"Drone Wars...predators" Topic

So a US predator drone is running a pattern and spots a remote controlled RC plane with a camera on it.

Does the predator have the right to shoot down the remote controlled plane? It could be scouting routes for drug smugglers.

Could drug smullers pack the RC planes with C$ and ram predators to crash them?

How would a Predator shot down a RC plane?? I doubt that a RC Plane is giving off enough heat for a air to air missile to lock on too, or if a Predator would even be able to see it. I don't think RC planes could even catch up to a predator to ram it.

you DO know that 'Skynet' is waiting to 'help us out' with issues like that….don't you????

Where nothing can go worng…go worng….go…bzzzzt*

"Could drug smullers pack the RC planes with C$ and ram predators to crash them?"

Remember the FOG-M?

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IIRC, McCorkle's prototype missiles cost about $4K each to produce. Naturally, the larger defense contractors figured out how to increase the unit cost.

Note the references to smaller alternatives, and to equivalents currently in prodiction outside the US:

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A Predator is sort of a high-end choice for counter-drug operations ($10M a pop); lower-cost systems could certainly do the job for much less. I suppose that's why U.S. Customs and Border Protection has a bunch of Predators!

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But if I were in business, and believed that Predators (or other UAVs) were cutting into my bottom line, I'd sure look at something like a FOG-M. A few thousand bucks for a fiber-optic guided missile to take out a $10M asset: a sound investment.

Allen

I doubt it could acquire, or shoot it down.

Perhaps ramming with that large rear propeller would work, but that might cause the loss of the Predator as well. It certainly wouldn't do it any good.

Probably no good options currently, to take it out, unless the R/C plane flies really low, and you have some decent geese hunters with max. shotgun loads nearby.

First, you'd have to have said Predator armed with a Stinger, and I don't think CBP has those.

Then you'd have to convince someone to spend, what, $10k(?) to shoot down a smaller drone when what you really want to do is figure out who's controlling it and where it's going.

Yep, probably better to follow it back home from high altitude, so they don't know you're looking, and then drop a Hellfire on it, and them.

Works the other way, too. The FOG-M was (briefly) chosen to be the non-line-of-sight (NLOS) component of the Foward Area Air Defense Syetem (FAADS), because you could fly the dang thing right onto an attack helicopter.

So if I were going to take out Predators, I think the FOG-M or the Brazilian version could probably do it in the air.

But simpler to park a van a few miles from the Predators' operating base, and take out four of them plus their control station with one volley. I don't think we've yet begun to understand how creative the drug lords can be.

Allen

I don't think the Predator could tell the RC plane was evil.
And it could probably spot any controller for the plane on the ground. It would then be flown by its pilot to check ou the ground target. That is when a shoot or no shoot decision would be made.

"And it could probably spot any controller for the plane on the ground."

If it's being controlled like this, maybe:

If it's like this, maybe not:

Allen

I would be VERY surprised if an RC plan had the altitude and range to even receach most American UAVs unless they were flying very close to the ground.

Jeff

Hi

I can see there are some misconceptions here about state of the art RC systems. Equip said RC model with current spread spectrum radio technology (Futaba FASST) (Less then $1000) 2.4 Ghz and only jam able with broad spectrum jamming. Use off the shelf first person view equipment ($1000)and mount a model size turbine $4,000 and you have a 200 mph TV guided unit with a range of about 2 miles for control and as high as your fuel supply will carry you. No need for explosives just impact alone will probably be enough.

Guy

Example

YouTube link

Wouldn't it be more profitable to fill the RC aircraft with drugs (it's called a "payload" for a reason) and let the CBP folks amuse themselves with their expensive paramilitary toys? Active attacks on US government agencies would get your criminal organization (which has legal rights) listed as a terrorist organization (which allows them to land a hellfire in your bedroom).

Drug dealers have used RC plans for years to fly drugs across the border. A predator is not designed for Air to Air surveylance, its an air to ground intel piece.

Finding the launch sites (usually catapult type launchers from vehicles) is what they want. Then tracking them in covert to their bases/hide outs.

Thus instead of catching one loads of drugs, you might catch the entire gang.

Drug dealers have used RC plans for years to fly drugs across the border. A predator is not designed for Air to Air surveylance, its an air to ground intel piece.

Finding the launch sites (usually catapult type launchers from vehicles) is what they want. Then tracking them in covert to their bases/hide outs.

Thus instead of catching one loads of drugs, you might catch the entire gang.

Nice discussion. Thanks, guys