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Texas Spent How Many Millions of Dollars for a Border Security Spy Plane?

Oct. 16, 2012 12:10pm Liz Klimas

Earlier this year, TheBlaze reported Texas Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Management, saying domestic drones would “dominate the skies” by 2015 and the “full implications” of this surveillance is not being addressed.

The remarks are rather telling given that the Center for Investigative Reporting is now revealing a “little noticed July purchase” worth $7.4 million for a high-altitude spy plane was made by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Although the contract with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. would be for a manned plane, the advanced equipment on board brings up similar sentiments regarding pervasive, detailed domestic surveillance.

Texas Department of Homeland Security Purchases Pilatus PC 12 NG Spectre for Border Security Missions

Pilatus PC-12 NG (Image: Wikimedia)

The Center for Investigative Reporting includes a department spokesperson saying that for now using planes as opposed to drones is more convenient given the Federal Aviation Administration’s regulations. That is expected to change though as the FAA was tasked to update its regulations to included expanded use of unmanned aerial vehicles by 2012.

Here’s the Center for Investigative Reporting’s breakdown of some of the equipment on the Pilatus PC-12 NG Spectre purchased in the Texas DSP contract:

Among its features is a $1 million array of surveillance cameras with high-resolution and thermal-imaging capabilities, and a $300,000 downlink system that enables the plane’s crew to send real-time surveillance images anywhere in the state, according to records obtained by the Center for Investigative Reporting through the Texas Public Information Act. The package will also come with four sets of night-vision goggles worth about $60,000, records show.

A press release from Helinet Technologies in July states it was awarded as the company that will “develop and implement a microwave downlink and satellite solution” for the aircraft.

Homeland Security reporter for the nonprofit reporting organization G.W. Schultz writes this is the type of technology that “could raise the ire of civil libertarians and privacy advocates.”

Schultz reports the spokesman for the state police, Tom Vinger, saying border security will be the plane’s primary role. Vinger also said the plane would be used in a “clearly defined” area and for a specific amount of time, dependent on the mission.

The Texas’ DPS isn’t the only jurisdiction purchasing surveillance equipment within recent years. The Center for Investigative Reporting states that Phoenix, Ariz., law enforcement have a similar spy plane as well, acquired in 2009. A California town has a surveillance plane that has raised constitutional issues as well.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in Texas also recently purchased a 50-pound ShadowHawk helicopter drone for $300,000 for its SWAT Team using a homeland security grant.

In September the Congressional Research Service released a report regarding drone use and the Fourth Amendment. The report raises several questions that will need to be considered by lawmakers as technology begins to expand surveillance in public spaces. Some of these questions include:

How far can the government go in its attempts to maintain security and ensure that laws are enforced?
What level of privacy should Americans expect in an age where technology facilitating the acquisition of personal information expands at a phenomenal pace?
Beyond the courts and the Constitution, what role should Congress and the President play in regulating the introduction of drones inside the United States?

Featured image via Pilatus.

(H/T: Wired)

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Comments (65)

jt4
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 12:29am
Police have used helicopters for years, Not a big deal.

If Obama wins and Texas secedes, we’ll need all the resources we can muster.

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watashbuddyfriend
Posted on October 17, 2012 at 11:20am
Damn, seems the DHS owes Texas $7.4 billion of YOUR tax dollares!

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SlyFox123
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 7:23pm
Damm….all of that tax money for Homeland Security, an a State goes out an gets it’s own Hi-tech plane…..whats up with that?. Or is it for some other reason…..I, hate to be this way, but why would a border state spend that much money to do that job…the same job, that our tax money is designed to do. And remember this, this plane can be “farmed” out to any Govt agencie, thats to any state in this country and with all of the equipment thats on board….it can/could be used for any reason, and who is to say any different?. We, as a nation post 9/11 have gone a bit over board on some issures, we have opened up some doors that in the final view of the country we are not taking care of OUR Business.

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- Black Tiger
  Posted on October 17, 2012 at 2:23am
  SInce our federal government refuses to enforce the laws, is up to the states to do so; and then the federal government begins to threaten to sue states for enforcing the laws they blatantly refuse to enforce.
  
