Federal agencies like the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) face an enormous challenge to successfully manage American border security. Practically speaking, it’s nearly impossible to monitor every mile. Moreover, the harsh terrain takes its toll on personnel, further limiting their ability to patrol. Enter the surveillance drone also known as a UAV. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) enable agencies to better patrol the border beyond human patrols and physical barriers. In this article, we look at two aerial solutions for border security.
The Problem
With two land boundaries totaling 7,479 miles combined, the United States claims the title of having the longest international border. As a result, long stretches have no permanent infrastructure and are easily exploited. The difficult task of patrolling areas not controlled by checkpoints or walls falls on border patrol agents. Patrolling the southern border is particularly challenging; this zone is characterized by extreme temperatures and rugged terrains like rocky ground and thick brush. This makes patrol on foot, and even by vehicle, problematic; yet, it opens the door to implement drones for security as solutions.
Solutions
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles offer two advantages over traditional assets in these environments, advantages the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol have also recognized. UAVs are not constrained by the terrain. Drones keep humans out of difficult environments. Recent developments in imaging, processing, and manufacturing technology have diversified aircraft. Now UAVs are more specialized, varying in their mission profiles and capabilities to tackle various aspects of the border security challenge.
Fixed-wing VTOL
For missions that require surveillance over a large area, the Autel Dragonfish is a capable option and one of the best drones for security surveillance.
Autel Dragonfish features a maximum range of over 18 miles, allowing operators to cover large areas while looking for suspicious activity. Additionally, a maximum flight time of 180 minutes is sufficient to provide overwatch during an interdiction or arrest, for example. Given its extended flight time, the Dragonfish falls under the category of autonomous security drone.
Equally impressive are the VTOL flight characteristics of the Dragonfish. Capable of taking off and landing vertically, the Dragonfish then transitions into forward flight by tilting its rotors. The result is a UAV that provides the efficiency of an airplane with the flexibility of a helicopter. We have a full breakdown of the Dragonfish’s capabilities here.
Drone Tethers
The nature of border security requires long-endurance vigilance; tethered drones provide just that. For these missions, a tethered drone system, like the one from Elistair, is a viable solution. Rather than relying on the small aircraft batteries for power, Elistair powers the aircraft with a ground battery bank via a tether. Therefore, a drone using the tether system can stay in the air for up to 24 hours allowing for seamless drone perimeter security.
The persistent capabilities provided by tether systems are a major asset in border patrol operations. Acting on current intel, an agent can easily deploy a drone to monitor specific trafficking routes or entry points. Once the agent finishes their mission, they simply land the drone and move to the next location.
Conclusion
Border security undoubtedly presents a series of complex issues. However, the challenges of harsh environments and developing threats can be mitigated with the application of advanced technologies, specifically unmanned systems. Specialized solutions, like VTOL aircraft and tethered drones, provide agents with the advantage needed for a successful mission outcome.
If your organization is looking to conduct long-endurance security operations reach out to one of the team members at AGM Security Group. We provide a wide variety of unmanned solutions including VTOLs and tethers. You can learn more at agmsecuritygroup.com.
