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Minnesota News Network
St. Paul, Minn.

Predator drone to land in Grand Forks today

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The first unmanned surveillance aircraft that will cruise the border skies between Minnesota, North Dakota and Canada arrives in Grand Forks Friday, one day later than scheduled.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials say bad weather delayed the Predator B's arrival at the Grand Forks Air Force base.

The plane is expected to be operational in January. The drone will look for possible terrorists and drug smugglers as part of a Homeland Security mission.

Customs and Border Protection spokesman Mike Corcoran said the Predator B can fly 260 miles per hour at an altitude of 50,000 feet.

"It's large, it's about 10,000 pounds, 10,500 pounds when its loaded out, about 66 foot wingspan. So yeah, this is much more than something small that you would launch in your backyard, this is a full blown aircraft system with sensors on board that is flown by professional pilots," Corcoran said.

The Predator is the first of six that will eventually be stationed at the Grand Forks Air Force base.