U.S. CBP Adds New Drones for Border Enforcement

By Tracey E. Schelmetic October 27, 2022

The US/Mexico border has been a hot topic during the past few years, with varying ideas on how to best patrol the nearly 2,000 miles where the two countries meet. It’s always been a challenge, given manpower restrictions and the difficult terrain of the region. Technology almost has to be part of the U.S. government’s strategy.

Indeed, the government in relying increasingly on drone technology to do the patrolling. Drones can provide supplemental air reconnaissance, surveillance and tracking capability with minimal manpower, helping to enhance situational awareness for field commanders and agents in areas that lack nearby traditional surveillance systems or available manned air support.

Red Cat Holdings, a drone hardware and software company based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, recently announced that its subsidiary, Teal Drones, has been awarded a contract worth more than $1 million from U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide Teal’s high-performance Golden Eagle drones to U.S. Border Patrol. The award is part of a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and five drone companies, announced in December 2021, which has a total estimated value of $90 million over a five-year period. All drones covered by the BPA are on the exclusive “Blue UAS” list of drones approved for purchase by the Department of Defense.

The $1 million purchase agreement will cover the provision of Teal’s Golden Eagle drone, plus battery packs and chargers, propellers, gimbal-mounted cameras, carrying cases and operator training sessions, including “train-the-trainer” sessions. The Golden Eagle drone is the first drone mass produced entirely in the US, with DoD compliant components. Teal’s Golden Eagle is versatile, secure, quiet, and packs onboard computing and a state of the art FLIR EO/IR payload, according to the company.

“As a market leader in military-grade drones, and especially night-specific drones, we look forward to providing Teal’s Golden Eagle product to the government personnel who are responsible for protecting the American people and safeguarding our borders,” said Red Cat CEO Jeff Thompson.

The company added a new manufacturing facility in Salt lake City, which will help is meet delivery expectations for the CBP.

Edited by Erik Linask