The US Department of Defense is expanding its use of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) into the Gulf of Mexico after a pilot program along the Rio Grande detected and deterred illicit maritime activity.
Under the strategy, a fleet of 11-foot (3-meter) Lightfish autonomous craft built by California-based Seasats will conduct persistent surveillance to help detect illegal border crossings and drug trafficking.
The solar-powered, 340-pound (154-kilogram) USVs can remain on station for extended periods, transmitting real-time sensor data to military networks to alert the US Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection.
Read the full story on our new publication, The Drone Front: Pentagon Turns to Lightfish Drone Boats to Secure Gulf of Mexico