Posted on 01/02/2011 7:47:39 AM PST by Libloather
With Air Force's new drone, 'we can see everything'
By Ellen Nakashima and Craig Whitlock
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, January 2, 2011; 12:09 AM
In ancient times, Gorgon was a mythical Greek creature whose unblinking eyes turned to stone those who beheld them. In modern times, Gorgon may be one of the military's most valuable new tools.
This winter, the Air Force is set to deploy to Afghanistan what it says is a revolutionary airborne surveillance system called Gorgon Stare, which will be able to transmit live video images of physical movement across an entire town.
The system, made up of nine video cameras mounted on a remotely piloted aircraft, can transmit live images to soldiers on the ground or to analysts tracking enemy movements. It can send up to 65 different images to different users; by contrast, Air Force drones today shoot video from a single camera over a "soda straw" area the size of a building or two.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
The only way that I can see us maintaining individual liberty is to drastically reduce the number of laws and regulations now extant in the Nanny State. Otherwise, this sort of capability will make it possible for the powers that be to intimidate, harass, and punish anyone who opposes them. There are so many laws and regulations now available for potential abuse, that no one can be sure that they cannot be prosecuted. Most people like break the law, whether they intend to or not, several times a week.
“most people like” should be “most people likely”
One of those things that makes me go "Hmmmmm...?" How does that work mathematically? Sixty-five divided by nine is fractional. Some things I read make me scratch my head...
“Did you really think we want those laws observed?” said Dr. Ferris. “We want them to be broken. You’d better get it straight that it’s not a bunch of boy scouts you’re up against... We’re after power and we mean it... There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What’s there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced or objectively interpreted – and you create a nation of law-breakers – and then you cash in on guilt. Now that’s the system, Mr. Reardon, that’s the game, and once you understand it, you’ll be much easier to deal with.” (’Atlas Shrugged’ 1957)
Ahem.
Nice videos!
Thanks for sharing! 8^)
I thought you were going "valley" on us.
Probably a range of camera capabilities, with one being a high-resolution (or low resolution, wide-field) single image, eight cameras being 2x4 - just to pick a combination that totals 65, not to say that’s the combination.
Will the bad guys turn to stone? Any chance Jeff Lynne will be a remote pilot?
Seriously, though.....sounds great. I get a kick out of the names they give these projects. Have Blue is one of my all time favorites.
I guess we won't be using THAT on the Mexican boarder.
Will the bad guys turn to stone? Any chance Jeff Lynne will be a remote pilot?
Seriously, though.....sounds great. I get a kick out of the names they give these projects. Have Blue is one of my all time favorites.
Ok, please explain the meaning of Have Blue for we obtuse types... ;-)
It was the predecessor of what eventually became the F-117. That was the project’s name when they were investigating the possibility of stealth aircraft back in the 70s. Don’t know how they arrived at that name, but I always found it interesting.
I tend to agree this capability is ripe for abuse by a ever increasing police state. People are already becoming fearful to carry out many normal movements, for fear of a watchful eye second guessing their motives based on the possibility of completely random, circumstantial evidence may make them a suspect.
All in the name of protecting us from terrorists right?
This government protection racket is nothing less than mafia style extortion and intimidation on the personal constitutional liberties we are supposed to have. I do not want civilian capability of such a system over America.
Sir: Have you ever heard of a system called Multiplexing? The B747s that I worked on at Pan Am first to fly moby dick had sound, movie channel, volume and flight attendant call all on the same 4 wires....that’s how it is done or to make it really basic multiple signals are sent on different frequencies and that’s how it basically works..........
Now, if they meant that nine cameras are sending 65 pictures EACH that would be different.
I am one of those "words mean things" and a stickler for the English language. The sentence doesn't make sense.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.