US deploys 'civilian' drones in Iraq

[cobber]

This seems ominous.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/30/w...s-skies.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

The drones are the latest example of the State Department’s efforts to take over functions in Iraq that the military used to perform. Some 5,000 private security contractors now protect the embassy’s 11,000-person staff, for example, and typically drive around in heavily armored military vehicles.

Apparently the US govt. can deploy drones anywhere it is curious about goings on, and not just in combat zones. And we don't need to clear it with the locals either.

In the online prospectus, called a “presolicitation notice,” the State Department last September outlined a broad requirement to provide “worldwide Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (U.A.V.) support services.” American officials said this was to formalize the initial program.
...
The document does not identify specific countries, but contracting specialists familiar with the program say that it focuses initially on operations in Iraq.

Hmm...

 

[ZombieApocolypse]

I guess our satelites are broken?

 

[actaeon277]

I guess our satelites are broken?

Geosynchronos satellites (stationary over one part of the planet) are only used in certain situations.
Most satellites travel across the sky. That's okay if you're looking for missle silos, or checking on the progress of someone building a reactor. But would totally suck for when you need instantly available, 24 hour coverage.
Satellites can be "retasked", but at great cost to their service life.

 

[NapalmFTW]

Geosynchronos satellites (stationary over one part of the planet) are only used in certain situations.
Most satellites travel across the sky. That's okay if you're looking for missle silos, or checking on the progress of someone building a reactor. But would totally suck for when you need instantly available, 24 hour coverage.
Satellites can be "retasked", but at great cost to their service life.

^^ This guy knows his stuff

Drones/eyes-on Intel beats satellite intel.

 

[RoyalTenenbaum]

^^ This guy knows his stuff

Drones/eyes-on Intel beats satellite intel.

But I saw in this movie this one time they just punch it in on the keyboard and the guys at the NSA can just move the satellite to check in on sketchy Larry peeing in his yard any time they want.

 

[cobber]

Does anyone reasonably have any expectation of privacy anymore?