Next 'real war'?

[unhappycamper]

DoD Buzz: Next Predator, Stealthy And Fast
By Colin Clark Tuesday, August 10th, 2010 1:19 pm
Posted in Air, Intelligence, International, Naval

UAVs aren’t going to be as useful as they have been in Afghanistan and Iraq because, in the next real war ( :wtf: ) they are much more likely to face armed opposition from the ground and from the air.

The outgoing commander of US air assets in Europe, Gen. Roger Brady, told a recent UAV conference that “the burden of proof, in my opinion, is on the proponents of UAS.”

He cited maneuverability and stealth limitations as arguments against UAVs in contested airspace. It turns out the folks at General Atomics have been listening to these arguments and looking ahead. Chris Ames, director of strategic development, said they are developing a stealthy, jet-powered version of the Predator.

Predator C/Avenger will have a jet engine’s maneuverability, be able to fly at 400 knots for up to 20 hours and carry an impressive 3,000 pounds to 6,000 pounds of ordnance, Ames said.

The requirement doesn’t exist yet — at least not in the unclassified world — but Ames says the company is aiming at the Navy’s unmanned carrier aircraft — Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) — and at the Air Force’s long-range strike program. Basically, it looks as if the strike program will include manned and unmanned capabilities and GA is targeting the unmanned portion. He also said the Missile Defense Agency is interested in the capability.



unhappycamper comment: WTF is up with 'the next real war'? Two occupations aren't enough for you?

Psssst. You guys may have heard some ramblings from America turning off lights in cities and unpaving roads because they are too expense to maintain. No problem... We need a more expensive stealthy drone.

[RandomThoughts]

1. They are under a delusion. They think existence is for war.

And many think the war is about who can be more violent. The war is love against war and that is not a war. Although they can not see that metaphor so many join the violent side, although it might be from being unable to see the metaphor in war stories.



The word war has many meanings, if you fight a war with love, you are not at war while at war. Because in your view war is not fighting, but loving, but it is still a conflict, but a conflict in the choices you make, not the amount of people you can kill.

[RKP5637]

2. We have to keep the MIC well funded and busy, the greed/money invested. To hell with

the citizens. This is USA, Inc. "We the Corporations." To hell with "We the People." Humans don't count, only cash flow into the right hands. Wake up America! This is not your country. It's USA, Inc.

[saigon68]

3. A harbinger of things to come

Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron.


Dwight D. Eisenhower, From a speech before the American Society of Newspaper Editors, April 16, 1953
34th president of US 1953-1961 (1890 - 1969)

[RKP5637]

4. Ike was so correct. Today, I don't hear comments from the political power establishments

even remotely like Ike's. IMO the country has been sold to the MIC and corporate power structure. Damn are Americans a weak lethargic bunch. They are letting their country morph into a war machine, and the citizens can go eat worms.

[hedgehog]

5. Just to play Devil's Advocate, the general is supposed to be

planning for the next war rather than winning the last war. It's up to the civilians to decide whether or not to finance the genreal's proposals.

[liberal N proud]

6. Do they ever talk of peace any more?

Looking to the next war, can we end the two we are fighting now and have some peace for a change.

These war mongers are what has this nation broke and no one is stopping them.

[leveymg]

7. If you like Afghanistan and think Iraq was a blast, you will just LOVE war with Iran.

Bombs away! Oops, but, watch out for those anti-ship missiles.