The bulletproof dog that stormed bin Laden's lair

[n2doc]

By Elbert Chu

updated 5/18/2011 2:03:17 AM ET

If you see this dog coming for you, run. Thanks to his extensive training — and customized body armor that can cost upward of $30,000 — he's bulletproof, can hear through concrete and can record high-def video of missions, even in the dead of night.

Since the moment it was revealed that the "nation's most courageous dog" (Update: named "Cairo") served alongside the 80 Navy SEALs who took out Osama bin Laden, America's fascination with war dogs has hit a fevered pitch. And while the heart-tugging photos of these four-legged heroes are worth a look, so is the high-tech gear that helps them do their job.

Last year, the military spent $86,000 on four tactical vests to outfit Navy SEAL dogs. The SEALs hired Winnipeg, Canada-based contractor K9 Storm to gear up their canine partners, which it has used in battle since World War I. K9 Storm’s flagship product is the $20,000-$30,000 Intruder, an upgradeable version of their doggie armor. The tactical body armor is wired with a collapsible video arm, two-way audio and other attachable gadgets.

"Various special ops units use the vest, including those in current headlines," says Mike Herstik, a consultant with International K-9, who has trained dogs from Israeli bomb-sniffing units to the Navy SEALS. "It is much more than just body armor."

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43068421/ns/technology_and_science-innovation/

[sinkingfeeling]

1. He's not 'bulletproof'. His head and back end are completely exposed.

[begin_within]

2. I object to dogs being used for war.

They should use a robot instead.

[hlthe2b]

4. Robots can't sniff out bombs/explosives... but I too am conflicted

[HERVEPA]

5. Yup. Using animals for this is despicable.

[MineralMan]

7. There is no such robot.

Dogs have worked with humans since they were first domesticated. It is what they were domesticated for. "Unleash the dogs of war" is not a slogan that just emerged recently. The specialized acute senses that dogs have are important in many ways. You should check with the dog to see if it objects to this kind of work. Dogs serve willingly and enthusiastically. They love to work. They're pack animals, and they don't care who the other members of their pack are.

As for war, I wish that no mammals, including human primates, were involved with it. My wishes go unfulfilled, as usual.

[begin_within]

8. None of that justifies it.

And you are being cruelly cynical with your little joke about "checking with the dog to see if it objects" as the dog obviously cannot know the danger or risk it is being forced into.

[hlthe2b]

3. Sadly.. not much is going to help protect a bomb sniffing dog...

if it detonates and it would be hard to argue that any of these systems make them "bullet proof".... That said, I'm glad more attention is being given to protecting these wonderful animals.

[CTyankee]

6. Even the most hardened SEAL would have to take the loss of their dog

very deeply. At least the other SEALs are aware of the risk, but to see a dog that you have trained with get killed or blown up has gotta be difficult...