Congressman: Border Patrol to discontinue use of costly surveillance blimps on border
Despite support from local Border Patrol agents for the current surveillance blimps in use in the Rio Grande Valley, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is ending the program that began approximately seven years ago, according to U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar.
Cuellar, D-Laredo, said Tuesday morning that Border Patrol will end its use of the Tactical Aerostats and Re-Locatable Towers program, or TAS, because it is too expensive.
“It’s a self-inflicted wound because you all went ahead and got into contracts with vendors and you are paying too much, and I’ve been telling you for years to slow down and lower the price,” Cuellar said, referring to Border Patrol leadership in Washington, D.C.
These aerostats, which can reach altitudes ranging between 500 and 5,000 feet, are equipped with radars and high-resolution and infrared cameras. They are also relocatable.
Read more: https://myrgv.com/local-news/2021/02/10/congressman-border-patrol-to-discontinue-use-of-costly-surveillance-blimps-on-border/
(McAllen Monitor)