7/29/2019 Unmanned Aircraft System MQ-9 Predator B

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The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP),

Office of Air and Marine, or OAM, operates thehighly capable and proven Predator B unmannedaircraft system (UAS) in support of law enforce-ment and homeland security missions at thenations borders. OAM selected the Predator B,manufactured by General Atomics AeronauticalSystems, for its unique combination of operationalcapabilities, payload capacity, mission flexibility,potential to accommodate new sensor packages,and its safety and performance record with otherfederal agencies.

The CBP UAS program focuses operations on theCBP priority mission of anti-terrorism by helpingto identify and intercept potential terrorists andillegal cross-border activity. The remotely pilotedPredator B allows OAM personnel to safely con-duct missions in areas that are difficult to access orotherwise too high-risk for manned aircraft or CBPground personnel.

The system also supports disaster relief efforts ofits Department of Homeland Security partners,

including the Federal Emergency ManagementAgency and the U.S. Coast Guard. The PredatorBs capability to provide high-quality streamingvideo to first responders, and to assess critical in-frastructure before and after events, makes it anideal aircraft to support emergency preparationsand recovery operations. The OAM Predator Bmapped the flooded Red River Valley areas ofNorth Dakota and Minnesota, flying more than 30hours in 2009 and more than 55 hours in 2010. In2011, the Predator B flew close to 250 hours indisaster relief support along the Northern Border.

For more information, visit the CBP.gov Web siteor contact the Office of Public Affairs at 202-344-1770. 0

Unmanned Aircraft SystemMQ-9 Predator B

Performance and Weight

Speed: 240 knots (276 mph)

Altitude: Up to 50,000 feet

Endurance: Up to 20 operational hou

Max Gross Weight: 10,500 pounds

Other System Components

Fixed and mobile ground control stations

Electro-optical/infrared sensors

Surface Search Radar/Ground Moving TargeIndicator

OAM first employed the Predator B on theSouthwest Border in 2005 and along the NortBorder in 2009. OAM also operates a maritimvariant UAS, called the Guardian.

CBP UAS Operating Locations

Southwest Border Region

U.S. Army Fort Huachuca, Arizona:4 Predator B

Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas:1 Predator B and 1 Guardian

Northern Border Region

Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota2 Predator B

Southeast Border Region

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida1 Guardian