Unmanned Drones to Patrol Africa

[sdowney717]

good idea except when do you shoot?
Do you just watch the pirates kidnap the victims? Monitor them from afar?
I can see these predator drones being used to protect commercial shipping but small civilian boats I dont think they will risk firing.

[cburger]

How long will be before these technologies will be used on "We the People" ? Brave new world is here.

[anotherT34C]

I (mostly) worry about them becoming automated. It seems pretty much inevitable, and soon.

A future for drones: Automated killing - CBS News

[rrranch]

I think they are a waste of money. Seriously. Without a human onboard they can rarely get a positive ID on a target. Some AC130 specters would be a better choice. humans onboard and lots of guns.
They drone operators can guess but do you want an armed drone guessing when you are about to be boarded? I sure don't. Personally I will not, for now anyway, go anywhere that I cannot take my m14 and 45. I'm not kidding either. Since I retired from the navy and our government has gotten rid of all of our ships that can do this mission I've just sat here watching on the news how the pirates get worse and worse. What I wouldn't give to be on my old frigate again out their busting them upside the heads with some 5 inch gun fire! I think we had 70 something knox class frigates then with not a lot to do other than law enforcement and pirate busting after the cold war ended. BRING THEM BACK! Or better yet. Bring back my second ship. The USS Iowa. Send that big old girl to the coast of Africa and just let some pirates get stupid. Give her a full wartime loadout and have some target practice. NOONE has ever stood against an Iowa class and lived to talk about it.
Some international laws at least allowing firearms onboard boats or in a perfect world requiring it, would go a long way too.

[David M]

Let's tone down the politics or you know what happens.

[barnakiel]

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikiped...ks_in_Pakistan

So much for Peace Nobel Prize.

b.

[Chief Engineer]

There is nothing wrong with patrol.....we are on camera many times a day in the US of A......Unless you are in the deep woods. Even on the Chesapeake you are under camera and air scrutiny.

I think sailor bear some responsibility for putting themselves in harms' way

[w1651]

Originally Posted by James S

Thats the challange that I see..I had a friend killed in a drone attack...he was not the target....collateral damage.

Sorta makes me think twice.

I just don't want a ship or boat destroyed killing not only the pirates(that deserve what they get) but any crew of the boat that's under attack by the pirates. I trust the human factor more then a camera or infra red.
I'm with RRR on this. Small, light, and fast coast guard type boats flooding the area with 50 mil guns on the front deck and a radio to call in support is the way to go. There's strength in numbers.

But here is another question.
Why is it that gov can get a pic of the license plate on my car from 300 miles up but can't see where the pirates are and what port they are headquartered at? Get them in their holes on land and be done with it. One cruise missile and the snakes head could be cut from it's body.

P.S. I'd send the flowers.

[atoll]

i don't belive INTERFLORA delivers in somalia.............

[sdowney717]

pirates have turned land pirates kinapping murdering people from kenya beach resorts.
took a 50 year old woman, killed her husband, took her deep into Somali land. Imagine the terror of what they experience.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/19/wo...h-tourist.html
Briton killed by pirates at Kenya resort named, search continues for wife | Herald Sun

The Kenyan police have identified the hostage as Judith Tebbutt, who is in her 50s and severely hearing impaired. She was snatched on Sept. 11 at gunpoint in a late-night raid in which a gang of gunmen stormed her bungalow at an exclusive beach resort on the Kenyan coast, just south of the Somali border.

[sdowney717]

Another kidnapping and getaway by boat.

Kenya scrambles to find kidnapped disabled woman - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Kenyan authorities are trying to establish contact with gunmen who seized a disabled French woman from her home in a Kenyan beach resort and took her to Somalia.

With Kenyan forces obliged to stop their pursuit at the border and officials suspecting Somalia's Al Qaeda-inspired Al-Shebaab of being behind the abduction, chances dimmed of a quick release for the 66-year-old wheelchair-bound woman.

The kidnappers threw away Marie Dadieu's wheelchair, which she had used since an accident several years ago. There were also concerns over her health as Ms Dedieu needs medication every four hours.