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Pentagon Expands Fleet of Robotic Drone Boats at Southern Border

Published 14h ago · Latest report 8h ago

Covered in 2 countries

AI summary37s readPositive

The Pentagon plans to deploy more autonomous drone boats at the border following successful trials.

The Pentagon plans to increase the deployment of autonomous drone boats along the Rio Grande and the Gulf of Mexico. A pilot program utilizing the small robotic vessels successfully assisted authorities in curbing unauthorized border crossings and drug smuggling. Officials are now looking to integrate more of these low-profile vehicles into border security operations.

The autonomous vessels measure eleven feet in length and weigh three hundred forty pounds.
The drone boats cost approximately two hundred forty thousand dollars each.
Deployments can be launched directly from standard boat ramps or the bed of a pickup truck.
A pilot program utilizing the technology began in January.

By the numbers

11 mlength

340 kgweight

$240,000unit cost

Why it matters

Border security agencies increasingly turn to advanced autonomous technology to monitor difficult terrain and waterways along the southern border.

What outlets agree on

The Pentagon is considering deploying additional autonomous drone boats along the southern border after a pilot program yielded positive results in detecting unauthorized crossings and drug trafficking.

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In this story

PentagonImmigrationRio GrandeDefenceGulf of MexicoLightfishSeasatsAutonomous vehicles

Covered by 2 outlets

50% of the sources are Left

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Lean ratings via AllSides, Media Bias/Fact Check

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