DHS to Test Autonomous Drones and Vehicles at US-Canada Border
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in partnership with Defense Research and Development Canada (DRDC), plans to deploy autonomous drones and vehicles along the U.S.-Canada border this November. The initiative aims to evaluate which technologies can effectively stream surveillance video and sensor data across the border using commercial 5G networks.
Dubbed ACE-CASPER, this experimental exercise will simulate a national emergency response scenario over several days. During the trial, drones and ground vehicles will relay live feeds back to a bi-national command-and-control center as they traverse the border. Notably, while vehicle autonomy is a focus, the primary goal remains to demonstrate “resilient, persistent 5G communications.”
This testing marks the first collaborative technological experiment between the two nations in nearly ten years, with previous drills conducted from 2011 to 2017 under a program known as CAUSE. These past exercises sought to ensure that emergency responders from both countries could effectively communicate through radios, video feeds, and data exchanges in real-time.
While framed within the context of public safety and emergency response, the capabilities being assessed exhibit military connotations. Vendors are called upon to showcase how their autonomous vehicles can gather “real-time battlefield intelligence.” The systems under examination are characterized as Command and Control: Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (C2ISR) platforms, echoing terminology from the U.S. Department of Defense.
Following an executive order from President Trump in 2025, which reshaped the federal government’s domestic counter-drone program, DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has been pivotal in this initiative. Recently, S&T launched a counter-drone purchasing tool aimed at aiding police and emergency response agencies, particularly in Washington, D.C., and the eleven states participating in the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
This executive order also accentuated procuring American-made drones and ensuring government contracts are accessible to domestic manufacturers. This move could significantly impact the U.S. drone market, especially following FCC regulations that restrict new foreign-made drones from accessing U.S. wireless networks.
Companies poised to respond to this technology trial include firms with known connections to prominent political figures. Powerus Corporation, a Florida-based drone manufacturer, has recently merged with a golf course company backed by Donald Trump Jr. Additionally, Anduril Industries, which produces drones for battlefield surveillance and holds a significant border security contract with DHS, has ties to Trump Jr.’s investments.
Powerus’s co-founder emphasized the company’s commitment to enhancing border security through advanced autonomous systems, reflecting the growing intersection of technology and national defense.
As these developments unfold, it is crucial for business owners to consider the implications of advanced surveillance technologies at the border and the potential cybersecurity risks associated with autonomous systems. Specifically, techniques aligned with the MITRE ATT&CK framework such as initial access, privilege escalation, and persistence may be relevant as these technologies are integrated into national security operations.
As this experiment proceeds, continual assessment of the security of 5G communications and autonomous systems will be essential to mitigate potential vulnerabilities. The intersection of technology, national security, and cybersecurity is increasingly becoming a focal point for organizations and citizens alike, underscoring the importance of understanding the risks involved.