CBP Uses Unpiloted Aircraft to Patrol Borders
Posted Jul 02, 2004
©MurthyDotCom
The New York Times reported on June 27, 2004, that the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has started a test program to have unpiloted aircraft patrol certain portions of the U.S. / Mexican border. The unpiloted aircraft can sense movement from 15 miles up, can see a license plate, see the vehicle's occupants, and determine whether the person/s carry weaponry. These aircraft can stay airborne for 20 hours at a time. Pilots on the ground will control the aircraft or set them to automatic routes. When an aircraft detects something, a CBP agent will read the data and use a GPS system to send agents to the scene. The program will continue through September 30, 2004, when the CBP will evaluate the data and decide whether to continue the unpiloted aircraft program.
©MurthyDotCom
Although criticized for its cost and lack of precision, the CBP believes that the unpiloted aircraft will serve a useful purpose in apprehending those who seek to enter the U.S. in violation of U.S. immigration laws.