Special Ops Submarines launch robots

Danger Room has an article about the various robots - flying, floating and diving- that are launched by US Navy special operations submarines.

US Air Force school for UAV pilots

The LA Times has an article about a US Air Force school that trains drone pilots.

Until recently, pilots would work on the Predators and Reapers, then return to their assigned aircraft. But the Air Force would like officers to make a career out of flying unmanned craft and become experts at operating the drones.

CIA using secret base in Pakistan for drones

The Times reports that the CIA is using a secret base in Pakistan to launch drone missions inside the country. I particularly liked this quote:

“No. No. No. No. No. We unequivocally and emphatically can tell you that there is no basing of US troops in Pakistan,” he said. “There is no basing of US Air Force, Navy, Marines, Army, none, on the record and emphatically. I want that to be very clear. And that is the answer any way you want to put it. There is no base here, no troops billeted. We do not operate here.”

He said that he could not comment on CIA operations.

Followup: The Times has another article about Google Maps providing pictures of the base.

USAF UAVs

NetworkWorld reports that the US Air Force will be acquiring more unmanned aircraft than manned aircraft in 2009.

via slashdot

New US Special Ops Robotic Helicopter

Danger Rooms has an article, with a picture, about a new unmanned helicopter to be bought by American special operations forces.

The Hummingbird is designed to fly 2,500 nautical miles with endurance in excess of 24 hours and a payload of more than 300 pounds. The autonomously-flown A160 is 35 feet long with a 36-foot rotor diameter," according to Hummingbird-maker Boeing's rather brief entry on the craft. "It will fly at an estimated top speed of 140 knots at ceilings up to 30,000 feet, which is about 10,000 feet higher than conventional helicopters can fly today.

New Hovering Drones for US Military

The Register has an article, with a picture, of a new hovering drone being purchased by the US.