Developing Open Source Defense Projects

An anonymous reader writes "I'm a developer looking to develop an open source surface-to-air missile guidance system, with the aim of helping developing nations develop low-cost missile defense systems to aid them against attack by the warplanes of invading forces. However, given the very nature of the project, I feel I may be walking into a bit of a minefield regarding the legalities of such a project, since, as I'm sure you can imagine, this project could easily benefit hostile nations was well as relatively peaceful ones! Unfortunately, since Google does not seem to shed much light on the subject, I'd be very interested in hearing Slashdot's views on the matter, especially some advice from those in the know about the legal matters - whether there would be any restrictions (exports, perhaps?) or whether it would be simply plain illegal to develop!"

Comments

I C U

[baudilus]

I CTRL+P'd this and faxed it to the DOD. Also to the RIAA, they can find you Mr. "Anonymous Reader."

Guided Missiles

[A55M0NKEY]

How frikken hard can it be to design a guided missile? I mean hobbyists already build and operate model jet airplanes. It would seem that you could just replace the jet engine with a rocket engine ( or not, just use the off the shelf jet engine ) add a camera with a TV frequency transmitter ( get from spy shop ) and sit in your van steering the thing manually to the target like a kamikaze. I think you could build a decent cruise missile with at least a 5 mile range for less than $1000 and a high school education.