DHS Seeks AI-Powered Surveillance Trucks for Border Monitoring

The Department of Homeland Security is moving forward with plans to deploy a fleet of high-tech surveillance vehicles along US borders, according to federal contracting documents reviewed by WIRED. The proposed system would transform standard 4×4 trucks into rolling observation towers equipped with artificial intelligence, advanced radar systems, and high-powered cameras.

Mobile Surveillance Platform

Customs and Border Protection quietly published what’s being called a “Modular Mobile Surveillance System” or M2S2 in recent presolicitation notices. The technical specifications describe a system that border agents could park in remote locations, raise a telescoping mast, and begin monitoring activity within minutes. Sources indicate the vehicles would be capable of detecting movement several miles away under optimal conditions.

What makes this system notably different from existing border technology is its emphasis on mobility combined with autonomous operation. Unlike fixed surveillance towers that cover specific geographic points, these trucks could theoretically be deployed anywhere along the vast border regions, then relocated as operational needs change.

AI-Powered Detection

The surveillance system would rely heavily on computer vision technology, a form of artificial intelligence that enables machines to interpret visual data. According to the technical documents, the algorithms are trained on thousands if not millions of images to distinguish between people, animals, and vehicles. This same technology has previously been deployed in military drones, though its application to domestic border security represents a significant expansion.

Building on this capability, the system would automatically pinpoint detected objects on digital maps within 250 feet of their true location, with developers aiming for a more precise 50-foot accuracy target. The location data would transmit through TAK, a government-built tactical mapping platform originally developed by the Department of Defense to help troops coordinate movements and avoid friendly fire incidents.

Budget Context and Operational Modes

This technological push comes amid substantial budget increases for immigration enforcement. Reports indicate Congress has boosted DHS’s discretionary budget authority to approximately $65 billion, with over $160 billion allocated for border measures across multiple years. The administration has reportedly sought the largest expansion in the agency’s history, proposing roughly 65 percent funding increases for new enforcement initiatives.

Analysts note the surveillance system is designed for two distinct operational modes. One involves having an agent on-site operating the equipment, while the other allows for mostly unattended operation where the vehicle’s onboard AI conducts surveillance independently. In autonomous mode, the system would send alerts to remote operators when it detects activity, creating what amounts to a mobile, self-operating surveillance outpost.

Data Retention and Privacy Considerations

The proposed system includes comprehensive data logging requirements that have raised questions among privacy advocates. According to the specifications, missions would be logged from start to finish with video, maps, and sensor data retained for at least 15 days. Notably, this data would be locked against deletion “under any circumstances,” creating permanent records of all surveillance activities.

This development represents the latest evolution in border surveillance technology, moving beyond stationary cameras and fixed towers toward more flexible, intelligent systems. The integration of multiple sensor types—visual, thermal, radar—connected through robust wireless networks creates a comprehensive monitoring capability that could significantly extend the reach of Customs and Border Protection operations.

Industry observers suggest the M2S2 program reflects broader trends in law enforcement technology, where AI-powered systems are increasingly being deployed for monitoring and detection tasks that previously required constant human attention. As these systems become more sophisticated, they’re likely to transform how border security operations are conducted across challenging terrain.