The Department of Homeland Security‘s science and technology directorate has announced plans to select commercially available sensors through the end of the year for potential use with unmanned aircraft systems.
S&T said Friday it will give selected vendors one week each to demonstrate technology to as part of the Robotic Aircraft Sensor Program, the department said Friday.
Representatives from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Coast Guard will provide feedback on demonstrations slated to take place at Camp Shelly in Mississippi.
The directorate looks to integrate sensors into drones that can support missions such as border patrol, search-and-rescue, reconnaissance and active shooter response.
“The main goal of the program is to identify new technology that will improve component operations,†said Tim Bennett, S&T’s RASP project manager.
“Other goals are to give hands-on experience to components, and to educate suppliers on the needs of ICE, CBP and USCG so they can incorporate them into their products.”