Rapid development surveillance vehicle and method
 A rapid deployment surveillance vehicle is disclosed for detecting illegal immigration across national borders and the like. An off-the-road vehicle (V) is equipped with a rapid mast erection/retraction assembly (A) which includes a carriage mechanism (24) which carries a telescoping mast (12). A track mechanism (20) slidably carries the carriage mechanism (24) by means of a fixed support (22) and pivoting support arms (26). Ram air cylinders (52, 54, 56) move the carriage mechanism in translational and rotational movement as guided on the track mechanism in a manner that the mast (12) is moved from a stowed horizontal position to an erect vertical position. During erection of mast (12), a longitudinal roof opening (10) is opened by means of a main door (14) and displacement door (16) in an automatic manner. Once erect, a leveling system (B) checks to ensure that the vehicle is within one degree of level. Both level sensors (182) and pressure sensors (148) ensure that the vehicle is level and that all four jack legs (150 ) are firmly engaged against the ground prior to extension of mast (12). Once the vehicle is within the prescribed level conditions, mast (12) is pneumatically extended to a height of thirty feet whereupon a detection device (28) which may be in the form of an infrared camera is ready for surveillance. Camera (28) is mounted on a pan/tilt device (30) which rotates it in a horizontal plane and tilts it in a vertical plane for increased surveillance. Wiht the mast within one degree of true vertical, a stable platform is provided for camera (28) so that a nondistorted image appears on the display of a monitor (27) remote from the camera. 
B B
B60S B60R
inventional inventional
Mark L.
Hamilton