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The CBP's (Customs and Border Patrol) drone squadron has been a tightly-held secret. Documents have been pried loose by FOIA lawsuits, but it's pretty clear the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) and the CBP would rather not discuss its flying surveillance technology. Not that the CBP drones are strictly for patrolling our nation's borders. They've been spotted far inland, being used by law enforcement agencies taking advantage of the CBP's drone lending library.
Finally, more details on the CBP's drones have made their way into the public domain, thanks to an Office of the Inspector General report. [https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.documentcloud.org/documents/1391066/oig-15-17-dec14.pdf (pdf link)] The information contained in this document points to two seeming contradictions, albeit the sort of contradictions often found in government agencies that run long on Congressional support but short on effective oversight.
They're expensive: "We estimate that, in fiscal year 2013, it cost at least $62.5 million to operate the program, or about $12,255 per hour."
And they're worthless: Given the cost of the Unmanned Aircraft System program and its unproven effectiveness, CBP should reconsider its plan to expand the program. The $443 million that CBP plans to spend on program expansion could be put to better use by investing in alternatives, such as manned aircraft and ground surveillance assets.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Friday January 09 2015, @09:38PM
Not necessarily. Following the right election results, these hardpoints could have provided a superior deterrent against illegal immigration and drug runs...
One parameter I read (not in TFS) is that the drones were focused on only a few hundred miles of high-traffic border in a couple states, when they'd have more overall impact being seen all along the border. That's why you pay the extra dollars, for the expanded coverage where it is hard to man on the ground.
(Score: 2) by frojack on Friday January 09 2015, @09:42PM
Following the right election results, these hardpoints could have provided a superior deterrent against illegal immigration and drug runs...
Um, no. You made that up.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Friday January 09 2015, @09:53PM
Of course I made it up.
But it's not far-fetched: there are many people in the US who openly, repeatedly and forcefully advocate shooting anybody or anything that seems to illegally cross the Southern Border.
(Score: 2) by JeanCroix on Friday January 09 2015, @11:30PM
(Score: 2) by frojack on Saturday January 10 2015, @01:16AM
On the other hand, a hard point on a wing probably doesn't cost anything more, and it might actually cost more to order one without the hardpoints, because that would require a design change.
Sort of like the tiedowns on the side of a pick-up truck. If they come stock, the dealer isn't going to give you a discount for having them taken off.
I bet if DHS is already ordering these for the Air Force, its probably a mountain of paperwork to get a special order version. You'd probably be the better judge of that.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 2) by JeanCroix on Saturday January 10 2015, @01:36AM