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Paragliding Military Drones Under Development
electric_mongoose writes "NewScientistTech has a story about paragliding military drones being developed by a US company called Atair Aerodynamics. These aircraft could be airdropped or ground launched and fly for over 48 hours carrying a 100 kilogram payload, including video surveillance equipment."
As an Irishman who lived under British helicopters for a time, I can see that this technology makes the flight and surveillance capabilities that once were restricted to states available to all.
Small irregular groups fighting state armies will use technology like this to balance their lack of cash and lack of supporters.
A simple example would be that an INLA unit instead of shooting a Member of Parliamnet could use a drone to track him and a second drone to dive bomb him with 100kg of C4.
The implication is that an organisation with little popular support and little capital could inflict heavy casualties on anyone it chooses. 100 kg is a LOT of C4. Even bank robbers could use this.
I have deliberately used an example from northern Ireland to avoid people with strong views on Iraq or Israel assuming that I want an off topic debate. Just think bout how this technology changes the balance of power that has traditionally shaped our thinking on policing and military defenses.
1000s Warcraft Gold while you sleep
- Leaflets
- Food and medical supplies
- A bomb
- Starbucks coffee for the boys
- Non-lethal weapons - like a sound generator
- A spy - like James Bond
- A mini-nuke
- Chemical weapons
- Leaflets
- A "laser" (think Austin Powers)
- Temporary Wi-Fi mesh hotspot
- Pornography for the troops for those long and lonely nights
There's more I'm sure...A lazy terrorist with a shoulder rocket launcher could take one of these out while on his lunch break. I don't see why DARPA is so excited about this. I'm sure it'll be as effective as those stealth hot-air balloons they used in the Revolutionary War.
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