4 ms·

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

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.

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.