Military's use of unmanned drones soars in Iraq

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Houston Chronicle/ Associated Press

Jan. 1, 2008, 1:20PM
Military's use of unmanned drones soars in Iraq

By LOLITA C. BALDOR
Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The military's reliance on unmanned aircraft that can watch, hunt and sometimes kill insurgents has soared to more than 500,000 hours in the air, largely in Iraq, The Associated Press has learned.

And new Defense Department figures obtained by The AP show that the Air Force more than doubled its monthly use of drones between January and October, forcing it to take pilots out of the air and shift them to remote flying duty to meet part of the demand.

The dramatic increase in the development and use of drones across the armed services reflects what will be an even more aggressive effort over the next 25 years, according to the new report.

The jump in Iraq coincided with the build up of U.S. forces this summer as the military swelled its ranks to quell the violence in Baghdad. But Pentagon officials said that even as troops begin to slowly come home this year, the use of Predators, Global Hawks, Shadows and Ravens will not likely slow.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/nation/5416528.html

[humbled_opinion]

1. Oh goodie lets leave the drones and bring the troops home...

:bounce:

[panader0]

2. Drones are a big deal at Fort Huachuca here in Sierra Vista.

It's a huge program, and although I can't name the kinds, there are several types of drones here and a "pilot" training program. A couple of years ago, one got off course and ended up 300 miles away in the Gulf of California.

[ConcernedCanuk]

3. I've had a feeling for sometime that Iraq is a testing ground

.
.
.

for weapons that they(PNACers) couldn't test on US soil

The depleted uranium as a form of continuing genocide

The bunker busters of "shock and awe"

The global targeting system from their subs, air bombers and warships that bombarded Baghdad from thousands of miles away

And more I'm sure I don't know about

And of course, in the meantime establishing another "front" where they can keep forces available for an affront on the rest of Asia.

The "Home of the Brave" has turned into a country of malicious invaders that would make the Vikings blush

[LynnTheDem]

4. WE FOUND 'EM!!! We found them wmd unmanned drones bush lied about!!!

What can even be said any more.

[stillcool]

5. Pretty smart unmanned drones...

that only kill insurgents.

[jody]

6. Behind the headline is a major fight over which service if any will be prime for remote controlled

aircraft.

See for example Air Force, Army clash again on unmanned aerial vehicles

[Kolesar]

7. This technology will make Air Force bombers obsolete

... when taken to their ultimate development.

[alfredo]

8. Their weapon is a joystick and a monitor.

They've come a long way.

From this


to this



Both designed to kill without having to hear the screams, see the gore, smell the corpses.

[jody]

10. You should know pilots never "hear the screams, see the gore, smell the corpses". n/t

[alfredo]

11. I know, but removing the operator from line of fire, turning him

into a video game player makes killing easier. It's the detachment from the killing, physically and emotionally that disturbs me. There are consequences to killing, no matter how noble the cause.

[jody]

14. I understand. n/t

[alfredo]

15. A person who can kill without feeling is a very dangerous person.

The victims are characters on a screen, black on a grey background. Once the ordinance hits, you can't see them anymore and you move on.

[jody]

9. Perhaps, but as remote piloted vehicles grow in size, there comes a point where the option is to

use remotely piloted vehicles or piloted vehicles.

[Make7]

12. They're probably training the next Ender Wiggin right now. ( n/t )

[Amonester]

13. 1 more step closer to :

The War Criminal$ just attached murdering weapons to them.