  SOunds to me like Obama’s hard at work protecting his Hispanic voter base, since everyone else is beginning to turn tail on him
  
  Report this comment
I-have-black-immunity
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 6:48pm
Oweblamer needs to tell Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto that his country must stop exporting drugs and illegal Mexican occupiers of the United States and re claim its illegal Mexican occupiers now in the US. This is such an embarrassing situation for Mexico. La Raza, The Arizona Coalition for Migrant Rights, National Immigrant Solidarity Network/AFGJ and Casa Aztlánwill help Nieto in stopping this illegal occupation of the United States and create a working birth control program in Mexico. They can’t afford to have so many children and the situation will only get worse. Are you with us?

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korbin
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 6:25pm
What makes me sick besides the obvious, the million square foot NSA domestic spying facility in Utah, NDAA, all of the agencies supposed to deal with terrorism and they can’t control the Mexican drug cartels. WE the people are the real targets, lets face the facts we are done. We have to vote all oath breakers out of office and slowly elect REAL citizens who have no agenda including agenda 21. I love the US Constitution had to say that so when the NSA, FBI illegally look at my accounts and e-mails they will know where I stand. DONT these Federal employees understand that the little power they have right now will be used against them and their families when they leave their jobs?????? sickening.

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jrc99
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 5:16pm
$7.4 million? Hmmm…how many Billions does the “gubment” spend on illegals each year? i.e. health care, education, food stamps, etc.?

Seems like a bargain to me.

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- USA-Ron
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 11:37pm
  bargain in correct !!!
  
  Report this comment
Dustoff
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 4:14pm
OK help me to understand this. OBL is dead, we no longer care about people from Mexico coming across the border. So why buy this air craft?

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- Oneirishman
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 4:48pm
  Just to give the border agents something to pass the time of day with since they can’t actually do there jobs.
  
  Report this comment
omgfolks
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 3:25pm
Yet another example of goverment control. They make up excuses to buy things to watch John Q Public. None of this is needed. If you want to stop border crossing then put BOOTS ON THE GROUND. Take those BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND HIRE AN AMERICAN, create jobs! Goverment is buying in mass , equipment to survail americans, may there be no doubt in your mind. Our goverment is proving to be our own worst enemy, wasteful spending still out of control as Americans die homeless in out streets and corperate crownies raping out economy…. Is Everyone Blind?

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- supermansdad
  Posted on October 17, 2012 at 9:17pm
  “BOOTS ON THE GROUND” is a good slogan. It’s also impractical and in most cases illegal.
  The same Posse Comitatus Libertarians/Neo-Anarchists are always saying the military officials are violating would be violated if federal troop were placed on the border with weapons and authority to do anything more than build a fence.
  
  National Guard troops are a different matter all together.
  
  Oh, did I also mention that we have a treaty with Mexico that we will not militarize the border?
  
  Report this comment
Elena2010
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 2:57pm
Why not just put AWACS along the border to direct Apache and Cobra fire.

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thindime
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 1:50pm
Nothing wrong with a spy plane appropriately used, but “Big Brother” is here. Two fairly recent events that are scary:

1.) Federal government looking to buy 30,000 drones for use in the continental U.S — that works out to 600 for each of the 50 states.

2.) Federal government contracting for 450 million rounds of HOLLOWPOINT (stopper rounds) 9mm handgun ammunition that is not for the military but for other government agencies — that’s more than the combined populations of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Why do they need all of this stuff — homeland security? Probably not, the Federal Government isn’t even seriously trying to secure the borders. Factor in the government incursion to various industries and onerous regulations being implemented at record levels and things are starting to look a little dicey from a freedoms standpoint.

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- Meyvn1
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 2:07pm
  To say the least.
  
  Report this comment
- jman-6
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 3:51pm
  With all do respect, what the hell you think BO meant by saying “we must have a civilian force just as well armed and well funded as our military?”
  
  Report this comment
- supermansdad
  Posted on October 17, 2012 at 9:24pm
  Considering how many federal LEO there are in the US, 450 million is actually quite small of a number. Here’s why.
  
