DHS Plans Autonomous Drone Reconnaissance Experiment on US-Canada Border

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in collaboration with Defense Research and Development Canada, is preparing to conduct a joint experiment known as ACE-CASPER along the US-Canada border this November. The exercise will test autonomous drones and ground vehicles capable of streaming live surveillance video and sensor data across the border using commercial 5G networks. Although framed as a simulation for national emergency response and search-and-rescue scenarios, the DHS employs military terminology, seeking capabilities for real-time battlefield intelligence and Command and Control: Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (C2ISR). This marks the first significant cross-border technology drill between the two nations in nearly a decade, following the earlier CAUSE program. The initiative aligns with recent executive orders prioritizing American-made drone procurement and restricting foreign devices from US wireless networks. Notably, potential vendors include companies with ties to President Trump’s family, such as Powerus Corporation and Anduril Industries, reflecting broader political and economic shifts in US defense contracting. The experiment aims to demonstrate resilient, persistent 5G communications rather than focusing primarily on vehicle autonomy, highlighting the strategic importance of secure data transmission in border security operations.