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Dragon Eye Protects Troops, Improves Recon
Defend America News ^ | Nov 4, 2005 | Sgt. Robert M. Storm

Posted on 11/04/2005 3:46:48 PM PST by SandRat

Dragon Eye Protects Troops, Improves Recon
The easily-transportable unmanned aerial vehicle gives troops up-to-date
reconnaissance over a wide area of terrain.
By U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Robert M. Storm
JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Nov. 4, 2005 — U.S. Marines and sailors from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, use the Dragon Eye to minimize friendly casualties and maximize surveillance during missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The Dragon Eye is the smallest functioning unmanned aerial vehicle.
"The Dragon Eye is a good tool if used properly. It's excellent for short range reconnaissance and can easily be taken on a patrol to further increase a squads abilities. It's great for taking a picture of suspected improvised explosive devices found on roads."
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Henry M. White Jr.

"The Dragon Eye is a good tool if used properly. It's excellent for short range reconnaissance and can easily be taken on a patrol to further increase a squads abilities," said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Henry M. White Jr., infantryman, from Grady, Ark. "It's great for taking a picture of suspected improvised explosive devices found on roads."

The Dragon Eye is basically a small remote controlled airplane with two real-time video cameras. The Dragon Eye gives the Marines and sailors a tool that allows them to see farther over rough terrain, fits in a backpack and is easy to carry with them. Marines and sailors in enemy territory can face danger from unexpected directions, but with the Dragon Eye they can easily launch a system that will give them up-to-date reconnaissance over a vast area giving them a distinct advantage.

"I can get more intelligence in five minutes than a squad of Marines can get in two hours," said U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Joshua L. Britner, mortarman, from Freemont, Ohio. "It's also a lot safer than sending a squad. During testing of the Dragon Eye they had an entire company shoot at it in flight for two days; it only took four hits and was never shot down."

The Dragon Eye is designed to be taken apart and be carried by individual Marines. It is capable of independent flight and made of fiberglass and Kevlar. It breaks down for easy transport.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Richard Derby launches a Dragon Eye over the mountains of Afghanistan. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Rich Mattingly (file photo)

It has two fixed cameras for both forward and side angles and can take video in black and white, color, and infrared for night-time operations.

The battery provides up to 60 minutes of flight time at 35 mph, and the aircraft has a flight weight of roughly five pounds. The Dragon Eye is made primarily with commercial, off-the-shelf materials, so even if destroyed by enemy fire it is easily replaceable.

The Dragon Eye's size and ease of use allows great flexibility when planning missions.

"We can launch it into the air with a bungee cord in under 10 minutes after being told," said Britner. "The Dragon Eye can be used for other types of missions besides reconnaissance, since the eye can give its precise coordinate, you can call for indirect mortar or artillery fire on a location."



TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; dragon; dragoneye; eye; improves; marine; miltech; oef; protects; recon; troops; uav

1 posted on 11/04/2005 3:46:49 PM PST by SandRat
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To: 2LT Radix jr; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 80 Square Miles; A Ruckus of Dogs; acad1228; AirForceMom; ..

MINI-UAV and Marine PING


2 posted on 11/04/2005 3:47:15 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: Samwise

RC ping


3 posted on 11/04/2005 3:50:09 PM PST by Professional Engineer (The nuclear option has been activated.)
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To: SandRat
I would like to know what cameras and transmitters this thing carries, and how much that part of the package costs. I suspect many thousands.

It also looks like it uses two electric motors, and a battery to power them for an hour?
A few thousand more.

I know a few civilians who would give their eyeteeth to be able to fly one.

4 posted on 11/04/2005 4:11:25 PM PST by Publius6961 (Liberal level playing field: If the Islamics win we are their slaves..if we win they are our equals.)
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To: Publius6961
I can get the cameras and transmitters for under $300, and a battery capable of keeping it aloft for an hour for under $100. Battery technology for RCs has gotten really good.

/john

5 posted on 11/04/2005 4:26:51 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (D@mit! I'm just a cook. Don't make me come over there and prove it!)
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To: Professional Engineer; alfa6

Bookmarking for hubby and alfa6.

Thanks, PE.


6 posted on 11/04/2005 5:41:46 PM PST by Samwise (The media is "stuck on stupid.")
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To: SandRat

BTTT


7 posted on 11/05/2005 3:12:21 AM PST by E.G.C.
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