Aerial surveillance by the FBI is nothing new, but a review by The Associated Press published this week reported that the scale of the fleet is larger than previously known and the planes are registered in a way to mask that they are owned by the FBI.
The agency flew above more than 30 cities in 11 states over a 30-day period. The planes are masked by the existence of at least 13 fictitious companies.
At least 115 planes, including 90 Cessna aircraft, were mentioned in a federal budget document from 2009.
FBI routinely uses aviation assets in support of predicated investigations targeting specific individuals. The aircraft are not equipped, designed, or used for bulk collection activities or mass surveillance. The FBI uses all tools and equipment, and conducts all investigations, in accordance with the Attorney General Guidelines and the FBI's Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide.
The planes, which are equipped for electronic surveillance, are used both for FBI investigations and also at the request of state and local officials.
The FBI has acknowledged using drones for domestic surveillance.
cnn
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