Spy-in-the-sky drone sets sights on Miami

real6 · 26-03-2008, 01:39 PM

ILL FUCKING BREAK THAT IF I EVER SEE IT OVER MY HEAD!!!

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsO...29797920080326

MIAMI (Reuters) - Miami police could soon be the first in the United States to use cutting-edge, spy-in-the-sky technology to beef up their fight against crime.

A small pilotless drone manufactured by Honeywell International, capable of hovering and "staring" using electro-optic or infrared sensors, is expected to make its debut soon in the skies over the Florida Everglades.

If use of the drone wins Federal Aviation Administration approval after tests, the Miami-Dade Police Department will start flying the 14-pound (6.3 kg) drone over urban areas with an eye toward full-fledged employment in crime fighting.

"Our intentions are to use it only in tactical situations as an extra set of eyes," said police department spokesman Juan Villalba.

"We intend to use this to benefit us in carrying out our mission," he added, saying the wingless Honeywell aircraft, which fits into a backpack and is capable of vertical takeoff and landing, seems ideally suited for use by SWAT teams in hostage situations or dealing with "barricaded subjects."

Miami-Dade police are not alone, however.

Taking their lead from the U.S. military, which has used drones in Iraq and Afghanistan for years, law enforcement agencies across the country have voiced a growing interest in using drones for domestic crime-fighting missions.

Known in the aerospace industry as UAVs, for unmanned aerial vehicles, drones have been under development for decades in the United States.

The CIA acknowledges that it developed a dragonfly-sized UAV known as the "Insectohopter" for laser-guided spy operations as long ago as the 1970s.

And other advanced work on robotic flyers has clearly been under way for quite some time.

"The FBI is experimenting with a variety of unmanned aerial vehicles," said Marcus Thomas, an assistant director of the bureau's Operational Technology Division.

"At this point they have been used mainly for search and rescue missions," he added. "It certainly is an up-and-coming technology and the FBI is researching additional uses for UAVs."

SAFETY, PRIVACY CONCERNS

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been flying drones over the Arizona desert and southwest border with Mexico since 2006 and will soon deploy one in North Dakota to patrol the Canadian border as well.

This month, Customs and Border Protection spokesman Juan Munoz Torres said the agency would also begin test flights of a modified version of its large Predator B drones, built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, over the Gulf of Mexico.

Citing numerous safety concerns, the FAA -- the government agency responsible for regulating civil aviation -- has been slow in developing procedures for the use of UAVs by police departments.

"You don't want one of these coming down on grandma's windshield when she's on her way to the grocery store," said Doug Davis, the FAA's program manager for unmanned aerial systems.

He acknowledged strong interest from law enforcement agencies in getting UAVs up and running, however, and said the smaller aircraft particularly were likely to have a "huge economic impact" over the next 10 years.

Getting clearance for police and other civilian agencies to fly can't come soon enough for Billy Robinson, chief executive of Cyber Defense Systems Inc, a small start-up company in St. Petersburg, Florida. His company makes an 8-pound (3.6 kg) kite-sized UAV that was flown for a time by police in Palm Bay, Florida, and in other towns, before the FAA stepped in.

"We've had interest from dozens of law enforcement agencies," said Robinson. "They (the FAA) are preventing a bunch of small companies such as ours from becoming profitable," he said.

Some privacy advocates, however, say rules and ordinances need to be drafted to protect civil liberties during surveillance operations.

"There's been controversies all around about putting up surveillance cameras in public areas," said Howard Simon, Florida director of the American Civil Liberties Union.

