Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: unclewest who wrote (23146)	1/6/2004 7:41:26 AM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793699

An "update" on small drones January 3, 2004: Mini-UAVs are very popular with the American army and marines, as a way for small infantry units to get some aerial reconnaissance where, and when, they want it. But these under ten pound UAVs are also popular with the U.S. Air Force. For all their thousands of aircraft, the air force still needs a way to keep an eye on the perimeters of it's overseas air bases. In particular, the air force wants to spot, and stop, people trying to use portable anti-aircraft missiles against planes landing and taking off. You also want to spot those trying to fire surface-to-surface missiles at the base itself. This danger is especially severe in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. For the last 18 months, the air force base security troops have been using the seven pound Desert Hawk mini-UAV. Battery powered, the Desert Hawk can stay in the air for an hour, flying a route specified by the operator and using onboard GPS and flight software for guidance. The UAV can be equipped with daylight or night (heat imaging) cameras. Everything seen on each flight is recorded to a mini-cassette, and simultaneously transmitted back to the operator, who views the video on a laptop computer. The UAV cruises at about 80 kilometers an hour and at an altitude of 300-500 feet. The UAV can operate up to ten kilometers from its base station. The UAV is launched using a large elastic rope (a bungee cord, basically) and lands by just coming in low and turning off it's motor. The UAV is made of plastic. The operators do not fly the Desert Hawk, but they can change it's flight pattern while it's flying a mission, or command it to just circle a location. An onboard computer handles all the details of flying correctly and not spinning out of control. After one mission, the operator can put in a fresh set of batteries and launch it again. A Desert Hawk "detachment" consists of two sergeants and 520 pounds of waterproof carrying cases containing six UAVs, a laptop computer, communications equipment and a spare parts and repair kit. The UAV, once the parts are snapped together, has a 52 inch wingspan and is 32 inches long. New operators can be trained, on the job, in about a week. With about a dozen personnel, the six UAVs in one detachment can provide 24/7 coverage for a base. The manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, is also selling Desert Hawk to police departments (for stakeouts and general security) and utility companies (for checking pipelines and electrical transmission lines.) strategypage.com

To: unclewest who wrote (23146)	1/6/2004 7:59:54 AM
From: LindyBill	Respond to of 793699

The P90 really looks hot. Expect it to show up soon in action movies. fnmfg.com WEAPONS OF THE WORLD: PDWs Replacing Pistols January 5, 2004: Bye Bye Beretta, Hello PDW? The 9mm pistol cartridge has been in use for over 100 years by militaries and civilian law enforcement, but renewed efforts are underway both in the U.S. and European military establishments to field a replacement round, and a new type of weapon to fire it. The new weapon has been dubbed the Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) by NATO. This spring, the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab at Quantico, Virginia will be holding an evaluation between PDW contenders from FN Herstal and Hecker & Koch (H&K) in order to find a replacement for the "aging" Beretta 9mm pistol. PDWs look like miniature submachine-guns or, in some cases, large pistols. Both NATO and the U.S. military are seeking a more effective pistol round able to penetrate body armor. For non-infantry personnel, especially those traveling in cramped quarters such as aircraft and armored vehicles, the PDW is expected to be a better and more affordable solution than either pistol-caliber submachine guns or folding-stock assault rifles. Infantry soldiers operating in urban environments could also benefit from a compact design. A pistol is desired for cost and political reasons, with a handgun being perceived as less threatening during police and peacekeeping operating. U.S. Special Forces has never been happy with the 9mm's pistol's stopping power, even in the very limited scenarios, such as terrorist hostage rescue, where they can legally use hollow-point ammunition for increased effectiveness. SOCOM went back to the .45 round (perhaps legitimized is a better term, since operators were still toting updated versions of the classic M1911s even after the 9mm came into regular Army service in the mid-80s) with the HK Mark23 Mod 0 SOCOM "offensive" handgun weapons system. P90,http://www.strategypage.com//fyeo/howtomakewar/default.asp?target=htweap.htm