I am proud to announce that after a year development the Border Hawk II unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is ready for operations. During this time we have shown that the Border Hawk can fly, it can send video over the Internet and it can operate autonomously. We have also learned a great deal. After initial testing we realized that a fixed camera just wouldn't do the job. We tried to find a pan and tilt system that would allow us to keep the camera on a ground target but one wasn't available. That's when Border Technology, Inc. of Hereford, Arizona, designed and built one for us. This was not easy and it took some time, but they got the job done ­ and at no cost to American Border Patrol.

Border Technology also developed the ground control system (called the Ground Pilot) so that the Border Hawk would automatically fly to a sensor hit and circle when the operator commanded it to do so. They also built a night version of the Border Hawk and it will be in operation in about a week. Again, all of this has been done at no cost to American Border Patrol.

We have also tried many different cameras. As shown on the American Patrol web site on March 20, we are now getting excellent images that are sharp enough to spot people on the ground from a great distance. We will soon add an infrared camera as well.

The Border Patrol recently announced that it would work to seal the Arizona border with Mexico. This was only after American Border patrol announced it has more than 100,000 petitions demanding the use of the military to do the job right. As they say, "when they feel the heat, they see the light." We must keep the heat on. We must use our technology to make sure our government does its job of protecting America. The Border Hawk and ground sensors can do that job.

The Border Patrol also announced that it will deploy UAVs tied to ground sensors beginning in June. We have been working on that idea for three years. They know we are ready and they know we can do the job.

Beginning Monday, March 22, we will tie the Border Hawk into our ground sensor systems. In this way, we will launch the UAV only after we receive a "hit" from the sensor. This has been our plan all along and we are very excited that we are now ready to go to work.

Our goal is to show the American people exactly what is going on at the border and to demonstrate how technology can help solve the problem.

Incredibly, the Mexican government wants to supervise our border control. America needs its own independent border watchdog now more than ever!

The Border Hawk Will Not Fly Without Your Help

It costs money to operate the Border Hawk. Our Ground Control Station has two positions: One for the Ground Pilot and one for the Internet control. We also have to have a pilot to launch and recover the aircraft and track it with the ground receiving antenna array. All of these people are professionals and we must pay them. And, eventually, we must pay for the UAVS and ground sensors as well.

The Border Hawk will fly the border if the American people donate money to do it. If they do not, it will not fly -- we are now facing that simple fact.

If you think it is important to stop the invasion of our nation, send a generous donation to:

Or, log on to this general donation page or to PAYPAL via the American Border Patrol web site (see link on right sidebar).

LET'S ROLL!

Glenn Spencer
American Border Patrol