  It’s not 450 million, it’s as much as 450 million over several years. But the Neo-Anarchists won’t tell you that.
  
  Nor do they tell you that most federal LEO use JHP ammo during their range sessions. Again, the Neo-Anarchists leave that out.
  
  There is also the problem that nearly all local, county, state and federal LEO agencies exchange ammo out several times a year. The old stuff is usually used during training.
  
  Ooo
  
  Report this comment
Wango
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 1:44pm
Good Lord, Texas, for the love of all that is holy, secede already.

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- Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 2:06pm
  I’m trying. Lobby every time I can to try and get folks to put it on the ballot.
  
  Report this comment
- texanpatriot
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 2:17pm
  I’m in…
  
  Report this comment
- robot54
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 11:25pm
  Sorry, just ain’t goin to happen. It has been well established that succession is not an option.
  End the Fed and Texas will be a world leader. Don’t make our brothers in other states the enemy – but get rid of the manipulators. Yes, our small contributions don’t seem to be heard. Just be loud as possible – things are moving our way.
  
  Report this comment
kickagrandma
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 1:18pm
Here’s a thought for TEXAS: arm us old guys to the teeth, train us or upgrade our training and set us up on the border. There are enough of us. We aren’t tied to modern tech stuff like the young people are so we won’t be distracted by ignorant “tweets” or texting beeps. Give us our BIBLES, some hooch (I prefer wine, but hey…in an emergency, sacrifice must be made), water, amo and our best friends beside us. We’ll defend the topside of the border. The younger guys can scamper through the tunnels underground, better eyes can watch from the skies. We WILL DEFEND the border. We old geezers WILL DEFEND AMERICA. You see, we KNOW about AMERICA and how she once was and can be again. We are your best defense til we build the fence. Think about it.

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- TexasHunter
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 1:43pm
  AMEN GrandMa, I would look forward to some of your cooking too! :) This would make to much sense for them to do this though.. Time for a militia..
  
  Report this comment
- The Giver
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 2:11pm
  Anyone that calls themselves KICKAGRANMA doesn’t inspire much confidence in me. These are not grandmas you’d be dealing with at the border. These are drug lords and dangerous.
  
  Report this comment
- jman-6
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 3:47pm
  Giver- Its apparent your not very bright or from the South! Old Timers have a very valuable asset-wisdom! Go get ‘em Grams!
  
  Report this comment
- starcross1
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 6:15pm
  need place to register and report to.
  .308,12 ga. 7,62×39., 9mm,.357 mag.
  Lets go!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Wango
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 7:51pm
  You folks would come back from the border holding each other’s heads in a bag.
  
  Report this comment
- Zipit
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 11:08pm
  Sporting proposition there KICK! A nice hill to look down from, some comfortable lawn chairs, good cooler, radio, some SPF, kick azz binoc’s, and some high tech sniper equiptment. Sounds like a good vacation! And WANG, you must have balz the size of BB’s!
  
  Report this comment
- robot54
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 11:27pm
  Why is it that everyone wants to secure the border – most just bus in with Visas and don’t go back.
  
  Report this comment
Rnesaknusm
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 1:13pm
The Pilatus is a sound and economical choice for the mission. Single engine kero burner means a lot less maintenance than a gas twin fixed or single/twin rotary. Much more range and dwell time than a rotary. Good bang for the buck.

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- The Giver
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 1:54pm
  Are you really going to give up your Liberties that easily? Technology already allows for “seeing IN your home.
  America is changing quickly to a police state and the people are welcoming it because there’s an illegal alien problem? Build the double fence (which can later be used to keep us in) and stop treating the rest of us like criminals that need to be watched even in our homes.
  
  Report this comment
Wool-Free Vision
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 1:10pm
Tell me something, if you’re going to spend 7 million dollars on a “spy plane” to observe things that are happening on the ground, why in the hell wouldn’t it have a “glass bottom?” Or AT LEAST a few windows that would allow you to see the ground without doing barrel rolls???? I’m quite serious about this question. It seems painfully obvious to me that a lack of downward-looking windows on a border patrolling airplane equates to a serious lack of forethought on the part of its designers.

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- Meyvn1
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 2:10pm
  you’re silly.
  
