Pentagon Plans to Expand Autonomous Border Surveillance Fleet
The Pentagon is considering increasing its fleet of autonomous surveillance boats to 60 vessels to deter illegal immigration and narcotics trafficking.
The United States Department of Defense is considering expanding its fleet of autonomous surveillance boats to deter narcotics trafficking and illegal border crossings along the Rio Grande and in the Gulf of Mexico. Following a pilot program launched in January, officials aim to increase the current test group of 10 vessels by up to 50.
These canoe-sized Lightfish drones, developed by the startup Seasats, utilize solar power and sensors to provide real-time tracking data to the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection. The Pentagon reports the drones have facilitated an average of 452 detections, 350 apprehensions, and 100 turnbacks per month.
The expansion aligns with President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration and a broader military strategy to deploy low-cost, venture-backed autonomous systems. These uncrewed vessels are intended to reduce the operational strain on crewed Coast Guard cutters and aircraft by providing persistent monitoring in high-traffic areas.
