UAV's and TFR's along the Mexico boarder

On Mon, 16 Jan 2006 15:16:11 -0500, Bob Noel
wrote in
::

Proposals in response to an RFP are generally source selection sensitive.

Thanks for the tip.


Here's what General Atomics has to say about their new contract:
http://www.ga.com/news.php?subaction..._from=&ucat=1&
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sep 01, 2005
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Awarded DHS/CBP UAS Contract


First Year Award Worth $14.1 Million

SAN DIEGO – September 1, 2005 -- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems,
Inc. (GA-ASI), a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft and high
resolution surveillance and radar imaging systems, today announced
that it has been awarded a contract for the first Department of
Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) unmanned
aircraft system (UAS).

“We are very pleased that Customs and Border Protection has awarded us
this first procurement contract for the use of unmanned aircraft
systems to patrol our nation’s borders,” said Thomas J. Cassidy, Jr.,
president, Aircraft Systems Group, General Atomics Aeronautical
Systems, Inc. “The prop jet Predator B meets the over land
reconnaissance solutions for the Department of Homeland Security. The
performance of our combat proven aircraft systems, combined with our
capability to respond rapidly to the emergent needs of our customers,
were key to our success, and we look forward to expanding our
relationship with CBP in support of the protection of our nation’s
borders.”

The DHS/CBP UAS contract award will allow GA-ASI to provide a superior
product to fulfill the nation’s need for increased surveillance of its
borders. The contract includes the delivery of one system, which will
initially be comprised of a Predator® B aircraft equipped with EO/IR
and the Lynx synthetic aperture radar (SAR), ground control station,
launch and recovery system, support equipment, engineering and
logistics support. The Predator B system, which will be operated and
maintained by GA-ASI personnel, will provide long-endurance
surveillance, as well as communications relay for the CBP mission, and
fully meets the agency’s requirement for an off-the-shelf rapid
delivery system that complies with DHS/CBP performance specifications.
GA-ASI’s relationship with the DHS began in November 2003 when
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a test mission
along the southwest border of the U.S., near Gila Bend, AZ, utilizing
Predator B. The border surveillance mission, which ran for 115 hours
over a two-week period, both day and night, showcased the ability of
the aircraft to locate and track illegal immigrants, with the
surveillance video serving as vital evidence in court prosecutions.

Powered by a turboprop engine, Predator B is a long-endurance,
high-altitude unmanned aircraft designed for use as a multi-mission
system -- from reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting and weapons
delivery to scientific research and other civilian applications.
Predator B is based on the reliability of the Predator airframe,
avionics, mechanical systems, data link, and flight control technology
but has a 500 percent greater payload capacity than Predator (800 lbs.
internal, 3,000 lbs. external), an endurance over 30 hours, speeds
greater than 220 knots, and can operate above 50,000 feet. It features
a fault-tolerant redundant flight control system with triple-redundant
avionics for increased reliability and can be configured with a
variety of weapons, carrying up to 3,000 pounds of external ordnance.
Predator B is the system of choice for homeland security, the U.S.
Navy, and allied navies and coast guards requiring a reliable maritime
and littoral surveillance solution.

About GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of
privately held General Atomics, provides comprehensive solutions for
military and commercial applications worldwide.
The company’s Aircraft Systems Group is a leading designer and
manufacturer of proven, reliable remotely operated aircraft (ROA)
systems, including the Predator UAV series, and provides pilot
training and support services for UAV field operations. The
Reconnaissance Systems Group designs, manufactures and integrates the
Magnum (Raptor View) high-resolution EO/IR and Lynx® SAR/GMTI sensor
systems for both manned and unmanned aircraft. Leading the industry to
new levels of performance, reliability, and operational capability
since its establishment in 1993, the company has expanded the
acceptance and application of unmanned aircraft systems within the
United States and among allied forces around the world. GA-ASI is
committed to providing immediately deployable transformational
technology for military operations and weapons systems, as well as
civil missions. For more information, please visit www.uav.com.

