The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency is increasing its fleet of Predator B Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) from 2 to 18. The new aircraft will allow the agency to expand the area of operation from the southwest border with Mexico to the northern border with Canada, as well as the development of a UAV maritime variant allowing the agency to operate over the Great Lakes and other United States contiguous waters. The Predator B has a long-endurance surveillance capability over land or sea providing nonstop intelligence to ensure the Nation’s safety. As the Predator Bs supplement CBP’s fleet of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, the vehicles’ sensor payload, similar to their Air Force cousins, are bolstering the agency’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. CBP’s mission is to continue to improve and expand surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.