Border Patrol's mobile sensor tower passes first test

It looks like the U.S. Border Patrol's fleet of aerial drones will soon be getting a bit of land-based backup, with the first of a series of Boeing-built mobile sensor towers recently passing its first key test. According to the company, the 98-foot tall towers will each be loaded up with a full array of gear, including cameras, radar, wireless data access points, and a tower security system, among other communications and computer equipment, with each tower boasting a line of sight range of about 12 miles. Don't expect the border to become one big hotspot anytime soon, however, with just nine towers currently on track for deployment along the Southwest border in June and no apparent word on further expansion just yet. In any event, we're guessing they wouldn't take too kindly to anyone trying to leech on their bandwidth.

[Via The Register]

[Kev50027 @ Apr 12th 2007 1:20PM]

Isn't this part of the project they're starting where anyone can log onto a website and watch what the camera sees and even control it to look for people crossing illegally? I'd love to be able to be surfing the web then catch someone trying to cross, then watch them get caught live on camera.

[Daveoc64 @ Apr 12th 2007 1:35PM]

That sounds like unbeatable entertainment.

I'd love to see that.

NOT.

[TVGenius @ Apr 12th 2007 1:39PM]

They already have these every few miles near the border...

http://www.stargazing.com/photos/030926/008.jpg

[macona @ Apr 12th 2007 1:54PM]

When do they add the remote controlled mini-gun?

[bellepeppers @ Apr 12th 2007 1:59PM]

How much is this costing, that's what I want to know

http://www.freevectors.com

[Mike @ Apr 12th 2007 2:13PM]

"How much is this costing, that's what I want to know"
---
Alot less than than it costs our country allowing illegal immigration.

[sane @ Apr 12th 2007 4:03PM]

been drinking the GOP juice again have we?

[dudenamednorm @ Apr 12th 2007 2:14PM]

Do these people watch Lost?

http://gallery.lost-media.com/displayimage-89184.html

[Decavolt @ Apr 12th 2007 3:22PM]

Am I the only one that thinks these towers have a striking resemblance to the Tesla Coils in Command & Conquer (the real-time strategy game)?? How soon before they start tossing lightning at unsuspecting border hoppers?

No, this couldn't possibly go wrong...

[RootAg @ Apr 12th 2007 3:36PM]

Is that David Blane sitting on top of the tower?

[Big @ Apr 12th 2007 3:36PM]

THESE TOWERS SUCK!

Invest in the NOD Obelisks of Light from Command and Conquer

[Jason @ Apr 12th 2007 5:21PM]

If only, ala Half Life 2, we could get our children to remote pilot buzzsaw-equipped drones to chase down the illegals instead of wasting their time playing World of Warcraft!

[Dan @ Apr 12th 2007 5:28PM]

obelisk of light!

[Russ @ Apr 12th 2007 6:54PM]

so remember to turn off your mobile while making an illegal border crossing... the coverage probably isn't that great anyway.

[Aaron @ Apr 12th 2007 7:33PM]

3 words,
Automated sentry turret.

[Alex Wilcox @ Dec 21st 2007 6:18PM]

looks like someone took a midway dropzone ride, and added some stuff. Now dropzone border towers would be fun!