Unmanned Drones are expected to hit the Rio Grande Valley and other areas of the Texas-Mexico border this week.
Starting September 1, 2010, the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) will patrol along the Rio Grande between El Paso and Brownsville in an effort to help deter illegal activity.
This UAS will be housed out of the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, TX, which Congressman Cuellar visited last week.
"Today marks a critical next step in securing the Texas-Mexico border. By positioning this aircraft in Texas, CBP can further combat illegal activity along our southern border,” said Congressman Cuellar, Chairman of the U.S. House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism.
For six months, Congressman Cuellar, along with several other Texas lawmakers from both parties, has worked in coordination with CBP and FAA to bring the UAV program to Texas.
The remotely-piloted aircraft, known as a Predator B, can fly for up to 20 hours and provide BP with real-time critical intelligence information from attached cameras, sensors and radar systems.
According to CBP, since 2005, Predator Bs have flown more than 1,500 hours in support of border security missions and have assisted in the apprehension of more than 4,000 illegal aliens, in addition to the seizure of more than 15,000 pounds of marijuana.
“These aircrafts are a force multiplier for our border law enforcement,” said Congressman Cuellar. “They have the endurance and flexibility required to patrol our border and they collect critical information that will protect our communities.”
An official annoucement of the umanned aircrafts will be held on September 8, 2010 in Corpus Christi.
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