When a sensor degrades, what steps should the BCC take to maintain coverage?

• A. Shutdown the entire BCC until restoration.
• B. Increase sensor gain to maximum only.
• C. Reallocate assets, switch to backup sensors, adjust search patterns, and issue a status update with contingency timelines.
• D. Ignore and continue with original plan.

Answer: (C)

When a sensor degrades, the aim is to keep the area under surveillance covered by adapting how resources are used and keeping command informed. Start by reallocating assets: shift other sensors or teams to cover the area the degraded sensor would normally handle, so there isn’t a blind spot. If backup sensors are available, switch to them so a similar sensing capability remains in place without waiting for the degraded unit to be fixed. Reevaluate and adjust search patterns to reflect the new sensing reality—this could mean changing patrol routes, increasing monitoring in adjacent sectors, or modifying timing so gaps are minimized despite the reduced performance. At the same time, issue a status update with contingency timelines to let leadership know what’s changed, what is being done to restore full capability, and how long the restoration is expected to take.

This approach maintains coverage and keeps operations synchronized during the degradation. Shutting down the entire center, maxing out gain without addressing the underlying capability, or ignoring the issue would all risk losing situational awareness and coordination.