How long before these drones have weapons on board? rkm ____________________ Original source URL: http://www.sandersresearch.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1230 Look! Up in the sky! It's . . . By Mark Yannone -- yannone.blogspot.com May/22/2007 "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." -George W. Bush, August 5, 2004 [Watch] Apparently taking a leaf out of this Bush, England has found yet another way to offend its own country. Not satisfied with pole-mounted cameras and microphones planted all over creation, England's masters of their new police state have launched the Spy Drone, a remote-controlled or GPS-controlled, pilotless helicopter armed with a closed-circuit TV camera. Described as one meter wide and weighing less than a bag of sugar, this silent drone can take pictures from as high as 500 meters, even at night. Sporting Brits in Merseyside will love the new machine as it gives them a challenge other than doves and clay pigeons. When the three-month trial of the drones gets under way in June, the country air will be redolent with spent gunpowder. Pull! Another job well done. source BBC report [follows] ____________________ "For us this is a cost effective way of catching criminals." Ass Ch Con Simon Byrne Merseyside Police http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/6676809.stm Pilotless police drone takes off The UK's first police remote control helicopter has taken off. Merseyside police are using the "spy drone", fitted with CCTV cameras, mainly for tackling anti-social behaviour and public disorder. The machine is 1m wide, weighs less than a bag of sugar, and can record images from a height of 500m. Originally used by the military, it is due to be operational by June for a full three-month trial, which is the "first of its kind" in the UK. The drone will also be used for monitoring traffic congestion and investigations are to be made into its possible role in firearms operations. The machines, which are flown by remote control or using pre-programmed GPS navigation systems, are silent and can be fitted with night-vision cameras. For us this is a cost effective way of catching criminals Ass Ch Con Simon Byrne Merseyside Police The images they record are sent back to a police support vehicle or control room. Merseyside's assistant chief constable Simon Byrne said: "We're always looking at ways of putting more officers on the streets, and maximising technology is a powerful way of achieving this. "Our drone will be used primarily to support our anti-social behaviour taskforce AXIS, in gathering all important evidence to put offenders before the courts. "For us, this is a cost-effective way of helping to catch criminals and supports similar technology we're already using in our vans and helicopter." The force has been assisted by the Police, Crime and Standards Directorate. Deputy director, Stephen Cahill, said: "We are pleased to support Merseyside Police in their efforts to reduce crime through the use of new technology. "This trial is the first of its kind in the country and we're excited about its potential." Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/6676809.stm Published: 2007/05/21 12:45:48 GMT © BBC MMVII -- -------------------------------------------------------- Posting archives: http://cyberjournal.org/show_archives/ Escaping the Matrix website: http://escapingthematrix.org/ cyberjournal website: http://cyberjournal.org Community Democracy Framework: http://cyberjournal.org/DemocracyFramework.html Subscribe cyberjournal list: •••@••.••• (send blank message) cyberjournal blog (join in): http://cyberjournal-rkm.blogspot.com/ Moderator: •••@••.••• (comments welcome)