  Report this comment
- Sgt_Rock
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 2:17pm
  OK, that cracked me up. Are you serious? So by your reasoning submarines should have windshields and port holes? Modern surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft use FLIR thermal imagining, high powered day / night vision video cameras and other technologies to conduct their missions. No one flies around looking out of the windows all of the time, although sometimes you can get lucky doing that. I guess I can understand the question if you’re not a tech geek or former military, but glass bottom airplanes?? Really?
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 3:11pm
  We’re pretty here in Florida….
  
  To find those pesky drug running submarines we use these.
  
  http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamflanders/4613729299/
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 3:12pm
  Edit;
  
  We’re pretty “smart” here in Florida….
  
  Report this comment
- Wool-Free Vision
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 3:13pm
  It is not the ridiculous question you are making it out to be. In fact, it is far more ridiculous to have the technological capability of putting windows on the belly of the plane, but instead choosing to spend 7 million dollars for a spy plane from which you cannot actually “see” what you are “observing.” Just because an idea is not the conventional norm, does not mean it is invalid or somehow unacceptable.
  
  How is the idea of putting a window or two on the floor of a plane any more laughable than a 7 million dollar border patrol plane from which you can’t actually see the ground beneath you – especially when it could be so easily accomplished?
  
  Submarines are not a valid comparison for several obvious reasons.
  
  Report this comment
- jman-6
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 3:58pm
  WOOL- The High-Res cameras on these planes or drones can see 100X’s better than the human eye! And human eyes are looking at the High-Res images in the plane n on the ground. Hope that helps.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 4:10pm
  Hi Wool-Free Vision,
  
  OK… I thought you were using sarcasm.
  
  Report this comment
- Wool-Free Vision
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 4:44pm
  J-Man I agree that those cameras are awesome, and they can see way more than the human eye when aimed at the right spot, I just can’t understand what makes actual windows so unfeasible and even laughable. In my opinion, it is the very definition of practicality to have real line of sight between an observation post and the point being observed.
  
  Report this comment
- Wool-Free Vision
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 5:03pm
  Hi Monk!
  
  I can certainly understand your confusion, but sadly, this time I am being serious, though it seems to be highly unpopular to question the conventional same ol’ same ol’ design – even though we live in a time when putting downward-facing windows in an aircraft would be as easy and safe as putting windows in the cockpit.
  
  Report this comment
- Zipit
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 11:13pm
  MONK! We know your pretty, so whenever you hear a plane, look up and smile!
  
  Report this comment
thegreatcarnac
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:46pm
The great state of Texas is trying to guard it’s borders. The federal government is not going to do it. The feds really have few functions according to the constitution. One is to protect the country. They have their greedy hands in everything but what they should be doing. The federal government is a failure and even worse under this marxist regime. Repeat…the federal government is a failure.

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huey6367
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:35pm
The sad part is Texas has to do this to defend it’s borders. Where’s the fed?

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- The Giver
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 1:58pm
  No! You don’t have to give up liberty for security.
  
  Report this comment
Ilikepeople
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:32pm
Uh oh, they might have the technology to see the way I sit on the toilet. Or they may see me picking my nose, like I just picked it a moment ago. And, what are you going to do with it? It’s like when a dog chases my car, I stop and say alright now you have it, what will you do with it? Now eventually most people will come to not care that they are getting watched, and the thing is that people like myself don’t care because God is watching already, and you can’t get no bigger than that. But the thing that will happen is that as those people pass away, and then their soul is mixed up in the mix of life, then when people are reborn all material things economies sell (gold included) won’t mean anything to people anymore. Then everything will go backwards thousands of years. Yeah, because that’s the way it works.

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:37pm
  Thanks for literally telling us what a booger eating moron you are.
  
  Report this comment
- Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:39pm
  Look just because you choose to be a sheep in this life don’t sentence me to your lunacy.
  
  Report this comment
- Ilikepeople
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:41pm
  That’s the main reason the Dark Ages occurred.
  
  Report this comment
- Ilikepeople
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:44pm
  Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve,
  The thing is that if you care, then you’ll be on a hot-bed when the world heads back into the Dark Ages, and the world is going to go back into the dark ages.
  
