US Army to fly 'kamikaze' drones

AFP ^ | Oct. 17, 2011

[Free ThinkerNY]

A miniature "kamikaze" drone designed to quietly hover in the sky before dive-bombing and slamming into a human target will soon be part of the US Army's arsenal, officials say.

Dubbed the "Switchblade," the robotic aircraft represents the latest attempt by the United States to refine how it takes out suspected militants.

Weighing less than two kilos, the drone is small enough to fit into a soldier's backpack and is launched from a tube, with wings quickly folding out as it soars into the air, according to manufacturer AeroVironment.

Powered by a small electric motor, the Switchblade transmits video in real time from overhead, allowing a soldier to identify an enemy, the company said in a press release last month.

"Upon confirming the target using the live video feed, the operator then sends a command to the air vehicle to arm it and lock its trajectory onto the target," it said.

The drone then flies into the "target," detonating a small explosive.

[RitaOK]

Things are becoming a tad eerie. God help us.

[Publius6961]

I just hope these disposable drones go for a lot less than $500,000

[LeoWindhorse]

send one after George Soros

[MrEdd]

Golly, give a slow guided missile a new name and suddenly it is all new again.

[CrazyIvan]

I remember a sci fi book years ago about a weapon similar to this. I think the title was”Butcherbird”

[ProtectOurFreedom]

4.4 pounds so very small and hard to see; electric so very quiet, but can’t have a lot of energy storage given the small mass and probably no loitering time. I’m guessing launch and immediately glide to to a nearby target. Controlled glide all the way to the target — doesn’t help one bit to run away. Range of what? 1/2 mile? This thing sounds real nasty.

[Deaf Smith]

I read about those in Fahrenheit 451.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Whatever it takes to make sure our guys make it home.

[stboz]

”Butcherbird”

Focke-Wulf 190.

[Individual Rights in NJ]

Skynet... you know it is only a matter of time.

[death2tyrants]

the drone is small enough to fit into a soldier's backpack

Photo of proposed pilot.

[Deaf Smith]

The drones in Phantasm were cool too...frontal lobotomy with a 0.500 Craftsman bit.

[MikeJ]

Photo available here:
http://defense-update.com/20110902_switchblade.html

[denydenydeny]

I’m still waiting for the Dominator program: Basically a B-2 full of dozens of similar drones dumped over a city, allowing for precision takeouts of dozens of targets in a few minutes.

[Rudder]

The Switchblade, however, is touted as a way to avoid killing bystanders.
"Flying quietly at high speed the Switchblade delivers its onboard explosive payload with precision while minimizing collateral damage,"

Featured on the front cover of Hitman International

[ProtectOurFreedom]

DARPA Project "Anubis"

Aerovironment "Switchblade"

[Jeff Head]

Here's a pic of the aircraft launch and target acquisition and attack.

[Talisker]

A miniature "kamikaze" drone designed to quietly hover in the sky before dive-bombing and slamming into a human target will soon be part of the US Army's arsenal, officials say.

This is the beginning of Hunter-Seeker technology. In a few hundred years, it will look like this.

[Rudder]

Thanks, Mike!