US Army to fly ‘miniature’ drones
‘Small enough to fit into a soldier's backpack’:
US: A miniature “kamikaze” drone designed to quietly hover in
the sky before dive-bombing and slamming into a human target will soon
be part of the US Army’s arsenal, officials say.
Dubbed the “Switchblade,” the robotic aircraft represents the latest
attempt by the United States to refine how it takes out suspected
militants.
Weighing less than two kilos, the drone is small enough to fit into a
soldier’s backpack and is launched from a tube, with wings quickly
folding out as it soars into the air, according to manufacturer
AeroVironment.
Powered by a small electric motor, the Switchblade transmits video in
real time from overhead, allowing a soldier to identify an enemy, the
company said in a press release last month.
“Upon confirming the target using the live video feed, the operator
then sends a command to the air vehicle to arm it and lock its
trajectory onto the target,” it said.
The drone then flies into the “target,” detonating a small explosive.
The California-based firm also said the drone can be called off at
the last moment, even after a kill mission has been ordered. That
feature provides troops with “a level of control not available in other
weapon systems,” it said.
The United States currently uses larger Predator and Reaper drones to
hunt down suspected militants in Pakistan and elsewhere.
The robotic planes fire powerful Hellfire missiles and drop heavy
bombs that can cause civilian casualties and extensive damage, which has
fueled popular anger with the United States in Pakistan.
In the war in Afghanistan, US and coalition troops fighting the the
Taliban can call in artillery fire or air strikes from fighter jets and
attack helicopters. But the heavy firepower has been blamed by Afghan
leaders for claiming the lives of innocent civilians and strained US
relations with Kabul.
The Switchblade, however, is touted as a way to avoid killing
bystanders. “Flying quietly at high speed the Switchblade delivers its
onboard explosive payload with precision while minimizing collateral
damage,” the company said.
The US Army in June approved a $4.9 million contract for
AeroVironment to supply the new drones as soon as possible. Officials
have not said how many Switchblade drones were ordered or when the
robotic weapons would make into the hands of US forces.
Human rights groups have raised concerns that the use of drones by
the CIA has allowed the conduct of a secret assassination campaign
abroad without public scrutiny and little oversight by lawmakers in
Congress. AFP |