U.S. Army to fly ‘kamikaze’ drones

[Are_grits_groceries]

WASHINGTON — A miniature “kamikaze” drone designed to quietly hover in the sky before dive-bombing and slamming into a human target will soon be part of the US Army’s arsenal, officials say.

Dubbed the “Switchblade,” the robotic aircraft represents the latest attempt by the United States to refine how it takes out suspected militants.Weighing less than two kilos, the drone is small enough to fit into a soldier’s backpack and is launched from a tube, with wings quickly folding out as it soars into the air, according to manufacturer AeroVironment.

Powered by a small electric motor, the Switchblade transmits video in real time from overhead, allowing a soldier to identify an enemy, the company said in a press release last month.

“Upon confirming the target using the live video feed, the operator then sends a command to the air vehicle to arm it and lock its trajectory onto the target,” it said.The drone then flies into the “target,” detonating a small explosive.
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http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/10/17/u-s-army-to-fly-kamikaze-drones/
If the government would spend 10% of the money and energy on projects beneficial to its citizens, there is no limit to what might be developed. R&D has lagged badly in many areas because of a lack of money AND because of the misguided idea that basic research ideas have no practical benefits.

The idiots don't realize that basic research is the first and most vital step in developing new products. You don't jump directly from nothing to the manufacture of a new drug to treat some disease. Nor do you jump from nothing to the plans for cost effective and green cars that will work for the general public. These are 2 examples. The shunning of R&D is a direct offshoot of the anti-science movement.

Companies are too busy working on drones or other security projects so they can sell the to the government and probably overcharge the buyers to boot. They are putting their money into making products that give them a high return on their money. For the last decade, that means methods to help the government spy on, collect and collate info on, and/or destroying the 'enemies' of the US as they define them. The 'enemies' category engulfs more and more people because it is really made up of those who oppose the PTB and their goals. They do not have the general public's welfare at the forefront.

If you see what you think is a very large flying insect or animal, it might just be a KKD with your ame on it compliments of Uncle Sam.

[Tunkamerica]

1. It'll just be an excuse for when they're surfing for porn and crash into a school

[formercia]

16. ..along with Kamikaze bullets, artillery,bombs...etc

Just like the videos from the nose of guided bombs about to hit their target in Iraq. Kamikaze alludes to their being a pilot on board, which is not the case.

[formercia]

17. Ooops, wrong joystick....n/t

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. I would just die if one of these things ran into me... n/t.

[NickB79]

3. The first step towards Screamers. nt

[Tunkamerica]

4. worst movie ever.

My friend and I went to see it in the theater in HS. The planet's name was Sirius. Every time one of us laughed at the stupidity the other one would say: "This is Sirius!"

[NickB79]

6. There's a sequel on Youtube

Just as bad, IMO.

[IntravenousDemilo]

5. Every day, my opinion of Homo sapiens sinks just that much lower.

There's a lot to be said about a species that is always looking for new and inventive ways to inflict harm, destruction, and death -- none of it complimentary.

[Cid_B]

7. Bah...

I'm all for something that takes my Soldiers out of harm's way and makes it easier to do my job. Love it...

[Tunkamerica]

9. Your soldiers may be facing the same threat in less time than you think.

[frylock]

13. because the easier we make it to kill people, the better our society will be..

right?

[LiberalEsto]

8. This is evil

What's to stop a future president from droning anyone on the planet he/she feels like getting rid of?

[Tunkamerica]

10. To almost contradict my prev. comment... What's to stop him/her now.

The implement does not matter.

[FiveGoodMen]

12. What's to stop the CURRENT one?

[xchrom]

11. what do these cost? nt

[AngkorWot]

14. I'd imagine a lot less that a fighter jet or guided missle.

It's one of the great benefits of drones. You don't have to design the whole thing around protecting the life of the human pilot.

[bvar22]

15. Unmanned Drones were called "Terror Weapons"...

..when the Germans used them in WW2.



You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.

Solidarity99!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[gratuitous]

18. Seems we prosecuted that as a crime against humanity

I wonder what the words "mercy" and "justice" will mean should our imperial grip ever slip, and our actions are judged by our victims and their survivors. Will "just doing our job" be a valid defense?

[AngkorWot]

21. That might be because they sort of aimed them at civilian populations.

With the intended cause of causing terror and hurting morale, rather than serving any actual military purpose.

[bvar22]

23. Death & Destruction for "Good Intentions" is a difficult argument to make here

Tell me, what was the "Military Purpose" for the Fire Bombing of Dresden?


The only real distinction is that the people who use these things always have a good "intention" absolving themselves of any responsibility,
but that distinction makes no difference to the dead and maimed.

[Safetykitten]

19. They come with those six-pack plastic rings, 50 Million packs.

[CJCRANE]

20. Before long they'll have automonous kamikaze drones

with their own AI.

It reminds me of a short story I read in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine back in the 80s. The robot bomb ends up hovering above its intended victim who tries to persuade it not to carry out its mission. I can't remember if there was a happy ending.

[petronius]

22. Iain Banks' Culture universe contains 'knife missiles' - tiny semi-sentient

drones with a whole range of nasty possibilities. That was the first thing I thought of here...

(My second thought was that these are misnamed - isn't it just a small and slow guided missile? :shrug:)