"Technological developments can be used by law enforcement in a way that enhances public safety," he said. "But every enhanced technology also contains a threat of further erosion of privacy."

cycles of time · 26-03-2008, 05:04 PM

and that right there is a UFO

gordonfreeman · 26-03-2008, 07:23 PM

If that drone is near my apartment. I will shoot it down with my rocket launcher.

rynath · 26-03-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cycles of time

and that right there is a UFO

I was thinking the same thing...unless you're close enough to notice the stickers and man made looking parts. If it's higher up it would be tough to tell. They're just asking for these things to get shot at...even a kid with a pellet gun could give it a go.

real6 · 10-10-2008, 10:37 PM

bump

ownedtbh · 10-10-2008, 11:27 PM

reminds me of the scan drones that used to fly around pissing ya off taking pictures of you from half life 2

jesus that game is starting to look like real life

tom bombadil · 10-10-2008, 11:43 PM

Try looking at what they are looking at before you bring it down with a ball bearing and elastic.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29816

You can listen in too.

Tom.

tom bombadil · 10-10-2008, 11:49 PM

http://www.dkimages.com/discover/pre...752/192699.JPG

http://www.play.net/images/weapons/bolas.jpg

http://www.play.net/images/weapons/grappling_net.jpg

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/figures/fig12-7.gif

Even better.

Tom.

mikethepunk · 11-10-2008, 12:26 AM

This is something totally out of Star Wars and the Empire Strikes Back. Reminds me of those empire droids running around Tatouine(sp?) looking for R2D2 and C3PO, etc.

Interesting Scary Stuff.

disorder2k8 · 11-10-2008, 12:56 AM

Wait a minute, this looks like the same shape as in the 'flying humanoid' shots, i bet its the same thing

darketernal · 11-10-2008, 01:08 AM

I think with a .300 win mag you could easily drop that thing at a good distance away without it getting you on film.

arleen3 · 11-10-2008, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ownedtbh

reminds me of the scan drones that used to fly around pissing ya off taking pictures of you from half life 2

jesus that game is starting to look like real life

Lol the same thing I thought too. I keep telling my husband to pay attention to everything that happens on that game because I felt it might have some hidden messages.

dangermouse · 11-10-2008, 05:25 AM

wake up and smell the ashes

poohkits · 11-10-2008, 09:19 AM

If you think those things are bad wait till you take a look at these babies !!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...,7757745.story

freedomnonfighter · 11-10-2008, 09:54 AM

I can restrain myself from breaking all the cctv cameras around here on the streets and whatnot; but this .. no. It's game over if I ever catch a glimpse of one of those things.

tom bombadil · 11-10-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darketernal

I think with a .300 win mag you could easily drop that thing at a good distance away without it getting you on film.

I agree darketernal. But most chaps in the uk dont carry firearms

This is a shame me thinks, but hey-ho.

I will be making a bolas soon, from Surgical elastic, tied around my waist as a belt. And some ball and chain configuration, found in a 'goth'shop. I can get away with this as a leathal weapon on my way to work.

Tom.

tom bombadil · 11-10-2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freedomnonfighter

I can restrain myself from breaking all the cctv cameras around here on the streets and whatnot; but this .. no. It's game over if I ever catch a glimpse of one of those things.

I have just had an idea. Have a paint ball and ammo and fire at the cameras that way. Dont get caught on camera though.

No No, honestly. I retract that last statement

Really guys, this is not an anarchy site for those that want to do something about a particular issue, and I am not telling you to, and I quote "Have a paint ball and ammo and fire at the cameras that way." This would be just reckless. I mean...to "Have a paint ball and ammo and fire at the cameras that way." is not nice on mr PTB, now is it?

No....I might use a marshmallow, soaked in paint (dont forget the desposable gloves guys), and flicked up at the lense that way.....Not!

Hey-ho

Tom....Hmmm, I think that my little sister got to use the keyboard then.

flareplayer · 11-10-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohkits

If you think those things are bad wait till you take a look at these babies !!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...,7757745.story

These would make great toys. Where can I get one? It would take paintballing to another level. Are they available in Argos?

mushroombot · 11-10-2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ownedtbh

reminds me of the scan drones that used to fly around pissing ya off taking pictures of you from half life 2

jesus that game is starting to look like real life

Spent many hours playing hl2, I thought pretty much the same as you. The number of those things I took out in game makes me wish I had a decent shot gun. If I spotted any flying outside my window they'd have it!

tom bombadil · 11-10-2008, 10:49 AM

I would be more inclined to find out what they are doing.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29816

I wonder if this unit can when modified, send out a blocking signal? After you find out what frequency it is on, a more powerfull sender on your belt could do the job, as the tiny unit can only give out a weak signal, and your own will block it out. When it moves out too far for me to effect it, then the image on the units ccd would not be clear enough for a court case.

