4 ms·

What I don't understand is that while multicopter drones may only be a decade old, RC planes have been around forever. Why are people only just noticing the pro

by mantap 7y ago

What I don't understand is that while multicopter drones may only be a decade old, RC planes have been around forever. Why are people only just noticing the problem?

evgen 7y ago
Guidance. Until quite recently an RC plane required line of sight to both plane and target and even then accuracy would be limited. Now, with common off the shelf parts, open source software, and wireless cell/satellite networks that have almost global availability anyone can create a guidance package that rivals ones that were only available to a handful of nation-states twenty years ago.
- noir_lord 7y ago
  Indeed, there are people on youtube with planes on autopilot that fly miles away going back at least a decade or so. You can purchase the plans for a UAV you can cut yourself on a CNC/cutter. Flying Squirrel Gemini V-2[1] https://www.youtube.com/user/FPVREVIEWS/videos https://www.youtube.com/user/FPVREVIEWS/videos
- Tepix 7y ago
  „Recently“ is not that recent really. This tech has been available for more than a decade. The lack of attacks is an interesting phenomenon that points to a knowledge gap or availability of technology in the terrorist bubbles.
  - rebuilder 7y ago
    I'm not sure that's the only explanation. Maybe the goals and mindset of currently active terrorist organisations haven't been compatible with drone usage. For example, does not having martyrs fit in with the traditional narrative of Islamic terrorism? Was drone warfare really an option before ISIL?
    - londons_explore 7y ago
      Most small groups attacking a big powerful nation state seem to have "hearts and minds" as the goal. Destroying an oil refinery doesn't really achieve that goal.
      - rebuilder 7y ago
        That's what I'm saying. This doesn't really seem like a terrorist operation, it seems like a military operation.
        kingofpandora 7y ago
        That's because it is a military operation. Naturally opponents of the Houthis will call them terrorists because that's what nations do these days to delegitimize their adversaries.
- zaroth 7y ago
  There was a front page article yesterday about how easy it is to spoof and/or jam GPS. These oilfields have been a prime target for attacks like this for over a decade. I doubt this is a case of a simple hobbyist level project. The drones would have needed serious firepower combined with advanced guidance systems that could keep a target visually and/or with purely inertial sensors, and would likely have to operate entirely autonomously.

by mantap 7y ago

What I don't understand is that while multicopter drones may only be a decade old, RC planes have been around forever. Why are people only just noticing the problem?

evgen 7y ago

Guidance. Until quite recently an RC plane required line of sight to both plane and target and even then accuracy would be limited. Now, with common off the shelf parts, open source software, and wireless cell/satellite networks that have almost global availability anyone can create a guidance package that rivals ones that were only available to a handful of nation-states twenty years ago.

noir_lord 7y ago
Indeed, there are people on youtube with planes on autopilot that fly miles away going back at least a decade or so. You can purchase the plans for a UAV you can cut yourself on a CNC/cutter. Flying Squirrel Gemini V-2[1] https://www.youtube.com/user/FPVREVIEWS/videos https://www.youtube.com/user/FPVREVIEWS/videos
Tepix 7y ago
„Recently“ is not that recent really. This tech has been available for more than a decade. The lack of attacks is an interesting phenomenon that points to a knowledge gap or availability of technology in the terrorist bubbles.
- rebuilder 7y ago
  I'm not sure that's the only explanation. Maybe the goals and mindset of currently active terrorist organisations haven't been compatible with drone usage. For example, does not having martyrs fit in with the traditional narrative of Islamic terrorism? Was drone warfare really an option before ISIL?
  - londons_explore 7y ago
    Most small groups attacking a big powerful nation state seem to have "hearts and minds" as the goal. Destroying an oil refinery doesn't really achieve that goal.
    - rebuilder 7y ago
      That's what I'm saying. This doesn't really seem like a terrorist operation, it seems like a military operation.
      - kingofpandora 7y ago
        That's because it is a military operation. Naturally opponents of the Houthis will call them terrorists because that's what nations do these days to delegitimize their adversaries.
zaroth 7y ago
There was a front page article yesterday about how easy it is to spoof and/or jam GPS. These oilfields have been a prime target for attacks like this for over a decade. I doubt this is a case of a simple hobbyist level project. The drones would have needed serious firepower combined with advanced guidance systems that could keep a target visually and/or with purely inertial sensors, and would likely have to operate entirely autonomously.