Secure Asset Tracking for Weapons and Classified Defense Equipment

Secure asset tracking is the use of advanced technology to monitor, control, and document the location and status of valuable items throughout their lifecycle. In commercial contexts, it’s used to manage tools, high-value products, or electronic equipment.

In defence, the stakes are much higher. Weapons, cryptographic devices, communications gear, and other classified assets must be secured not only to protect their value but to safeguard lives, missions, and national security. These assets require:

  • Precise chain-of-custody so it’s always clear who accessed what, when, and why

  • Continuous real-time visibility, even within secure indoor facilities

  • Automated compliance enforcement to meet military regulations and audit requirements

Ubisense SmartSpace® delivers this capability with a combination of high-accuracy real-time location tracking, integration with access control, and automated workflow enforcement.

Why Secure Asset Tracking Is Critical for Weapons Management

A weapons tracking system provides constant oversight for every weapon in inventory — from small arms to heavy ordnance. This includes:

  • Live location visibility at all times

  • Automated logging of issue and return transactions

  • Identification of authorised personnel with security clearance

  • Immediate alerts if assets move without authorisation

For military armouries, this is about more than avoiding loss — it’s about protecting readiness. An unaccounted-for weapon can delay missions, trigger security incidents, and require costly investigations.

RFID Asset Tracking vs RTLS in High-Security Defense Facilities

Both RFID asset tracking and Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) are proven in secure environments, but each serves a different role:

  • RFID Asset Tracking: Best suited for control at defined checkpoints (e.g., armoury doors). Passive RFID tags are low cost and scalable; active RFID extends detection range. However, RFID typically won’t provide exact in-room location once an asset is inside.

  • RTLS (Ultra-Wideband, GPS, or Hybrid): Delivers continuous tracking down to centimetre accuracy. Ideal for identifying the exact storage rack, shelf, or workbench where an asset is located.

For the highest level of security, many defence organisations use RFID and RTLS together — RFID for perimeter access control, RTLS for precise internal location.

For further reading on technology choices for secure asset management, see the U.S. Army’s Logistics and Materiel Readiness Technology Overview (external link).

Compliance Tracking Systems for Sensitive Equipment

A compliance tracking system ensures that every movement, inspection, and handover of sensitive assets follows the correct procedure. SmartSpace® enforces compliance by:

  • Logging each asset transaction with operator ID, timestamp, and location

  • Blocking unauthorised issue or movement

  • Verifying that required inspections or tests are complete before release

  • Retaining a secure audit trail for years to meet regulatory demands

This is particularly important for cryptographic devices, which may require destruction or re-keying if chain-of-custody is broken.

Real-Time Location Tracking in Military Armories

In a high-security military armoury, real-time location tracking enables instant answers to key operational questions:

  • Where exactly is each weapon or device right now?

  • Who last handled it?

  • Is it in authorised use or secure storage?

Using ultra-wideband RTLS, SmartSpace® can locate assets to within a few centimetres, detect movement in unauthorised areas, and trigger real-time alerts. This reduces the risk of both internal and external security breaches.

Key Capabilities of SmartSpace® Secure Asset Tracking

  • Real-Time Location Awareness – Precise indoor/outdoor tracking for weapons and classified equipment

  • Access Control Integration – Link asset movement to secure ID and authorisation systems

  • Automated Compliance Enforcement – Prevent incomplete processes and enforce inspection cycles

  • Chain-of-Custody Visibility – Maintain continuous records for every asset

  • Alerting & Incident Response – Immediate notifications for unauthorised access or movement

  • Scalable Architecture – From a single armoury to multi-site global operations

Defence Applications

SmartSpace® secure asset tracking supports a range of defence environments:

  • Armoury Management: Continuous oversight of small arms, heavy weapons, and ammunition

  • Cryptographic Device Security: Controlled access and usage logs for comms gear

  • High-Value Equipment Storage: Night vision, targeting systems, and other mission-critical gear

  • Deployment Readiness: Rapid issue and return tracking for operational equipment

Why Ubisense?

Ubisense has deployed secure tracking solutions in some of the most sensitive defence and government environments in the world. Our systems are built to:

  • Meet stringent military cybersecurity standards

  • Integrate with existing security infrastructure

  • Operate reliably in challenging physical and electromagnetic environments

For more information on how SmartSpace® supports defence security operations, see our Defence Solutions Overview.

Protect what matters most with complete visibility and control.


Contact Ubisense to discuss your secure asset tracking requirements.