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Smithsonian Gets Military UAVs
NetworkWorld is reporting that a new exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum is featuring some of the military's more prominent UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). In addition to the vehicles themselves, a large number of supporting technologies are also on display. "Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are used by all four military branches for missions ranging from reconnaissance and surveillance to attack and each branch is represented in this exhibit: Predator, DarkStar, X-45A (Air Force); Shadow 200 (Army); Dragon Eye (Marine Corps); and Pioneer (Navy)."
It's funny that this is the second story on Slashdot in a row about military technology. For me, this shows an interesting dichotomy in how military issues are treated here. On one hand, us nerds show certain tendencies to pacifism, especially with the current war in Iraq. War, in a Star Trek sense, is often seen as belonging to a backward age of Man. On the other hand, among the nerd community there has always been an admiration of military technological advances and the efficiency of military organization. Look at the long popularity of Heinlein's Starship Troopers , for example.
Bosch Aerospace Theater
There's five branches in the U.S. military. Four in the Department of Defense, and one in the Department of Homeland Security.
Have you been touched by his noodly appendage?
Time to visit the Smithsonian, take lots of pictures, and reverse engineer a couple of my own. :D
I was actually at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum a week ago. The museum overall is simply fantastic--a must see for any die-hard geek. Actually, the Air and Space is split into two parts: a museum in downtown DC that has some planes and the lunar re-entry vehicles; and a larger hangar near the airport (Dulles, in Virginia) that has larger planes and space vehicles (including the Space Shuttle Enterprise). Best of all, the Smithsonian Museums all have free admittance. (I probably sound like an ad for the Smithsonians--I just really enjoyed it!)
I saw the UAV exhibit, and it is indeed quite cool to see the sizes and designs of these vehicles. (FYI: the UAV exhibit is at the downtown DC museum.) On the one hand the UAVs are quite large, if you compare them to RC planes and helicopters. On the other hand, it's amazing how far the technology has come, that we can build a flight-capable system with high-quality (military-grade surveillance) optics in such a small package.
We're already having a hard enough time keeping the militant wing of the Salvation Army in check, and now we're starting to give those fascists at the Smithsonian surveillance and attack UAVs- that's just asking for trouble.
They use them more now than the little electric carts with six wheels. They go through the gate and can fly and some have little missles that can take out small squads of Jaffa really quickly.
Tsukasa: All I really want, is to be left alone...
UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles)
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
Was that really necessary? :p
On one notable mission, a group of Iraqi fighters surrendered to the [UAV] as it flew over their heads. Marines were directed to their position, where they then captured the fighters.
Ahhh ha ha. Suckers.
You are awash in a sea of fiercely stated opinions. Obvious exits are: 'File->Quit', 'Reply', and 'Page Down'.
From the title I was hoping that the Smithsonian had obtained a fleet of UAVs and would have them constantly flying over various parts of the world streaming video and remote-sensing data to public monitors in the museum in real time.
I was surprised by the size of the Predator, and I don't recall ever having seen DarkStar before. There's a U2 in the back of the ground floor. And the mannequin is wearing a flight suit donated by Francis Gary Powers' family.
A very interesting exhibit on computers and flight, which includes an Apollo Guidance Computer.
Also did a trip to the National Cryptologic Museum, which is *well* worth the time it takes to get there. (Don't forget to pick up your NSA logo-wear at the gift shop!)
Unless I'm missing something, or not comprehending something correctly, in your response, the U.S. Coast Guard is structured under the Department of Homeland Security. Prior to the existence of DHS, it was part of the Department of Transportation. FWIW.
they should try and get their hands on the uk 'bugger off' drone
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03/26/phoenix_says_goodbye/
if only so future generations can learn how not to make a drone.
The have tips, hints, and plans, even include where to get the gps and other nav boards, and software with autopilot capability. Its all pretty interesting stuff. If I had free time Id probly try one myself.
Tm
But I'm wondering...why no Frogstar Fighter?
Insisting on "correct" English is like saying that there is only one, definitive recipe for chili.
I wonder if this could have any impact on operational security.
... it's just hard not to wonder if being able to walk into a museum and take photos and whatever of something deployed in an operational theater mighn't be problematic.
Obviously, someone vetted putting these on display, so I'm likely wrong
Then again, I'm sure all of the good bits like avionics have been stripped, so the carcass of the drones probably doesn't tell you much.
Cheers
Lost at C:>. Found at C.
Not sure how new this is, we were there well over a month ago and it was already there.
I found it underwhelming - I mean, instead of an interesting exhibition on some of the capabilities of UAVs and how significantly they are changing the tactical landscape, it was just a few UAVs hanging at one end of the hall. (shrug).
-Styopa
this criminal in a
disclosed insecure location.
Cordially,
Kilgore Trout
the pattern you display is known, and unfortunately many do not see the inherent (yet masked) rage as any symptom worthy of attention by an outside professional. Put it this way: someone truly unconcerned about society-at-large (non-confrontational anti-socialism) wouldn't also have significant and augmented animosity towards it.
Just wait a few more years and you'll see them patrolling overhead in your part of town.
-- Wondering how long until the internet becomes fully corporatist, like television.
As I just had the opportunity to fire a few .50 BMG rounds through a Barrett Model 95 this past Friday, I can attest that it is indeed immensely cool! There is very little recoil, but an impressive shock wave smacks you after each shot. I challenge any man to fire this gun and not walk away smiling.
Cole's Axiom: The sum of the intelligence on the planet is a constant. The population is growing.
As an aside, if you're trying to imply that the Marine Corps is part of the Navy, you're either a former squid yourself or just trying to start a fight. Possibly both. :)
Have you been touched by his noodly appendage?
Just because it's not a weapon doesn't mean it's not an instrument of war. Does a laser designator directly damage the target it's using? No, but allows the bombs to hit it more accurately.
Have you been touched by his noodly appendage?