Now I know why the Pentagon’s chiefs are spending billions to develop heavily-armed, flying robots. It’s so they can get their Amazon deliveries quicker.
Well, maybe it won’t be the main mission. But Mike Francis, Darpa’s program director for Joint-Unmanned Combat Air Systems, says there might be a couple of commercial applications in the killer drones’ underlying algorithms. At the agency’s DarpaTech 2005 conference, Francis noted that J-UCAS technology — including multiple unmanned aircraft (unarmed, of course) and the planes’ associated software and ground systems — could be commercialized for a variety of uses. Inspecting power lines are one possibility. Handling security is another. A third is delivering or tracking UPS or FedEx packages.
Darpa announced that Boeing’s X-45A prototype killer drones successfully completed a suppression of enemy air defenses demonstration last week, including detecting multiple simulated threats and performing coordinated attacks on multiple targets. The aircraft also prioritized targets, re-planned attacks as priorities changed and avoided simulated “pop-up” threats. It’s no so hard to imagine the drones using the same decision-making processes to cope with slightly less-lethal choices.
– Catherine Macrae Hockmuth
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“Special Delivery,” For Sure
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Now, the idea that the Pentagon chiefs are developing UAV technology to get their Amazon deliveries faster is just plain Silly!
I’d be amazed if the average Pentagon chief even knows how to find Amazon.com on the Internet.
=8^).
Good Morning,
NASA may be ahead of DARPA on this one. NASA has incorporated a program called “Auto Nav” (Autonomous Navigation) in it’s Deep Impact Spacecraft, Comet Tempel I that impacted a comet on July 3d. The interception trejectory and choice of point of impact was all done autonomously by the spacecraft itself.
If NASA can hit a comet, the DoD can surely have the X45 and X47 hit targets on there own. I guess all the Pentagon needs now is to write a “Lawyer Program” to approve the selected target for elimation.
ALLONS,
Byron Skinner
“Stewart’s Platoon”
lmao. But true they probably couldnt. well not without their secretary having to explain the wonder that is te internet and the wonder that is the computer (well one that doesnt take up a room anyway)
What are they going to do, fly around deadly birds? I have to say it’s very interesting to hear about anmanned aircraft. i just hore that they don’t totally replace humans.
Dropping our packages on our front stoop from 30,000 cant be any worse than how they handle them now.
the drop from thirty thousnd stoops is good, but the navigation instructor should probably should make a call to reassure the pilot of proper procedures before the pilot gets his hands dirty, with all due respect!!
inst or call from instroctor allons
Now, we can use drones for Spec Ops cargo air drops & VIP service & Mail order alone.
VSTOL for FedEx with Mach 2 speeds?
Nice.
We need 2 squadrons along US Mex border.
Armed & Recon types.
We also need Submarine launched folding wing UAV drones from VA class subs & SSBN types for Navy SEAL use.
Launched cruise missile mode fwd.
Needed.
OR as Marine One for White House?
Good Morning Stephen,
The (who ever is in charge of these things) is way ahead of you. UAV’s have been flying along the U.S./Mexican Border for at least two years. The Marines, Army and National Guard conduct exercises along the border in the undeveloped areas frequently.
U.S. Navy and USCG Ships operate openly with in Mexican water (with Mexico’s concent, of course) as for Submarines Stephen, well that I can’t say but how offen do U.S.N. surface ship without their undersea budddies?
It’s a well known “Secret” that Navy Seals have a training area on the United States/Mexican Border near the town of Campo.
Before the 2004 Presidental Elections it was known as “Camp Kerry” after former Nebraska Senator Bob Kerry, but when he suppported fellow Vietnam Veteran in his bid for the Presidency in 2004 this up set many current serving Seals and they changed the facilities name,the faclities new name is now “Classified” I’ve been told.
Still Bob Kerry is the only Seal holder of the CMH, ever.
What do the Seals do at this “Training Area” Stephen, well I will let you use your imagination.
ALLONS,
Byron Skinner
“Stewart’s Platoon”
another shit for world domination publiticed as a nice thing we, inhabitants of this planet, should like and be thankful for. yeah… whatever…
Drones are certainly the future of air combat. With Air Dominance, it allows for assymmetrical warfare and an easy win…we hope !!