A squadron of robot spy planes, similar to those used by US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, will throw an anti-terror screen around Australia’s oil and natural gas reserves and guard northern borders.

The Government will also assess the effectiveness of these American-built Global Hawk and Mariner aerial vehicles in bolstering Australia’s border protection force of navy frigates and surveillance aircraft on alert for people smugglers and patagonian toothfish hunters.

The Global Hawk has high-resolution sensors that can penetrate darkness and bad weather to relay information on people who are unaware they are being watched.

The Mariner can carry additional fuel, making it capable of flying missions lasting up to 49 hours. Both aircrafts are equipped with state-of-the-art, real-time imaging technology.

A trial of the system will take place next year.

From Herald Sun, via Robotics.