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U.S. Buys Predator To Search Border For Illegal Immigrants
Aircraft Costs More Than $14 Million

POSTED: 10:48 am PDT August 31, 2005
UPDATED: 12:24 pm PDT September 1, 2005

SAN DIEGO -- Unmanned aircraft will soon be patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border.
Border Patrol officials said that the agency is buying a Predator B drone from San Diego-based General Atomics. The Predator B is the same aircraft that has been used by the military in Iraq.


The aircraft will be looking for human and drug smugglers along the border, said officials. The Border Patrol will spend more than $14 million on the Predator B and said that the drone will begin patrols in the next few weeks. That amount includes one year of service and maintenance. At first, the aircraft will only be used along the border in Arizona. More illegal immigrants cross the border in Arizona than in any other state.

The Border Patrol is Predator B's second customer. General Atomics says it has delivered seven to the U.S. Air Force. The plane, which has a 66-foot wingspan and can fly more than 30 hours, was introduced in 2001. Its infrared sensors allow it to see in the dark.
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/4920403/detail.html