For almost a year now the federal government’s new approach to 'high tech' border control has been going on.   Lots of technology integration and engineering work accomplished.  Now it comes time for the test.

The border patrol, customs and other agents are beginning to use an integrated mix of technology, infrastructure, equipment and other processes.   In this report we are talking about a 28 mile stretch of southwest Arizona.   They call it Project 28.   That name seems logical.

Boeing was awarded a 20 million dollar contract for Project 28 last October.    Project 28 is heavily dependent on technology as opposed to traditional border infrastructure such as fences and vehicle barriers.   The cost of securing each mile of the boarder with fencing is about three million dollars per mile while the high technology method is said to be about one million dollars per mile.  

Border Patrol agents will use a combination of surveillance towers, laptop computers, communications equipment, ground sensors and vehicles as part of Project 28.

Nine mobile towers with radars, cameras and communications equipment have been strategically placed throughout the 28 miles of desert.   Border agents can control the cameras on the towers while riding in their vehicles.   This gives them the ability to zoom in on suspicious activity.   The border vehicles are also equipped with iridium satellite phones to ensure solid continuous communications.

Unattended ground sensors also are placed along the landscape in certain areas.   The upshot is sensors, cameras and communications equipment all connect to a central command center, providing a common operational picture.   In that 28 miles there will be three rapid-response vehicles used to transport illegal immigrants from their point of capture to a detention facility.