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Autralian Mining Companies Increasing Use of UAVs
aesoteric writes "Australia's top miners have opened a new front in their march to automation, flying unmanned aerial vehicles in increasing numbers at remote sites across the country. They've been used to inspect a fire-damaged oil rig, perform aerial photography and stockpile surveys. There is also a trend towards non U.S.-built UAVs, due to the lag in receiving export approvals for the aircraft and spare parts."
I would like to know why this has been tagged as being about "Australia" and not my home country, "Autralia". Stupid Americans! I suppose you think Autria is the same country, too!
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Our neighbors are dumping fill in our lake and I would love a UAV to catch them in the act.
Imagine how much this must be saving them, with their $300,000/year (plus perks) salaries for low-education workers.
The grand word "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle" hides the very simple concept of an oversized radio-controlled plane. Amateurs have been doing aerial photography - and sometimes very good aerial photography - on the cheap with RC planes for a long time. Nothing earth-shattering here...
"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
Everybody has got one. I know. I know. I'm a chronic late adopter.
You hear a lot of hyperbole lately from across the political spectrum bemoaning dire consequences from the use of UAVs. But having worked for a UAV manufacturer in the past, I know with certainty that they are preparing many flavors of unmanned systems for civil and commercial uses. Land management, asset management, traffic reporting, forestry, mining, oceanography, geology, communications, medevac, and cargo applications are just a few of the things that they could do... and will one day.
However, the only people now with enough money to purchase them are military customers. Thats why almost all of the UAVs out there are military ones.
I can see the fnords!
Dollars, Taxes. That's where my uncle is a-from.
The use of an UAV for stockpile monitoring sounds like a bit of hype to me. Stockpiles are constantly changing not only in size, but in shape as well. Hence, they need to be constantly monitored. Show me an UAV that can constantly monitor a stockpile in real time 24/7, then we'll talk.
Look where all this talking got us, baby.
And the sharks. And the sharks with lasers on their heads! Don't tell me you had to settle for mutant tuna!
I hear Iran is now in the business of building US Non Us built UAV...
But on a more serious not, I can only understand this. With the export of an UAV, you also export enough paper work for two full time jobs.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=478_1338122500
I think people have lot of time commenting on random stuff (me included lol)
1 click order on HobbyKing and a make 100 Zaphyrs, and bingo , you have a army of planes, all for less than $1k per plane.
diydrones.com too has great gear.
basically, any product you want, 3 minutes google, and you have it, unless you want UAVs with tasers+shotguns and gas powered engines for Terminator style attacks
Liberty freedom are no1, not dicks in suits.
Aerovel has a unit that stays up 48 hrs, then lands and refuels and takes back off totally anonymously.
You mean it leaves without paying for the fuel?
Must be the Autrailian speelling...
the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Why is there an expectation that people would buy product from some particular country, particularly if that country has severe restrictions on export? Is this "U.S." place going to get used to being in a free market one day?
Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"