defence
Random Stuff
8 Inflatable Military Decoys
7:20AM Sean Fallon | The life-size inflatable jumbo jet was impressive, but the military has been doing this sort of thing forever. As proof, check out OObject’s list of eight military-grade spy camera fake-outs. [OObject] More »
Peripherals
The Pentagon Bans USB Flash Drives: Will There Be a Floppy Disk Comeback?
7:30AM Gizmodo US Edition | AP reports that the Department of Defence has, at least for the time being, banned USB flash drives and is collecting all Pentagon-owned drives from the entire department. The Pentagon hasn’t issued an official statement, but a spokesman did say that they are dealing with a “global virus” that affects such external storage. Apparently, Department of Defence lackeys are being told that they may not get their drives back, and no information has been given regarding the length of the ban. A list of items now banned from the Pentagon after the jump. More »
Robots
The Future is Coming to a Robot Near You (Or Behind, Rather)
10:45AM Gizmodo US Edition | The Pentagon and the Department of Defence has recently put in a request to contractors for a multi-robot pursuit system to search and track down “non-cooperative humans.” The military is worried that controlling robots will take time away from defence officials so creating a pack-hunting AI that will do it automatically will be useful. Once the system is perfected, government officials expect it to become autonomous and armed. Maybe next time, you’ll think twice about littering or about to make a “California” stop. That’s exactly what this economy needs anyways: a good use of taxpayers’ dollars to replace more jobs. [New Scientist] More »
Gadgets
DARPA Documents Reveal Plans For Advanced Video Spying Tech
12:45PM Gizmodo US Edition | Real-time videos that detect the most minute movements in enemy battle areas and advanced analytical systems that will efficiently sift through them are all in the works, according to DARPA documents. A $US6.7 million contract with software company Kitware revealed a DARPA project focused on rapidly indexing archived aerial surveillance. It also gave a taste of the technology our military already uses, and it sounds like something out of the Bourne Identity. More »
Weapons
Military Arming Shadow Drones, Could Give Novice Teen Pilots the Power to Kill
6:50AM Sean Fallon | Today, only seasoned, rated pilots are allowed to step behind the controls of an armed Predator or Reaper drone. However, the Defence Department is planning to change all that by fitting their low-flying Shadow counterparts with precision weapons. Currently Shadow drones function primarily as an intelligence asset—hunting down and collecting information on potential targets. They are also much lighter, smaller and cheaper than Predators or Reapers—which is why the Air Force felt comfortable allowing the most junior officers to pilot missions. More »
Vehicles
Scientists Plan to Decimate Our Enemies With Dinosaurs
4:15AM Sean Fallon | It is no secret that there has been a major shift towards UAVs for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. With big contracts on the line, researchers are scrambling to come up with the next big breakthrough in unmanned military technology. One group of researchers believes that the “next big thing” could be a dinosaur (or “flying reptile” if you want to be all accurate about it) that existed 115 million years ago. These scientists are attempting to create a UAV that mimics the physical and biological characteristics of the prehistoric pterodactyl. The “Pterodrone” will be capable of flying, walking and sailing just like the flesh and blood original. More »
Vehicles
Navy ‘Batman Boat’ Has Drug Runners Thinking They’re Being Chased By UFOs
7:40AM Sean Fallon | The Navy’s 80-foot $US6 million “Stiletto” with its Batman-esque twin m-shaped hull has been floating around as a prototype project for several years now, but it has suffered from budget cuts in the Defence Department. However, it appears that the Stiletto is starting to see some action in the war against drugs. Recently a group of drug runners in Florida tried to elude one by sailing near reefs and sandbars at 42 knots and skimming over water less than 1.5m deep. But the Stiletto kept on coming. After a two-hour chase, the drug boat finally ran out of gas and the passengers were apprehended. They told authorities that it was like being chased by a UFO. A UFO boat, huh? These guys were so f’ing high. More »
Games
The Pentagon Preps for World of Warcraft Invasion (No, Seriously)
4:20AM Mark Wilson | Terrorism. It could be all around you. It could be in the air you breathe, the food you eat, the loved one you kiss goodnight and even the MMO you play. Yes, friends, according to a recent presentation by Dr. Dwight Toavs, professor at the Pentagon’s National Defence University, virtual worlds could easily hide a real terrorist plot. And to illustrate his point, Toavs supplied this example screen from World of Warcraft. It looks innocent enough, just documenting a good old dragon fire spell on the south gates of the Keep. Unless…wait…what could they really be referring to? More »
Weapons
Northrop Grumman Death Star Lasers Are Weapons-Grade, Could Be Out in 2008
10:40AM Adrian Covert | Wired’s Danger Room blog is spot on in comparing Northrop Grumman’s upcoming solid state laser system to the Death Star. Promised to arrive before the end of 2008, and far earlier than Boeing’s 25kW laser, it’s supposed to have 100 kilowatts of power (SERIOUS pew pew action) and make use of multiple, less powerful lasers to form one giant one (see also: Voltron). More »
Weapons
