Saturday, September 10, 2011

Praxis: "Suicide Drones."

"Switchblade."

11 comments:

TPaine said...

I want one of these things! Using Mapquest, I can think of several high-opportunity targets I'd program into the thing.

It wouldn't be too hard to roll your own, if you've ever been an R/C hobbyist. Probably the hardest part to get would be the warhead part.

Dedicated_Dad said...

Surprising only that it took them this long!

When I first heard of drones equipped with missiles I said "that's DUMB! WHY NOT MAKE THE DRONE ITSELF A MISSILE?! Didn't we learn ANYTHING from 9-11??

Screwed once again!

Anonymous said...

This technology is adaptable,,,, remote control airplanes anyone.

ANONYMOUS,THIS TIME
III
SOMEWHERE,USA

Bad Cyborg said...

Oh WOW!!! A BREAKTHROUGH OF EPIC PROPORTIONS!! A remote control cruise missile!

TPaine, the warhead part would be easy. How about a pound (or 2 or 3 or 10?) of smokeless powder? Or plain old gunpowder? Or maybe a warhead composed of that neat 2-part explosive you can buy on the internet. You know? The stuff they use to make exploding targets? From what I've seen on the tube, it makes a fair to middling boom.

The Empire of Japan had smart bombs back in WWII (and I don't mean the Kami Kazi corps). They actually DEVELOPED a piloted bomb. The U.S. had a smart bomb, too. They used a trained pigeon pecking on a screen with electrodes imbedded in it. Never deployed it, though. ASPCA weenies raised ONE UNHOLY HELL of a stink so the project was shelved.

irishdutchuncle said...

i've been an R/C "enthusiast", more than 30 years. working mostly by myself, i've had one fully successful model. i don't want to think about how much money i've spent. (R/C gear is cheaper, and more capable right now than at any time in the last 50 years)

although any college engineering student could probably build the device, there is a steep learning curve when you try to teach yourself how to fly it.

these things still have to obey the laws of physics. the structure has to be able to carry the "payload" far enough away from the "launcher" so as not to become a suicide device.

millerized said...

Coming soon to a retreat near you.

Reporter: Officer, do you have any comment?
LEO: Well, loos li one of dose damn tee partierz was messin round wif the draino and clorox again. Just never lern, does day? Yup.

Now I gotta go think about sandbags on the ROOF of the house now....

Chase said...

"The drone, created by AeroVironment, is able to fly in both autonomous robot mode or as a remotely piloted air vehicle."

This means that it actually IS a "drone," an autonomous robot, unlike the Predator, which is constantly referred to as one but is just a remotely operated vehicle. Nerd rage!

Dennis308 said...

There are R/C Plane models that have wing-spans of over 6 ft. and ranges of more than a mile with the right weather and radio frequencies. Someone could install a digital video camera to use for "eyes" and save weight in the navigation part of this "toy" and by doing so increase the "payload".

Remember this "toy" is not coming back home so ya don't have to learn to land it. That sounds all to familiar.

There are also R/C car,truck, and boat models for people that are afraid to fly the friendly skies.

Just a couple of ideas, as I am not a R/C "enthusiast",and really don't have any idea as to what I'm talking about.

Dennis
III
Texas

irishdutchuncle said...

yeh, if your "toy" is constructed with unlimited ammounts of other peoples money... and you don't care if you get it back. you're not worried about having "insurance", since you are actually trying to hurt other people...
you've spent hours practicing on a model flight simulator... so you can maybe hit your target...

you're entirely correct,
i have no idea what i'm talking about either.

irishdutchuncle said...

... all i'm saying is that anyone with a legitimate interest in the radio control hobbies should get some gear now. begin to enjoy the hobby now. (or at least find out more about it)

if this seems like something you would enjoy doing with your children, (nieces, nephews, grandchildren, etc) you may need to buy two or more sets. hobby grade stuff is more satisfying to use than toy junk.

(in the interest of full disclosure, i have held part time jobs in a couple hobby shops)

Dennis308 said...

Hurt other people??????
Just the ones that want to hurt me, and you for being here. We have ALL bene denounced by none other that Bill Clinton.

Dennis
III
Texas