Cochise County Launches Drone Pilot Program for Enhanced U.S.-Mexico Border Surveillance

The Cochise County Sheriff's Office is launching a new drone pilot program this fall to enhance surveillance and operations along the U.S.-Mexico border, in alignment with President Donald Trump's executive order "Unleashing American Drone Dominance." Partnering with Draganfly Inc., a Canadian-founded but U.S.-owned company, the program will utilize advanced drones capable of flying up to seven hours and carrying close to 100 pounds of payload, including humanitarian supplies and critical equipment. These drones feature AI-enhanced video capabilities, two-way communication, and thermal imaging to support interdiction, apprehension, search and rescue, and humanitarian efforts. The program aims to address the challenges of the vast southern Arizona border terrain, improving upon the current fleet's limited battery life and operational duration. The Cochise County Sheriff's Office has previously been recognized for its innovative use of technology in border enforcement, with high-profile support from President Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Draganfly's CEO Cameron Chell emphasized the partnership's focus on community-minded, mission-ready law enforcement and the potential for expanding the program to other border agencies.