Advanced Communications Experiment – Cross-border Autonomous Vehicle Session Persistence Experiment and Research

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is hosting the 2026 Advanced Communications Experiment Cross-border Autonomous Vehicle Session Persistence Experiment and Research (ACE-CASPER) in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Canada. The experiment aims to evaluate the operational readiness and technological capabilities of 5G Session Persistence and 5G connectivity with UAS and AV systems in a cross-border emergency scenario. The primary focus is on demonstrating resilient, persistent 5G communications across U.S. and Canadian networks. Some key aspects of the experiment include: • Secure, resilient 5G session persistence, with connectivity across U.S. and Canadian border networks • Seamless command and control (C2) handoff, and real-time data interoperability • Operational readiness validation for DHS components and DRDC with State, Provincial, and Local players in cross-border coordination • Bi-national response coordination using enhanced, real-time situational awareness tools