SupraStar 3000 Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Was reading the news this weekend and was amazed to find out our own RAF have used this bad boy (Reaper) to attack and kill targets Afghanistan. I've known about the surveillance planes but didnt know we had UAVs that could carry weapons too. Pretty impressive isnt it. http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/5047/070931m5827m020xh5.jpg Future plans are to have 8 more and all controlled from RAF Waddington to anywhere in the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edd_t Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 cool. and an extremly big photo too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Is that actual size? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 With the British Skynet going operational recently too it's getting a bit close to the Terminator storylines for comfort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraStar 3000 Posted June 9, 2008 Author Share Posted June 9, 2008 LOL, naaa, you just have a small screen Edd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraStar 3000 Posted June 9, 2008 Author Share Posted June 9, 2008 Is that actual size? Yes. The Borrowers have their own hummvee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 thats old.... it was in MI3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Old news but very interesting, the US have been using them a while and the first kill recorded was 1st Sept according to reports on the net. http://www.defensetech.org/archives/003714.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluecoup Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 good ill be able to fly from home real soon, just like a playstaion game, have you seen the army advert using a microsoft/360 pad to control that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraStar 3000 Posted June 9, 2008 Author Share Posted June 9, 2008 good ill be able to fly from home real soon, just like a playstaion game, have you seen the army advert using a microsoft/360 pad to control that this is what I was thinking too. Its a long way removed from a crappy RC plane with a 360 pad to that killing machine. Sure, the US have had these things for years, (I think the 1st UAV was used in vietnam) but we're talking about the RAF here. WOW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daston Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Old news but very interesting, the US have been using them a while and the first kill recorded was 1st Sept according to reports on the net. http://www.defensetech.org/archives/003714.html I love that artical its a great light hearted take on a seriouse event Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heckler Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 the reapers are huge, i've stood next to a few, about the same size as a fast jet. Americans have been dropping bombs with them before sept 2003 Brits only recently been carrying bombs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Designated UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle). Was reviewing these as part of my bandar essay at Cranwell back in 2002. There were massive human rights issues with their use as they can work completely automated and autonomously, seeking out pre determined tragets etc.. To get round this weapns release had to be initiated by the operator viewing the target!! Neat stuff though, was used extensively with hellfires from what I can remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Sorry just thought of another thing. I spoke to a couple of guys on an EWO course and they stated that the MOD were looking to develop UCAV capability as the next big procurement project for the UK after the massively delayed and costly implementation of the Typhoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Some good info here if your interested Link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-NEMIE Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 ROBOTS soon legs http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EdK2y3lphmE full suit http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=h2jlIRKswnQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Thats cool. This guy is a nutter!!! lol Link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraStar 3000 Posted June 9, 2008 Author Share Posted June 9, 2008 Thanks for the links. Time for a quick read before bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Ive applied to work on these, based at Creech AFB in Las Vegas. Tbh its very much the future of a warfare. Have an AWACS knocking about, few Global Hawks and a load of these, war is never gonna be the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom S Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 something else to read tonight. Thanks Ed et All Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 You should watch a program on Discovery called future weapons. That will make you think ! How about fire and forget missiles, fired over the battlefield to scout for targets, connected via gps they will communicate with each other to make sure they don't lock on to the same target Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolarbag Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 What happens when these go into enemy hands - fair enough they dont have the technology themselves yet but they will eventually - the russians will get it first - they will sell it to the afghans - they will sell it to the highest bidding terrorist organisation bla bla bla Eventually all our houses will be armed with AA guns to shoot the little f*ckers down - might be a business opportunity there;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-NEMIE Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 what Happens When These Go Into Enemy Hands - Fair Enough They Dont Have The Technology Themselves Yet But They Will Eventually - The Russians Will Get It First - They Will Sell It To The Afghans - They Will Sell It To The Highest Bidding Terrorist Organisation Bla Bla Bla Eventually All Our Houses Will Be Armed With Aa Guns To Shoot The Little F*ckers Down - Might Be A Business Opportunity There;) Ironman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl_S Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 poor pilot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraAyf Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Its a long way removed from a crappy RC plane with a 360 pad to that killing machine. It's funny that you should mention RC systems Ed as the current UK UAV (no weapons) is the Hermes/Lydian-450 system that requires a radio control model aircraft pilot to assist its take-off and landing. The model flying experts are world class while the UAV wingspan is 40ft to give you some idea of air vehicle size. The US system that you have seen on the TV which is controlled by UK guys in the States is a VERY recent development indeed and is in its very early stages. The Israeli's are the world leaders on UAV systems at the moment and they have been actively using UAV's to engage their targets for 15-years with exceptional effect on enemy targets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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