I dont do bad stuff, but I dont want them to know what I am doing.

Tom.

26-03-2008, 01:39 PM	#1
real6 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: From The Rotten Apple. Now Scandinavia Posts: 9,487	Spy-in-the-sky drone sets sights on Miami ILL FUCKING BREAK THAT IF I EVER SEE IT OVER MY HEAD!!! http://www.reuters.com/article/newsO...29797920080326 MIAMI (Reuters) - Miami police could soon be the first in the United States to use cutting-edge, spy-in-the-sky technology to beef up their fight against crime. A small pilotless drone manufactured by Honeywell International, capable of hovering and "staring" using electro-optic or infrared sensors, is expected to make its debut soon in the skies over the Florida Everglades. If use of the drone wins Federal Aviation Administration approval after tests, the Miami-Dade Police Department will start flying the 14-pound (6.3 kg) drone over urban areas with an eye toward full-fledged employment in crime fighting. "Our intentions are to use it only in tactical situations as an extra set of eyes," said police department spokesman Juan Villalba. "We intend to use this to benefit us in carrying out our mission," he added, saying the wingless Honeywell aircraft, which fits into a backpack and is capable of vertical takeoff and landing, seems ideally suited for use by SWAT teams in hostage situations or dealing with "barricaded subjects." Miami-Dade police are not alone, however. Taking their lead from the U.S. military, which has used drones in Iraq and Afghanistan for years, law enforcement agencies across the country have voiced a growing interest in using drones for domestic crime-fighting missions. Known in the aerospace industry as UAVs, for unmanned aerial vehicles, drones have been under development for decades in the United States. The CIA acknowledges that it developed a dragonfly-sized UAV known as the "Insectohopter" for laser-guided spy operations as long ago as the 1970s. And other advanced work on robotic flyers has clearly been under way for quite some time. "The FBI is experimenting with a variety of unmanned aerial vehicles," said Marcus Thomas, an assistant director of the bureau's Operational Technology Division. "At this point they have been used mainly for search and rescue missions," he added. "It certainly is an up-and-coming technology and the FBI is researching additional uses for UAVs." SAFETY, PRIVACY CONCERNS U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been flying drones over the Arizona desert and southwest border with Mexico since 2006 and will soon deploy one in North Dakota to patrol the Canadian border as well. This month, Customs and Border Protection spokesman Juan Munoz Torres said the agency would also begin test flights of a modified version of its large Predator B drones, built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, over the Gulf of Mexico. Citing numerous safety concerns, the FAA -- the government agency responsible for regulating civil aviation -- has been slow in developing procedures for the use of UAVs by police departments. "You don't want one of these coming down on grandma's windshield when she's on her way to the grocery store," said Doug Davis, the FAA's program manager for unmanned aerial systems. He acknowledged strong interest from law enforcement agencies in getting UAVs up and running, however, and said the smaller aircraft particularly were likely to have a "huge economic impact" over the next 10 years. Getting clearance for police and other civilian agencies to fly can't come soon enough for Billy Robinson, chief executive of Cyber Defense Systems Inc, a small start-up company in St. Petersburg, Florida. His company makes an 8-pound (3.6 kg) kite-sized UAV that was flown for a time by police in Palm Bay, Florida, and in other towns, before the FAA stepped in. "We've had interest from dozens of law enforcement agencies," said Robinson. "They (the FAA) are preventing a bunch of small companies such as ours from becoming profitable," he said. Some privacy advocates, however, say rules and ordinances need to be drafted to protect civil liberties during surveillance operations. "There's been controversies all around about putting up surveillance cameras in public areas," said Howard Simon, Florida director of the American Civil Liberties Union. "Technological developments can be used by law enforcement in a way that enhances public safety," he said. "But every enhanced technology also contains a threat of further erosion of privacy." __________________ "My father may not approve, but I am no longer his disciple, I am a master now, an idea transcended into life. And so this is my new path, which is a lot like the old one - only mine. To stay on that path I need to work harder, explore new rituals, evolve. Am I evil? Am I good? I'm done asking those questions, I dont have the answers - does anyone?" -Dexter Morgan

