General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), a business unit of General Dynamics, has announced that its border towers attained certification from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to deliver autonomous surveillance capabilities.
The certification validates that GDIT’s towers meet the funding requirements of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act for large-scale deployment of autonomous surveillance systems. The bill requires that autonomous systems apply artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, computer vision or other algorithms to accurately detect, identify, classify and track items of interest in real time.
GDIT’s autonomous surveillance towers, a critical element of the CBP’s flagship border surveillance program called the Consolidated Tower & Surveillance Equipment (CTSE) program, will enable the agency to perform surveillance along the borders even more effectively. Built with commercial technology, the autonomous towers employ edge AI/machine learning, patented video analytics and advanced microwave, 5G and satellite communication capabilities for real-time surveillance. This reduces operator workloads, accelerates decision-making, enhances situational awareness and safety, and allows Border Patrol agents to focus on critical field operations.
“Border security missions require more than manpower. They require autonomous systems and advanced technology at scale to close the gap,” said Michael Wagner, GDIT’s vice president of Biometrics, Border & Transportation Security. “This certification reflects our commitment to consistently invest in mission-ready solutions that CBP can deploy with confidence to support its operations.”
