Assassin Drone Aerovironment's new "Anubis" project sounds eerily similar to the Switchblade drone, seen here Aerovironment
Posted on 03/10/2010 4:31:03 PM PST by neverdem
The deadly drone could find and dispatch single-person targets, with "very low collateral damage"
Assassin Drone Aerovironment's new "Anubis" project sounds eerily similar to the Switchblade drone, seen here Aerovironment
Missile strikes by Predators, Reapers, or other aerial drones usually result in messy explosions on the ground. Now the never-ending but perhaps futile quest to attain zero collateral damage may take another step forward, with a small micro-drone missile that can kill individual targets from afar. A new $1.18-million, Phase-III Air Force contract (Phase III is typically the final development phase) for the "Anubis" drone has been awarded to the firm Aerovironment, Aviation Week's Ares Defense Blog reports.
A recent federal budget document references Anubis as a micro air vehicle that can track down "high-value maneuvering targets" -- also known as wanted persons running for dear life. There is also mention of "non-line-of-sight" capability with "very low collateral damage," so that someone could presumably launch Anubis from a hidden spot and let it home in on any unfortunate individual, with less risk than having a sniper do the job.
The documents also specifically mention that Anubis would also keep a human operator in the loop before firing off at any old target, so don't worry about Terminator scenarios just yet. But the possibility of runaway drones may still rear its head.
Ares Defense Blog notes that Aerovironment has also been developing the Switchblade drone that can quietly loiter overheard before zooming in to target an enemy. The firm already advertises Switchblade as giving warfighters a "magic bullet," so we wonder how much better the Anubis can do -- if it isn't indeed some variant of the Switchblade.
We imagine that such weapons should prove popular among both stealthy spooks and regular warfighters who just want to get the drop on enemies. And we expect it won't be long before we're writing about DARPA's cyborg beetles becoming living bombs.
[via Aviation Week's Ares Defense Blog]
Ping.
THAT GPS FEDERAL DATA BASE IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DESTROYED.
What does AG Holder say? Have the Justice Department cleared this? Other than for use on Israeli political leadership, I mean.
“Kinetic Change-of-command” ping.
AR PARROT - Controlled from your IPOD. On-board microcam relays flight picture back to IPOD.
“THAT GPS FEDERAL DATA BASE IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DESTROYED.”
I hate to tell you this but the military has a database that the census does not feed and can target your couch if they so wanted. The entire planet has been mapped to 1 meter resolution or less. If they wanted to hit your house they can it right now. Give them 3 minutes and your front, back, or doggie door can be targeted.
Thanks.
Those are jut ‘wwwwayyyyyy’ too cool.
Just.
What, you think they can’t get the GPS coordinates of your house using Google Maps?
I have been following their products for years. They have really expanded the capabilities of their porducts.
Well, maybe this is the ultimate “force multiplier”. What would you rather have in your arsenal - an atomic bomb or an autonomous robotic flying device the size of a paperback book programmed to seek out a uniquely identifiable person (i.e., enemy leader) and blow up when within 6 inches of that person? I maintain that the latter would actually be more powerful from a strategic point of view.
I have had this conversation myriads of times over the last few months.
Think about it. The government will have access to surbeillance andassault capabilities with no warrants necessary and we would not even know.Ifthats not a problem for you, then you perhaps might rethink it on a constitutional basis.
It has to do with the 4th amendment, not google.Your argument would result in a complete loss of 4th amendment rights based on an excuse that the data is publicly available. Its a specious argument.
They're actually looking into insect-sized robots. I doubt the insect UAVs would explode -- more likely inject the target with a potent neurotoxin or some such.
A dictator like Obama could kill a citizen with a secret finding and secret executive order. There is a huge difference. Think about your 4th amendment rights, not the technology.
It’s all great fun until they’re being used in the USA against “right wing extremists.”
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