A tweet posted last week by Peter Singer, a co-author of the book Ghost Fleet and a strategist at the New America Foundation, shows his book couched up against what appears to be a Battelle DroneDefender anti-drone rifle in a tent at Fire Base Bell outside Makhmour, Iraq.
Continue reading… “The U.S. appears to be using anti-drone rifles against the Islamic State”
Designer and entrepreneur Massoud Hassani hopes to rid the planet of its estimated 100 million buried land mines within 10 years. That’s why several years ago, he developed the Mine Kafon – a device that rolls across minefields like a tumbleweed, tripping mines as it goes. While it’s a clever idea, he still wanted something that works faster. To that end, he is now developing the Mine Kafon Drone.
Continue reading… “Mine-hunting drone could make the world a safer place”
A submarine’s periscope is a useful tool, however it puts the vessel at risk since it can only be used when the sub surfaces. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have created a waterproof drone that can float up from the murky depths and then take to the skies.
Continue reading… “Like a nuclear submarine, flying drone can hide underwater for months”
German defense contractor Rheinmetall Defense Electronics showcased a new sea-based anti-drone laser system at the Defense and Security Equipment Industry in London,. The system, according to Chinese web site qq.com, features not one but four high energy lasers (HEL) mounted on turret, making it look like some kind of laser gun.
Continue reading… “German Rheinmetall showcases new sea-based anti-drone laser system”
A bill in North Dakota is aimed at making sure that police didn’t put weapons on drones has turned into a bill that accomplished exactly the opposite. North Dakota police can now put Tasers, pepper spray, and all types of non-lethal weapons on their drones.
Continue reading… “North Dakota police can now weaponize their drones”
Ronald C. Arkin: I’ve been engaged in the debate over autonomous robotic military systems for almost 10 years. I am not averse to a ban, but I’m convinced we should continue researching this technology for the time being. One reason is that I believe such systems might be capable of reducing civilian casualties and property damage when compared to the performance of human warfighters. Thus, it is a contention that calling for an outright ban on this technology is premature, as some groups already are doing.
Futurist Thomas Frey: It’s ironic, this whole effort to work so hard to make working obsolete, or in the case of artificial intelligence, the effort to think so hard to make thinking obsolete.
But then it should really come as no mystery. Machines are far superior to people. Every worker brings their own set of baggage to the workplace, and officials have created countless laws to protect these workers, making the human side of work messier than ever. Continue reading… “The Black Hat Robots are Coming”
EXACTO self-steering bullet.
The Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance (EXACTO) is a self-steering bullet program announced by DARPA that passed a developmental milestone this past February. According to DARPA, and the video below, experienced and novice shooters alike were able to strike moving targets. And, in the case of expert shooters, able to hit actively evading targets as well.
Continue reading… “Self-steering bullet proves it can hit moving targets: DARPA”
FBI is more optimistic about the benefits of driverless cars when it comes to surveillance efforts.
Self-driving cars are a “potential lethal weapon,” but could make surveillance “more effective and easier,” according to FBI claims in an internal report surfaced by the Guardian.
Continue reading… “FBI sees driverless cars as a ‘potential lethal weapon’”
The submarine was named after famous independence fighter Yun Bong-gil (1908-1932).
South Korea has launched its fifth 1,800-ton-class attack submarine last week as part of efforts to boost its underwater warfare capabilities against North Korean submarines, the Navy said.The 214-class submarine, named after famous independence fighter Yun Bong-gil (1908-1932) and manufactured by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., will be delivered to the Navy in late 2015 and commissioned the next year, a Navy officer said.
Continue reading… “South Korea launches its 5th 1,800 ton 214-class submarine”
Google Glass-equipped smart rifle.
Trackingpoint is the company behind the U.S. Army’s new smart rifle. They are already famous for developing a gun that does all the hard work of aiming for you. Armed with one of their precision guided firearms, you simply tag your targets as if you were piloting an Air Force jet and then aim your weapon where it tells you to. You’re almost guaranteed to hit your target every time. (Video)
Continue reading… “Smart rifle uses Google Glass to let you shoot around corners”
Lun-class Ekranoplane
History of weapon design is full of examples of human ingenuity run amok. “What are some historical weapons that most people have never heard of,” a group of Quora users asked. The answers provide an amazing insight into the history of war, and offer examples of some of the most ingenious — yet impractical — weaponry ever created.
Continue reading… “Top 7 military weapons most people have never heard of”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.