Armed drones; are they making the world safer, making enemies more determined, or just the natural progression of modern warfare?

2014-03-25T12:32:35-04:00

I plan on spending the summer writing about the use of drones in combat and unconventional international operations in the domestic and international legal regime, specifically armed drones used in covert strikes.

I've talked to prolific writers and experts on the Law of Armed Conflict; some see it as practically damaging to anti-terror efforts, others see it simply as a new tool for an old process.

Is it changing the face of international influence, or just new tech?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2014 12:35 PM

2014-03-25T12:35:44-04:00

Sir

Simply put, i feel drones are the result of our military evolving. Drones are possible due to technological advances. Drones also aid in the accomplishment of national security missions and do so without putting boots on the ground. What better achievement could we ask for then to neutralize a high value target and do it by not putting out Soldiers in harms way.

Response by SGT James Elphick made Mar 25 at 2014 5:05 PM

2014-03-25T17:05:07-04:00

I think they are changing the face of international influence. Think about Bill Clinton and how many times during the 90's he tried to get Saddam Hussein. Cruise missiles were the best technology at the time but we could never pin him down long enough to get a missile on target. With that being said a few drones can seriously alter the civilian and military command structures of a less developed country. (I'm not saying the U.S. would necessarily do this but I'm sure there are countries out there that could acquire the technology that wouldn't mind giving it a try) So, the way we use them currently is simply an evolution of military methods, "new tech" as you stated, but the potential is there to have serious international implications.

Response by PFC Eric Minchey made Oct 1 at 2014 4:05 PM

2014-10-01T16:05:23-04:00

http://anonhq.com/anonsec-hacked-drone/

AnonSec Hacked Drone

Written by: Tiobe After a recent hiatus, hacker group Anonsec says it has successfully hacked an unidentified drone, and still has the drone under its control as of today. “We have been still going through drone data andvideo logs, and soon we will …

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Apr 24 at 2015 2:45 AM

2015-04-24T02:45:29-04:00

Deaths won't end U.S. drone strikes ...

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/deaths-of-2-western-hostages-wont-end-us-drone-strikes/ar-AAbB0Fq

Deaths of 2 Western hostages won't end US drone strikes

WASHINGTON _ A fiery barrage of missiles from CIA drones inadvertently killed two Western hostages, including an American, during an attack on a suspected al-Qaida hideout in northwestern Pakistan, but U.S. officials said Thursday that they won't stop using drones to target and kill terrorists.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Apr 24 at 2015 2:47 AM

2015-04-24T02:47:35-04:00

Response by COL Ted Mc made Apr 24 at 2015 3:25 AM

2015-04-24T03:25:48-04:00

Actually you should be very afraid of "drones".

They are cheap to make, easy to fly, and potentially devastating weapons due to their accuracy.

Of course I'm not talking about a "drone" that you can use in Afghanistan while sitting in an air conditioned room in Albuquerque, I'm talking about a "drone" that you can control from a couple of miles away and guide using an on board video camera. Even if it can only carry ten pounds of HE it can do one hell of a lot of damage if it hits the right target - and even more if several of them hit interconnected "right targets" at, or about, the same time.

If some person in Australia can build a cruise missile in his garage - using "off the shelf" components and a home fabricated air frame 9and he did - then "the bad guys" can do the same thing and you'll never know that they weren't anything other than a "model airplane club" until they are ready to let you know.

Response by SSG Ronald Williams made Apr 24 at 2015 8:32 AM

2015-04-24T08:32:36-04:00

My biggest concern about drones is their use domestically. The disconnect between the person pulling the trigger and the target is so large that it would be the easiest way to use the military against US citizens.

Response by Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay made Jun 16 at 2015 12:11 AM

2015-06-16T00:11:56-04:00

Drones are making enemies more determined and more desperate. Drones maybe sentient after all. They are playing the role of judge, jury and executioner. Are the operators being held responsible for the drones actions? The President?