Posted on 07/31/2012 9:39:38 AM PDT by Hojczyk
PATUXENT RIVER, Md. - Remember the ‘UFO' that motorists spotted along D.C. highways back in June?
The saucer-shaped object caused a stir in the area prompting many to call 911 and to post photos on Twitter.
We later learned the mysterious object was an experimental, unmanned aircraft called an X-47B.
The aircraft was delivered to the Patuxent Naval Air Station for testing and on Tuesday FOX 5 got its first close-up look at the drone.
According to Northrop Grumman, the saucer-like shape of the aircraft is a deliberate effort to make it harder to detect.
Remotely-piloted aircraft like the X-47B can be used for surveillance or can carry weapons.
We’re bringing the war BACK HOME!
Beserkers maybe...but there is a little Bozo is all of us.
I don’t have a problem with that either. I’ve actually supported putting troops on our border with Mexico. This would merely be a spotter service. However, if they spotted cartel members with heavy weapons and drugs, I would support hostile action.
From the postman
to the milkman
white with foam!
Embarassing how many people have been suckered into the MSM-generated "drone" paranoia.
The US military has been testing, training on, and practicing with manned military aircraft in the US for 100 years. I don't understand why it's suddenly a cause for mass panic when they are unmanned.
Where are you from, boy?
Nairobi, Ma’am. Isn’t everybody?
If we're going to do that, we need to give them the tools necessary to be effective (including, as you say, UAS for spotting). At various times we have had coastal artillery, anti-aircraft guns in cities, anti-aircraft missiles around infrastructure ... as long as the militarization is aimed at protecting against foreign invaders, it's well within the limits of what fed.gov should be doing.
Hey man! He broke the president!
For me it’s the same as having F-15s roaming around the country looking for trouble. If there is a verifiable threat, then of course they should be up there. Otherwise no.
Training is one thing. Doing work for the EPA or some other government agency over our interior, no.
There’s also the issue of privacy. The government shouldn’t be flying over our citizen’s property spying on them.
If there is a court order due to reasoned concern about a physical threat, then of course there is valid reason to use drones. On general principle though, I do not approve of these drones being able to fly anywhere they want any time they want.
The government has reasonable areas they declare off limits.
My property under normal circumstances is reasonably off limits to them.
Also the infrastructure that supports, assesses, and analyzes experimental aircraft is in the US; it’s much cheaper to test this aircraft at Pax River than fly it and everyone involved to Timbuctu or the South Pole or wherever the drone-phobics think it is acceptable to operate unmanned aircraft.
Exactly right. Thanks.
unmanned so they still had to paint a windshield on it. LOL
Testing over DC?
regnaD kciN
Nairobi, Ma’am. Isn’t everybody?
Oh, man, that's wild now! You BIRTHER! lol
Those guys were prophetic.
I saw one of those “weather balloons” the other day. I’ve never seen a stealth bomber in flight before and I was surprised at how loud it was.
Actually it's: "Bright light in sky slated to appear in east, sonic boom scares minority group in Sector R and there's hamburger all over the highway in Mystic, Connecticut."
I'll take your word for it - I've only got it on vinyl and no longer own a turntable! lol
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.