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I was wondering why 8 isn't more wide-spread. We tend to see all these fun applications in tech news but the unfortunately obvious route for UAVs is for war/ter

I was wondering why 8 isn't more wide-spread. We tend to see all these fun applications in tech news but the unfortunately obvious route for UAVs is for war/terror purposes (beyond the predator drones). On a smaller scale, these will be used as a replacement for suicide bombers and even targeted kills.

karmacondon 11y ago
Because it still isn't cost effective. A drone that can be guided, either autonomously or by a human, will cost at least, what, $80 wholesale? That will almost equal the price of the ordinance. Causing a lot of casualties at a low cost is one of the major appeals of field artillery and explosives. Now, maybe it would make more sense for the assassination of carefully guarded targets. But it will probably be a few more years before that technology is more reliable than strapping a vest containing c4 on someone.
- jrk_ 11y ago
  I hate to write this, but it must be more expensive than $80 to raise, brain-wash and train a human to become a suicide bomber..?
- ChuckMcM 11y ago
  We we have seen the army deploying their "smart munitions" gun this year (http://arstechnica.co.uk/information-technology/2015/10/army-to-test-smart-grenade-launcher-that-can-hit-targets-behind-things/ http://arstechnica.co.uk/information-technology/2015/10/army...) the purpose of which is to defeat enemies behind cover. That works when you are in 'gun range' of their cover and can shoot at them. But if you're pinned down? What about the enemies rear area where they are staging? How quickly can you set up and tear down a mortar emplacement? Giving the soldier on the ground the ability to send a round exactly where they want to, behind cover, even inside a building. And I think you've created a very strong force multiplier. Given the the current state of the art in having locally operated visual recognition on the drone itself (http://www.csail.mit.edu/drone_flies_through_forest_at_30_mph http://www.csail.mit.edu/drone_flies_through_forest_at_30_mp...) to either avoid obstacles or target specific objects makes the weapon even more effective. In my opinion when these things make their debut they will be as disruptive as the machine gun.
velox_io 11y ago
2016 Anti-drone defenses will boom. I am surprised too that NATO troops don't use smaller drones to check for snipers and ambushes.
- JoeAltmaier 11y ago
  I see tiny surveillance drones on every helmet, with HUD controls. Look into every room before entering; see what's coming up around every bend. And land back on the helmet to recharge! Like the SAW, need one on every team.
- viraptor 11y ago
  They're visible and loud. And unless you're using something with decent radio/battery range, you're still in the visual / shooting range.

karmacondon 11y ago

Because it still isn't cost effective. A drone that can be guided, either autonomously or by a human, will cost at least, what, $80 wholesale? That will almost equal the price of the ordinance. Causing a lot of casualties at a low cost is one of the major appeals of field artillery and explosives. Now, maybe it would make more sense for the assassination of carefully guarded targets. But it will probably be a few more years before that technology is more reliable than strapping a vest containing c4 on someone.

jrk_ 11y ago
I hate to write this, but it must be more expensive than $80 to raise, brain-wash and train a human to become a suicide bomber..?
ChuckMcM 11y ago
We we have seen the army deploying their "smart munitions" gun this year (http://arstechnica.co.uk/information-technology/2015/10/army-to-test-smart-grenade-launcher-that-can-hit-targets-behind-things/ http://arstechnica.co.uk/information-technology/2015/10/army...) the purpose of which is to defeat enemies behind cover. That works when you are in 'gun range' of their cover and can shoot at them. But if you're pinned down? What about the enemies rear area where they are staging? How quickly can you set up and tear down a mortar emplacement? Giving the soldier on the ground the ability to send a round exactly where they want to, behind cover, even inside a building. And I think you've created a very strong force multiplier. Given the the current state of the art in having locally operated visual recognition on the drone itself (http://www.csail.mit.edu/drone_flies_through_forest_at_30_mph http://www.csail.mit.edu/drone_flies_through_forest_at_30_mp...) to either avoid obstacles or target specific objects makes the weapon even more effective. In my opinion when these things make their debut they will be as disruptive as the machine gun.

velox_io 11y ago

2016 Anti-drone defenses will boom. I am surprised too that NATO troops don't use smaller drones to check for snipers and ambushes.

JoeAltmaier 11y ago
I see tiny surveillance drones on every helmet, with HUD controls. Look into every room before entering; see what's coming up around every bend. And land back on the helmet to recharge! Like the SAW, need one on every team.
viraptor 11y ago
They're visible and loud. And unless you're using something with decent radio/battery range, you're still in the visual / shooting range.