[JackelopeBreeder]

Border Hawk is about 3 feet long with a six foot wingspan. It carries a video camera and transmitter which beams the video directly to the ground terminal. The video is then fired out via the satellite terminal to stream live over the internet. The payload bay will also accept an infrared camera for night work.

It can take off and land in very short distances and remain airborne up to 90 minutes with the external tanks. If there is at least a moderate breeze, it can be made to hover over a spot just by turning directly into the wind and reducing the throttle.

And yes -- the smuggler community is highly upset with this invasion of their privacy.

If Glenn ever releases close up photos of the bird, the inscription next to the camera port says: SMILE!

[George W. Bush]

You know, these smugglers are going to pay somebody to try to jam his control signals or they'll try to shoot the plane down.

I don't think they'll let the drone fly without trying something. Well, this Glenn guy sounds pretty smart. We'll see how well ABP fares against them.

I'm wondering what the cost per drone is now that they have done the development work. And the patrol range.

Of course, we all know that the government could simply pipe some satellite feeds to the Border Patrol if they really wanted to stop the traffic. But they don't want to do that.

[Happy2BMe]

Really, really cool stuff - and MAJOR congrats to all those involved and their great efforts.

Just about the time they start making headway with this, some federal judge will be bought off and declare it is invading on the privacy of rattlesnakes, tarrapins, and tarantulas.