The US Military Can Now Shoot Down Consumer Drones

Megalith

Megalith

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The Pentagon is cracking down on the use of drones over US military installations: bases now have permission to shoot and destroy any consumer drones flying overhead and nearby that are considered a threat. Drones may also be tracked or seized for investigative purposes.

It became illegal to fly personal drones within 400ft (122m) of the US's 133 military facilities in April. The Federal Aviation Administration announced at the time that those who disobeyed the order would face financial penalties and possible criminal charges. The watchdog has forecast that US-based hobbyists will own more than 3.5 million drones by 2021, and that there could be a further 1.6 million commercial models in operation. The technology's growing popularity has raised privacy and safety concerns.
 
... and this is where we will see the automated sentry guns making an appearance.

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Well as long as they're not planning on using $3,000,000 Patriot missiles to shoot down a $200 quadcopter like those "allies" of the US did...
 
Any excuse for exercising that oh so itchy trigger finger, hey America?

The more targets the better... hehehe

But seriously, if your stupid enough to fly a drone around a military installation, then your lucky that it's only your drone that gets shot!
 
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It helps keep the spies away and provides accurate training data for the AI. Win-win.
 
Stop flying around military bases. Bet most of these idiots also love to laser cockpits.
 
I wonder if anyone has flown a drone out in a restricted area like Area 51? It would be incredibly stupid to do so - but that's never stopped anyone before :)
 
steakman1971 said:
I wonder if anyone has flown a drone out in a restricted area like Area 51? It would be incredibly stupid to do so - but that's never stopped anyone before :)
Click to expand...

I'd love to see someone try that while livestreaming! Could be a classic!
 
steakman1971 said:
I wonder if anyone has flown a drone out in a restricted area like Area 51? It would be incredibly stupid to do so - but that's never stopped anyone before :)
Click to expand...
The base itself is many miles in from the border of the larger Nellis Air Force Range (where Area 51 resides).

Even if it weren't taken down by other means, a drone wouldn't make it anywhere near before the battery crapped out.
 
Wait so there was a point where it was legal to fly a drown over a US military base.... wtf They should have been shooting them down long before now I mean talk about a serious security risk.
 
I am not sure why they needed permission. Considering the possibilities these things could carry (guns, bombs, etc) it could be a valid security threat.
 
Wonder if this applies to military members who have access to the base.
 
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