Waco Firm Likely To Get $16 Million For High-Flying Border Patrol
The Waco, Texas, branch of L-3 Communications Integrated Systems is expected to receive $16 million towards the revamping of three or four P-3 airplanes. The units are used for surveillance purposes along U.S. borders by the Homeland Security Department (DHS).
The funds were included in the 2007 proposed budget, which still needs approval by the full House, at the urging of U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Texas).
P-3 surveillance planes have been used in such turbulent areas as Iraq and Afghanistan, and such technology can also be used to stall the influx of drugs and illegal immigrants into the country, according to Edwards. He also said the planes need to be adequately maintained to ensure successful operation.
DHS currently has 16 L-3 planes, but some of their frameworks are more than 36 years old, reported Edwards. This allocation marks the second time that Edwards has worked with L-3 to ensure successful upkeep of the planes.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Waco Tribune-Herald (TX) (05/18/06); Copeland, Mike .