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say hello to the UAV
Txs
Member Posts: 17,809 ✭✭✭
Same as with any other large scale conflict, we can expect to see civilian applications for equipment used in the current war. For example, helicopters made a huge leap after Vietnam, with FLIR and night vision devices doing the same after Desert Storm.
Expect to see UAV use explode in the US over the next several years. The US military demand for these has been so high that the manufacturers have been scrambling to keep up, but they'll eventually start looking to expand their market. For example, why pay for a helicopter to buzz around a city giving traffic reports when on a daily basis you could just orbit a comparatively inexpensive UAV over each known problem area.
Their uses will range from hazardous area recon for fire departments to eye-in-the-sky views for sporting events.
Of course, this also means that most all law enforcement agencies will be able to afford their own aerial surveillance capability.
Houston And Miami Cops To test Unmanned Aircraft
Houston Chronicle
Police in the Houston and Miami-Dade departments have been chosen by the Federal Aviation Administration to test the use of unmanned aircraft in urban environments, authorities said.
The two police forces will help the FAA set flight guidelines and training needs during the testing period, which is expected to end in June.
"At this point, the project is strictly on a research level," said Martha Montalvo, executive assistant chief of Houston police.
Houston police officials have considered using remote-controlled aircraft for spotting traffic hazards and in search and rescue missions.
The department's helicopter pilots will be assigned to the unmanned aircraft duties.
"Because of their knowledge base, we thought the training curve would be a lot easier," Montalvo said.
Houston police will use aircraft provided by Insitu Inc. of Bingen, Wash., at no cost to the department.
The aircraft can cost from several thousand dollars to more than a million depending on complexity and capabilities, Montalvo said.
Expect to see UAV use explode in the US over the next several years. The US military demand for these has been so high that the manufacturers have been scrambling to keep up, but they'll eventually start looking to expand their market. For example, why pay for a helicopter to buzz around a city giving traffic reports when on a daily basis you could just orbit a comparatively inexpensive UAV over each known problem area.
Their uses will range from hazardous area recon for fire departments to eye-in-the-sky views for sporting events.
Of course, this also means that most all law enforcement agencies will be able to afford their own aerial surveillance capability.
Houston And Miami Cops To test Unmanned Aircraft
Houston Chronicle
Police in the Houston and Miami-Dade departments have been chosen by the Federal Aviation Administration to test the use of unmanned aircraft in urban environments, authorities said.
The two police forces will help the FAA set flight guidelines and training needs during the testing period, which is expected to end in June.
"At this point, the project is strictly on a research level," said Martha Montalvo, executive assistant chief of Houston police.
Houston police officials have considered using remote-controlled aircraft for spotting traffic hazards and in search and rescue missions.
The department's helicopter pilots will be assigned to the unmanned aircraft duties.
"Because of their knowledge base, we thought the training curve would be a lot easier," Montalvo said.
Houston police will use aircraft provided by Insitu Inc. of Bingen, Wash., at no cost to the department.
The aircraft can cost from several thousand dollars to more than a million depending on complexity and capabilities, Montalvo said.
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http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=274679
Police in the Houston and Miami-Dade departments have been chosen...
Miami? I wonder how long it'll last before some bozo uses it for target practice.