Predators

MQ-9 Predator B

The Department of Homeland Security- Customs and Border Protection (DHS-CBP) operates a fleet of high altitude, long endurance (HALE) UAS. The Predator is designed to operate for 20 hours and at an altitude of 20,000 ft. The system carries state of the art sensors including ElectroOptical, Thermal Infrared and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). In the name of "good government" DHS-CBP is working with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) , U.S. Forest Service (USFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and others imaging areas of interest on a non-interference basis or at our request in support of a natural disaster. The data being collected by DHS-CBP is being viewed in near real time at several locations including USGS in Denver and the Department of the Interior Watch Office. DHS-CBP produces a robust set of products that are of value to USGS, they are also distributing data to USGS for value added investigations and processing. This data is being delivered in a matter of minutes for analysis; this is a substantial improvement in many of our current data dissemination capabilities. The USGS and DHS-CBP, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (COE), have collected Electro-Optical, Thermal Infrared and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data over levees located in the Mississippi River. The USGS and COE believes the imagery from the sensors on-board the DHS-CBP Predator could greatly assist with decisions being made to mitigate levee stability and potential failures. The data is also being archived in order to support scientific studies related to flooding impacts on erosion and crop damage. This initial mission has already demonstrated significant mutual benefits, and has resulted in the identification of many more cooperative efforts including tactical level awareness and support for the Monument Fire in Arizona. The USGS is analyzing multi-temporal SAR data collected over a small region of the fire event to determine the utility of this sensor for fire detection and mapping. Additionally, the USGS is evaluating the feasibility of rapid fire perimeter delineation using Multi-Spectral Targeting System (MTS) EO/IR imagery. The USGS believes that the persistent imaging capability

provided by the DHS-CBP Predator assets represents a powerful fire response and management tool. These assets will help us gain a better understanding of fire behavior and eventually will support fire fighter safety and fire management efficiencies.