Pentagon Seeks Money for Unmanned Drones

AP via SFGate ^ | 2/5/8 | LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer

[SmithL]

When a missile fired from a U.S. Predator killed a top al-Qaida leader last week it underscored the warfighting power of unmanned aircraft, which are being considered for even greater use in Afghanistan and would consume at least $3.4 billion in the Pentagon's 2009 proposed budget.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates will be traveling to a meeting of NATO defense ministers this week to discuss military needs in Afghanistan, which include more such eyes-in-the sky. And Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said Tuesday that the demand for intelligence-gathering aircraft there, as well as in Iraq, "has never been higher."

According to military officials and budget documents, the Pentagon's spending proposal would buy more of the larger, costlier and deadlier Air Force Predators and Reapers than in the current budget year. The hunter-killer drones are armed with missiles and can also rapidly relay photos and video to troops on the ground.

Early last week, Abu Laith al-Libi — a key al-Qaida leader — was killed when a Predator fired on a suspected terrorist safehouse in Pakistan's north Waziristan region. Predators, which are used by the Air Force and the CIA, are armed with Hellfire anti-tank missiles. Officials have not confirmed whose Predator struck al-Libi, although all signs point to the CIA.

Overall, the Defense Department is asking for $2.6 billion in its base budget for a variety of drones for the Air Force, Army and Marines. Also, the Navy is looking for at least $800 million for continuing research and development, particularly regarding drones that can take off and land vertically from its ships.

The Pentagon also has a pending request for $460 million in emergency war funding for unmanned aircraft that has yet to be approved by Congress. . . .

[patton]

(+)

[Wiseghy]

The software on these is improving very rapidly, as are the data connections and camera resolution. These things are quietly changing warfare and air power over the battlefield. Mid-size helicopters and hovercraft are next.

Together with the ground based eyes of SOF, a handful of folks can bring great destruction upon the enemy, at very little economic, human or military cost.

This was hardly the outcome that Osama had hoped for when he took on the US, expecting it to collapse itself economically in fighting guerilla wars.

[Rudder]

In Clinton’s military, the Fighter Pilots Union (FPU) would lodge a grievance.

[r9etb]

When a missile fired from a U.S. Predator killed a top al-Qaida leader last week it underscored the warfighting power of unmanned aircraft

Actually, it underscored a lot of things, not least of which was the incredible leverage we've been able to gain through integration of our various military technologies. I mean, look at all of the things that had to work together for that to take place!

And (on the down side) it also suggests a set of prime targets for our more capable potential military adversaries.

[GAB-1955]

I can’t remember when—I think it was in the early 1970s, when I was buying Analog on a regular basis—but I recall a story in which a guerrilla movement similar to the Viet Cong was being systematically attacked by an automated drone. The AI in the drone shot at the first two people firing at it, which usually were the platoon leadership. The invasion collapsed.

I think we have an advantage in these drone, but we cannot keep this advantage forever. Someone else will come up with them and American forces might face missile fire from a UAV.

[Moonman62]

This was hardly the outcome that Osama had hoped for when he took on the US, expecting it to collapse itself economically in fighting guerilla wars.

I think he's always counted on the Democrats to win the war for him. I think he still has hope.

[Nuc1]

Will replace virtually all manned combat aircraft. Incredible G-load capability. Except these days be shortened no man will survive.

[GreenHornet]

Pentagon Seeks Money for Unmanned Drones

Why would the Pentagon be seeking money for Rosie O'Donnell?

[Wiseghy]

“I think it was in the early 1970s, when I was buying Analog on a regular basis—but I recall a story in which a guerrilla movement similar to the Viet Cong was being systematically attacked by an automated drone. The AI in the drone shot at the first two people firing at it, which usually were the platoon leadership. The invasion collapsed”

I love military Sci-fi. I have found very little that is worthwhile however. I put it to the group to identify this story from Analog, or alternatively, some good sources for contemporary military sci-fi.

I believe one of the main advances that allowed this technology to work was digital spread-spectrum radio, which is much, much harder to jam. Also, it is near impossible to jam when it is run through broad-band satallite. The infastructure required to both use it or defeat it may give the US the edge for awhile.

[mamelukesabre]

I see the eventual outcome of this being each human foot soldier as equivalent to a captain, or higher, commanding a large number of robots...bipeds, quadrupeds, and flyers.

[DCBryan1]

No comment. (click handle)

[Travis McGee]

PING

[patton]

You need to take most of that off your page - people stalk freepers.

[DCBryan1]

LOL...been there done that. We’ve chased crazies before. Most of them are ex-girlfriends. I have a LRPD cop roomate, a FLEO roomate, and we work all different hours, not to mention the czech shephard in the back yard (indoor secured by cats). All the LRPD guys in the precinct stop by and go 10-8 at our place when I’m at work and before roomate no 1 goes on shift. I guess they have to get their XBOX fix sometime during the day.