The Briefing Room

General Category => Military/Defense News => Topic started by: Ford289HiPo on February 10, 2013, 10:20:04 pm

Title: Drones, the next generation: What new tech can do
Post by: Ford289HiPo on February 10, 2013, 10:20:04 pm

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57568330/drones-the-next-generation-what-new-tech-can-do/
 (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57568330/drones-the-next-generation-what-new-tech-can-do/)

CBS News) The controversy over the use of drone attacks isn't stopping the military from testing the next generation of planes without pilots. The newest drones can be completely guided by computers, not people.

CBS News' David Martin shared some of the latest technology from Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland.

The X-47B is capable of carrying 4,000 pounds of weapons, although right now it is loaded only with instruments as it is launched from a land-based catapult. Remember, there is no pilot on board with a stick and rudder. It is responding to a computer program. Call it "point and click" flying, and according to Capt. Jamie Engdahl, the X-47B is taking drone warfare to a whole new level. Engdahl said, "The test went very well and it's very significant because this is the first time that we're actually doing catapult shots with a vehicle with nobody in the cockpit."

The x-47B has already conducted taxi tests aboard the USS Truman, and later this year, will attempt to take off and land from the deck of an aircraft carrier.

The Navy has not yet decided whether to put weapons on the X-47B. It could be used for other missions like reconnaissance or electronic jamming of enemy air defenses. But it could also be armed.

Unmanned aircraft offer the obvious advantage of being able to attack heavily defended targets without risking a pilot's life. Putting them aboard an aircraft carrier would give the Navy the capability to launch strikes virtually anywhere in the world. Engdahl said, "The biggest thing is that you don't have to worry about permission from other countries to operate a vehicle from foreign airfields."


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 8888crybaby I can't get the embed code to work anywhere, so you'll have to go to the link to see the clip. 8888crybaby
Title: Re: Drones, the next generation: What new tech can do
Post by: DCPatriot on February 10, 2013, 10:28:48 pm
How about being to pin-point where a person is by 'locking' in on your cell phone signal?  To within 1.6 feet?

Do they have something that can appear as if you dropped dead with a heart attack?   

Just asking.


RIP Andrew.
Title: Re: Drones, the next generation: What new tech can do
Post by: famousdayandyear on February 10, 2013, 11:27:38 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lCUGPixEnk
Title: Re: Drones, the next generation: What new tech can do
Post by: famousdayandyear on February 10, 2013, 11:30:53 pm
DARPA Big Dog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40gECrmuCaU
Title: Re: Drones, the next generation: What new tech can do
Post by: Oceander on February 11, 2013, 12:48:47 am
reminds me of the flying saucer things in the movie The Incredibles.
Title: Re: Drones, the next generation: What new tech can do
Post by: Atomic Cow on February 11, 2013, 12:52:15 am
The DARPA thing is a lot like the C.L.A.W. from Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfJebhNBgRA
Title: Re: Drones, the next generation: What new tech can do
Post by: famousdayandyear on February 11, 2013, 01:08:52 am
what if you could "print" your own high cap mag or lower AR-15 receiver?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW3MMvKrkN0&playnext=1&list=PLK7A4dnZk8DsF4oC7SqJ1UngmqzLB8_6G&feature=results_video

Title: Re: Drones, the next generation: What new tech can do
Post by: truth_seeker on February 11, 2013, 01:37:45 am
What technology, machines, tools and materials bridge from the "print" to the completed part?"

Somewhere there need to be lasers, jigs, grinders, cutters, blades, drills, etc.
Title: Re: Drones, the next generation: What new tech can do
Post by: famousdayandyear on February 11, 2013, 01:44:04 am
What technology, machines, tools and materials bridge from the "print" to the completed part?"

Somewhere there need to be lasers, jigs, grinders, cutters, blades, drills, etc.

From what I understand:  Software (ie CAD 3D geometic description of said part), laser, malleable quick setting resin
Title: Re: Drones, the next generation: What new tech can do
Post by: Oceander on February 11, 2013, 02:48:39 am
What technology, machines, tools and materials bridge from the "print" to the completed part?"

Somewhere there need to be lasers, jigs, grinders, cutters, blades, drills, etc.

Basically, nothing is needed.  There's an article about one project - to develop a printable gun that can be printed on one of the current printers, called RepRap, that sells for under $1,000 - here:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2012/08/23/wiki-weapon-project-aims-to-create-a-gun-anyone-can-3d-print-at-home/

And some guy has printed out a lower receiver and using real parts for the rest of it, assembled a firearm that he's put about 200 rounds through (at least as of the time of writing).  His blog post is here: http://haveblue.org/?p=1041

Allied with that is another printing process that allows one to print chemicals.  Right now the concept is to print pharmaceuticals, a fully functional printer of chemicals could be used, I should think, to print out the powder needed to print working rounds, too.

Some mighty interesting things might be afoot, if one could print out what one needed for self-defense at will.
Title: Re: Drones, the next generation: What new tech can do
Post by: Ford289HiPo on February 11, 2013, 11:55:54 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lCUGPixEnk

Note to self- buy a bigger can of RAID and a lot of #7 shot. I don't think a flyswatter is going to work.