Super sophisticated drone harasses Tucson helicopters

 https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42021/radio-transmissions-from-police-helicopters-chase-of-bizarre-craft-over-tucson-add-to-mystery?utm_source=digg

 

PILOT OF TROY164 (AS50) REPORTED A NMAC ON FREQ 118.3. REPORTED UNKNOWN UAS LESS THAN 100 FEET, 12 O'CLOCK. HAD TO DESCEND IMMEDIATELY AND TURN TO AVOID. MADE 360'S TO LOCATE THE DRONE. DID LOCATE THE DRONE ABOVE HIM AND TRACKED IT UNTIL AIRE 2 ARRIVED. DRONE CIRCLED BETWEEN BOTH HELOS AND CLIMBED UP TO AND ABOVE AN ESTIMATED 12000 FEET AND TRAVELED 10 MILES NORTH/NORTHEAST TOWARDS MT. LEMMON. PILOTS UNABLE TO FULLY IDENTIFY TYPE OR COLOR OF DRONE DUE TO NIGHTTIME CONDITIONS AND MANEUVERABILITY OF UAS. ATTEMPTED TO CAPTURE CAMERA FOOTAGE BUT UNABLE, PURSUED FOR OVER 60 MINUTES UNTIL CONTACT LOST IN VICINITY OF MARANA AIRPORT.

An anti-drone drone

 https://www.inceptivemind.com/raytheons-reusable-coyote-interceptor-defeats-drone-swarm-army-test/20271/

 

Derived from the expendable Coyote loitering munition, Block 3 utilizes a non-kinetic warhead to neutralize enemy drones, reducing potential collateral damage. In addition to proving the Coyote’s anti-swarm capabilities, the recent demonstration also proved that the non-kinetic variants could be recovered, refurbished, and reused without leaving the battlefield.

 

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I don't want to dwell on military uses of drones, but a defense of bad use of drones is important, and this looks good.

laser shoots down a drone

 https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/research/a36831660/watch-cessna-shoot-down-drone-with-laser/

 

An intriguing new video from an Israeli defense contractor shows its flying laser beam torching simulated enemy drones.

The drones are designed to replicate the weapons that adversaries like Hamas and Hezbollah use to attack Israeli targets on the ground. Israel wants to eventually shift its anti-rocket and anti-drone defenses, like the Iron Dome, to lasers, which are cheaper and can fire more often than guided missiles. 

 

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the back-and-forth continues...

 

US military debuts drone killer

 https://www.yahoo.com/news/air-force-weapon-hundreds-drones-130000477.html

 

When THOR identifies a target, it shoots a beam of microwaves in less than a second, providing an instant effect on the drones.

The system is different from a laser, which shoots a beam capable of destroying one drone, according to the Air Force. Instead, THOR’s utilization of high-powered microwaves allows it to scuttle swarms of unmanned aerial systems.

“THOR completely stows in a 20-foot shipping container which can easily be transported in a C-130. The system can be set up by as few as two people within three hours and operates from ground power,” according to the video’s narration.

 

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The constant battle between bad guys using a good thing and the defense against that.

 

autonomous drone picks and attacks target

 https://www.businessinsider.com/killer-drone-hunted-down-human-target-without-being-told-un-2021-5

 

The Turkish-built KARGU-2, a deadly attack drone designed for asymmetric warfare and anti-terrorist operations, targeted one of Haftar's soldiers while he tried to retreat, according to the paper.

The drone, which can be directed to detonate on impact, was operating in a "highly effective" autonomous mode that required no human controller, the New York Post said.

 

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I wouldn't want to be a soldier in the next war.  There will be no hiding behind walls and feeling safe.

Israeli drone drops tear gas

 https://youtu.be/0DFJ9kFpSBE

 

Drones can be used for lots of things.  Some good and some bad. 

Palestinians respond with fireworks...

https://youtu.be/dDFezmwmWgo

Where does this end? Weaponising quadcopters

 https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/turkish-firm-develops-mini-rocket-for-small-and-micro-uavs

 

The 170 millimeters long mini ammunition is launched from the 550-millimeter shooter tube. The weight of the rocket corresponds to 500 grams (17 ounces) with a disposable shooter tube. Up to six rockets can be integrated into a mini-UAV.

The mini rocket has a maximum range of 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) and operates with an effective range of 100-500 meters (328-1,640 feet). The antipersonnel warhead with a smart plug is effective within a radius of 12 meters. The armor-piercing warhead penetration capability corresponds to the STANAG 4569 Level 2.

 

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 Every good thing also gets turned into a bad thing.  Like the Internet.  Kind of a bummer but that seems to be human nature.