October 6, 2004
OH, CAN'T YOU SEE, YOU BELONG TO ME:
Palestinians: Unmanned drone killed 40 last week in Gaza (SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM, October 7, 2004)
The Israel Air Force successfully tested an unmanned aerial vehicle platform capable of firing missiles or anti-tank munitions at ground targets.Posted by Orrin Judd at October 6, 2004 10:36 PMPalestinian sources said the unidentified UAV has been used during the current "Days of Pentinence" military operation in the northern Gaza Strip targeting Hamas operatiaves and others involved in the recent rash of Kassam rocket attacks.
So far, the sources said, the UAV was responsible for the death of 40 Palestinians over the last week. They said the UAV was used to locate and target Palestinian combatants in the Jabalya refugee camp, the focus of Kassam-class short-range missile production.
The sources said the UAV was capable of targeting and destroying moving vehicles.
What, the Palestinians were looking up when the bombs were going off? I think somebody needs to check on these "sources".
Posted by: ratbert at October 6, 2004 11:27 PMSpeaking as a gentile American, I wonder whether those UAV's were provided or aided by our Pentagon? Here's hoping.
Posted by: Fred Jacobsen (San Fran) at October 7, 2004 12:30 AMWelcome to the future of warfare.
The opening scenes of The Terminator and Terminator 2 give some glimpse of what it'll be like, although of course the 'droids will be under human control.
Posted by: Michael Herdegen at October 7, 2004 12:37 AMI'd just like to say that "Days of Penitence" is the coolest name for a military operation I've heard in quite a while. Guess political incorrectness is the least of Israel's concerns, eh?
Posted by: Just John at October 7, 2004 1:23 AM"The opening scenes of The Terminator and Terminator 2 give some glimpse of what it'll be like, although of course the 'droids will be under human control."
For now.
*cue ominous music*
Posted by: M Ali Choudhury at October 7, 2004 5:33 AM40 terrorists vs. 0 Israelis. Now that's a kill ratio to be proud of.
Posted by: Bart at October 7, 2004 6:52 AMFred:
Possibly not; the Israelis have perhaps the world's best small UAVs (they do have some export sales), though the US would appear to have a large and increasing lead in medium-to-full-sized ones.
I'm not sure what this means for the future of warfare, but I doubt many nations want to get into a killer-robot-building contest with Israel.
Posted by: mike earl at October 7, 2004 8:27 AMOrrin:
My sister still holds a grudge that I ruined one of her favorite songs by pointing out to her that the guy is a stalker.
Posted by: Rick T. at October 7, 2004 9:23 AMTerrific. One no longer has to walk a mile to smoke a camel.
Posted by: Lou Gots at October 7, 2004 9:35 AMRick:
The Wife had a boyfriend who thought it should be "their song".
Posted by: oj at October 7, 2004 9:37 AM38 terrrorists and 2 kids to 0.
The Israelis are now admitting their drone pictures of the 'missile' on the UN ambulance were wrong, too.
Like I said, the problem is target acquisition.
Posted by: Harry Eagar at October 8, 2004 2:48 AMHarry,
38 terrorists and 2 terrorists in training vs. 0 Israelis.
The only solution to the problem with the so-called Palestinians is the one proposed by General Sheridan for dealing with Indians 130 years ago.
Posted by: Bart at October 8, 2004 10:08 AMYou may be right, bart. I have an alternative policy on offer, but yours is my fallback position.
However, that does not affect the problem with remote munitions. Target acquisition is still unsolved, whether you are talking about kids playing in a vacant lot or distinguishing among incoming MIRVs.
Posted by: Harry Eagar at October 8, 2004 5:42 PM