*Predator and Lynx are registered trademarks of General Atomics
Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

For more information contact:

Kimberly Kasitz
Public Relations Manager
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
+1 (858) 455-2294




-----------------------------------------------------------------------


http://www.ga.com/news.php?subaction..._from=&ucat=1&

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sep 29, 2005
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and U.S. Customs & Border
Protection Make History With Launch of Predator® B UAS


First Procurement CBP Unmanned Aircraft System Unveiled to Secure
Nation's Border

SAN DIEGO – September 29, 2005 -- General Atomics Aeronautical
Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft
and high resolution surveillance and radar imaging systems, along with
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) today unveiled the CBP's
first procurement unmanned aircraft system (UAS), a Predator B UAS, at
Sierra Vista MuniLibby Army Airfield in Ft. Huachuca, Arizona.

"Today marks the beginning of new chapter in using unmanned aircraft
systems to secure our nation's borders as Predator B offers the CBP a
superior over land reconnaissance solution," said Thomas J. Cassidy,
Jr., president, Aircraft Systems Group, General Atomics Aeronautical
Systems, Inc. "The ability to meet CBP's aggressive delivery schedule
of 30 days from contract award was no doubt key to realizing today's
historical moment."

The Predator B system, which will provide long-endurance surveillance
and communications relay in support of the CBP's Arizona Control
Initiative (ABCI), will be operated and maintained by GA-ASI personnel
in close cooperation with CBP Border Patrol agents who will assist in
the command and control of the UAS from a Ground Control Station (GCS)
located at Ft. Huachuca. Real-time images from the aircraft will
enable proper assessment of intrusions and eliminate false alarm
responses by agents, thereby increasing their patrolling
effectiveness. Predator B is also expected to provide agents with a
detailed "birds eye view," particularly in remote portions of the
border where CBP Border Patrol agents cannot travel easily or safely
and infrastructure is difficult or impossible to build.

"To secure our nation's borders is priority number one," said Robert
C. Bonner, Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. "CBP now
owns and operates the most advanced state-of-the-art technology and is
capitalizing on the Predator B unmanned aircraft system to secure the
country better. This 'eye in the sky' will not only support the 'boots
on the ground' but will also allow us to deploy resources more
effectively, ultimately enhancing our ability to gain operational
control of our borders."

Powered by a turboprop engine, Predator B is a long-endurance,
high-altitude unmanned aircraft designed for use as a multi-mission
system -- from reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting and weapons
delivery to scientific research and other civilian applications.
Predator B is based on the reliability of the Predator airframe,
avionics, mechanical systems, data link, and flight control technology
but has a 500 percent greater payload capacity than Predator (800 lbs.
internal, 3,000 lbs. external), an endurance over 30 hours, speeds
greater than 220 knots, and can operate above 50,000 feet. It features
a fault-tolerant redundant flight control system with triple-redundant
avionics for increased reliability and can be configured with a
variety of weapons, carrying up to 3,000 pounds of external ordnance.
Predator B is ideally suited for homeland security, U.S. Air Force,
U.S. Navy, and allied navies and coast guard missions that require a
reliable maritime and littoral surveillance solution.

About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of
privately held General Atomics, provides comprehensive solutions for
military and commercial applications worldwide. The company's Aircraft
Systems Group is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven,
reliable remotely operated aircraft (ROA) systems, including the
Predator UAS series, and provides pilot training and support services
for UAS field operations. The Reconnaissance Systems Group designs,
manufactures and integrates the Magnum (Raptor View) high-resolution
EO/IR and Lynx® SAR/GMTI sensor systems for both manned and unmanned
aircraft. Leading the industry to new levels of performance,
reliability, and operational capability since its establishment in
1993, the company has expanded the acceptance and application of
unmanned aircraft systems within the United States and among allied
forces around the world. GA-ASI is committed to providing immediately
deployable transformational technology for military operations and
weapons systems, as well as civil missions. For more information,
please visit www.uav.com.

Predator and Lynx are registered trademarks of General Atomics
Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

For more information contact:

Kimberly Kasitz
Public Relations Manager
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
+1 (858) 455-2294


================================================== ================
Customs and Border Protection Arizona Control Initiative (ABCI)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7317822
U.S. agency poised for big border security operation
March 29, 2005

the government launched the Arizona Border Control Initiative (ABCI),
a $23 million operation.

-----------------------------
http://www.ice.gov/graphics/news/new...rder033005.pdf

http://www.americanpatrol.com/CBP/PR...ES/050817.html

http://www.americanpatrol.com/CBP/NE...US_050330.html

http://www.usembassy.it/file2004_08/alia/a4082302.htm

http://www.michnews.com/cgi-bin/artm...w.cgi/194/8146