units

• Deploy and operate RF monitoring units, UAVs, and rapid deployment masts
• Respond to alerts and intelligence from C2
• Respond to interdiction efforts based on detected threats
  Command and Control (C2)
• Analyze RF data to identify and locate suspicious transmissions
• Generate real-time alerts for deployed patrols
• Coordinate interdiction efforts
• Share intelligence with national and regional security agencies

End state of operation
By deploying scalable RF monitoring technology, border forces will gain real-time situational awareness, allowing them to geolocate suspected criminal communications precisely. This capability will disrupt smuggling networks. Instead of relying on inefficient routine patrols, border forces can then deploy more strategically and effectively, focusing their resources where they are needed most rather than relying on ineffective routine sweeps.