10-10-2008, 10:37 PM	#5
real6 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: From The Rotten Apple. Now Scandinavia Posts: 9,487	bump __________________ "My father may not approve, but I am no longer his disciple, I am a master now, an idea transcended into life. And so this is my new path, which is a lot like the old one - only mine. To stay on that path I need to work harder, explore new rituals, evolve. Am I evil? Am I good? I'm done asking those questions, I dont have the answers - does anyone?" -Dexter Morgan

10-10-2008, 11:27 PM	#6
ownedtbh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Liverpool Posts: 716	reminds me of the scan drones that used to fly around pissing ya off taking pictures of you from half life 2 jesus that game is starting to look like real life Last edited by ownedtbh; 10-10-2008 at 11:28 PM.

11-10-2008, 12:26 AM	#9
mikethepunk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: seattle Posts: 1,798	This is something totally out of Star Wars and the Empire Strikes Back. Reminds me of those empire droids running around Tatouine(sp?) looking for R2D2 and C3PO, etc. Interesting Scary Stuff. __________________ My Online Radio show you need to listen too: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/frontlinepunk Research the prophesy of George Washington. Real love is never ending. Adam is still in love with Eve.

11-10-2008, 05:25 AM	#13
dangermouse Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Cork, Ireland Posts: 4,031	wake up and smell the ashes __________________ They don't just hope for our ignorance, they depend on it... it's time to break that cycle!

26-03-2008, 05:04 PM	#2
cycles of time Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NEW YORK CITY Posts: 603	and that right there is a UFO

26-03-2008, 07:23 PM	#3
gordonfreeman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 904	If that drone is near my apartment. I will shoot it down with my rocket launcher.

10-10-2008, 11:43 PM	#7
tom bombadil Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,770	Try looking at what they are looking at before you bring it down with a ball bearing and elastic. http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29816 You can listen in too. Tom.

10-10-2008, 11:49 PM	#8
tom bombadil Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,770	http://www.dkimages.com/discover/pre...752/192699.JPG http://www.play.net/images/weapons/bolas.jpg http://www.play.net/images/weapons/grappling_net.jpg http://www.wilderness-survival.net/figures/fig12-7.gif Even better. Tom.

11-10-2008, 12:56 AM	#10
disorder2k8 Inactive Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 4,996	Wait a minute, this looks like the same shape as in the 'flying humanoid' shots, i bet its the same thing

11-10-2008, 01:08 AM	#11
darketernal Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 5,940	I think with a .300 win mag you could easily drop that thing at a good distance away without it getting you on film.

11-10-2008, 09:19 AM	#14
poohkits Premier Subscribers Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Wales Posts: 204	If you think those things are bad wait till you take a look at these babies !! http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...,7757745.story

11-10-2008, 09:54 AM	#15
freedomnonfighter Premier Subscribers Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,134	I can restrain myself from breaking all the cctv cameras around here on the streets and whatnot; but this .. no. It's game over if I ever catch a glimpse of one of those things. __________________ He who binds to himself a joy - Does the winged life destroy; But he who kisses the joy as it flies - Lives in eternity's sun rise. ---William Blake

11-10-2008, 10:49 AM	#20
tom bombadil Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,770	I would be more inclined to find out what they are doing. http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29816 I wonder if this unit can when modified, send out a blocking signal? After you find out what frequency it is on, a more powerfull sender on your belt could do the job, as the tiny unit can only give out a weak signal, and your own will block it out. When it moves out too far for me to effect it, then the image on the units ccd would not be clear enough for a court case. I dont do bad stuff, but I dont want them to know what I am doing. Tom.