  Report this comment
- Ilikepeople
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:51pm
  Most of you people are just like the people who were around in the time of John the Baptist and Jesus. If someone doesn’t take part in all the idolatry, and doesn’t drink partying, and they don’t listen to most of your bull – then you think they must have disorder, or devil like they said back then. But then, if someone takes part in the idolatry, drinks partying, enjoys themselves – then you call them irresponsible, or a glutton and drunk. In other words if someone doesn’t communicate to you in a fashion you have been programmed for, then they must have something wrong with them.
  
  Report this comment
- Ilikepeople
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 1:01pm
  If you recall in scripture Esau gave up his blessing for some porridge. Now that’s why when he came back as John the Baptist he didn’t take part in that gluttony, and he didn’t drink the strong drink. Yep that’s right.
  
  Report this comment
- Ilikepeople
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 1:23pm
  That’s why when you leave this age when on your death bed you should be thinking about the things you want to do with your next life rather than sinking from the thoughts of what you didn’t do in this one.
  
  Report this comment
- Mr Sanders
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 2:03pm
  You have a right to your opinion. You are an American and seem to have some chirstian concepts before you, which is good. If you’re awaiting for Revelation to play out it may be a short or long time till then. Only one knows the Day & time – one.
  
  Questions:
  1. Can Man rule himself with the help of a higher moral devine providence?
  2. Or does Man need to be taken care of?
  
  Until then speaking up at the proper moment is key. So we got helicopters flying over US. drones are a little more sophisticated than that. What did AG Holder say to Congress, “… that citizens should have no expectation of proximity privacy.”? Hmm?? Well read the Healthcare Bill at around page 1007- 1031 and that statement becomes reality if they impliment – will they? Depends? Drones will break all barriers to our personal privacy within the walls of our own homes…. that bother you any…. a little bit, maybe? No. Maybe not.
  
  God IS watching, now and into the future, but are We The People, you, projecting this drone issue out into the future in understanding the ramifications? Want freedom to discuss ‘X’ within your walls?
  
  Your statement seems to say, “let it be.” That seems to be what we would call a “pew-warmer”. God always intended freedom of choice and thought – TO make the choice to be with Him. Ever been told that words have power? Limited Government is neccessary but under our Constitution and our God… We The People… are the government – its up to US if we let it happen o
  
  Report this comment
- The Giver
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 2:04pm
  Must you make stuff up? Maybe you could write a fiction book and make some money out of this.
  
  Report this comment
- TexasHunter
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 2:12pm
  @ ILIKEPEOPLE You are the same person as LIKEWATERPEOPLE. LEAVE 1 statement!
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 3:16pm
  @TexasHunter
  
  It’s also “ItsJustTim” with a new moniker….
  
  Report this comment
RJJinGadsden
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:32pm
If this aircraft is used for border patrol to pick up the ball where the feds have dropped it, I can see the expenditure. If it IS actually used to spy on it’s citizenry, then the pilot and crew should wear a parachute at all times as far as I am concerned.

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- jman-6
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 4:04pm
  10-4 on that! ‘Nuff said
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 4:11pm
  Ditto…. : )
  
  Report this comment
Winedude
Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:20pm
I’d have to say that this is shocking for both the “Big Brother” implications and the fact that no doubt the money could have been better spent elsewhere, like on either the education of health care of its residents. Texas officials have to be the worst. I lived there in the ”70′s and dread anytime I have to go there.

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:30pm
  Have been to Texas many times and love it, and love the people. But, I’m most tickled with the fact that my parents decided to move us out of California back in the ’50s.
  
  Report this comment
- Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:41pm
  The money could have been better spend elsewhere? You mean by the people who actually earned it? There’s a radical thought.
  
  Report this comment
- MEichman
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 12:53pm
  Feel free to change your log in to Whine Dude, also feel free never to darken the borders of this state again. That will be all. Thank you
  
  Report this comment
- dcgirl
  Posted on October 16, 2012 at 1:33pm
  Winedude. If you don’t like Texas, than don’t come here. We won’t miss you!
  
  Report this comment

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