Predator B to Safeguard U.S. Northern Border

(Defense Professionals)

The first Predator B Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) will land today at U.S. Grand Forks Air Force Base to secure the border between North Dakota and the United States northern neighbour Canada. The U.S.-Canadian border is the longest common border in the world. The terrestrial boundary is nearly 9.000 kilometres (5,525 mi) long, including almost 2.500 kilometres (1,538 mi) shared with Alaska. 18,000 trucks cross the U.S.-Canada border each day.

In late 2006 the U.S. unveiled a programme to increase border control and security in the north of the country. The programme included also the involvement of Predator B UAS to support the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol personnel on the ground. The Customs and Border Patrol may need any help since its personnel monitors 327 air, land and sea ports of entry and process more than 70 million international travellers and 35 million vehicles annually. Among about 4.000 interceptions every year they find some 40.000 pounds of illegal drugs. Read more here.