Tag Archives: US

FAA drone test sites announced

Posted on January 5, 2014 by understandingempire

The Federal Aviation Administration announced six states that will develop test sites for drones, a critical next step for the spread of unmanned aircraft across U.S. skies. Alaska, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Texas and Virginia will host the research … Continue reading →

Posted in Civilian drones and robotics, FAA | Tagged Drones, FAA, US | Leave a comment

Drone Origins: World War II and Vietnam-era Remotely Piloted Vehicles

Posted on December 2, 2013 by understandingempire

A DC-130 carries two Ryan Firebee drones under its wing. Drone Origins “Moreover, the pilot of the future will not even need to leave home to wage a foreign war” “In all, an odd prospect: Air combat conducted by men … Continue reading →

Posted in History of Drones, Vietnam | Tagged Drones, electronic battlefield, Kettering Bug, Lightning Bug, McNamara, Remotely piloted, Ryan Firebee, Unmanned aerial vehicle, US, US Air Force, Vietnam, World War One, World War Two | 2 Comments

FAA releases roadmap for opening America’s skies – but it’s not Skynet (yet)

Posted on November 12, 2013 by understandingempire

Since the 1990s unmanned aerial systems, or drones, have operated on a limited basis within U.S. domestic airspace–the National Airspace System (NAS). The main user of drones in the NAS were public agencies, such as the military and border patrol. … Continue reading →

Posted in Customs and Border Patrol, Drone Technology, FAA, Policing | Tagged airspace, ATC, Drones, FAA, NAS, Skynet, US | Leave a comment

Why are drone strikes in Pakistan “ending”?

Posted on August 2, 2013 by understandingempire

John Kerry, the U.S. secretary of state, met with his Pakistani counterpart on thursday to discuss security issues. He told Pakistani television that the U.S. would soon end drone strikes. “I believe that we’re on a good track,” he said. … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Pakistan | Tagged Africa, AFRICOM, Drones, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, US | 3 Comments

Don’t shoot drones: My top 10 predictions for the future of drones in the U.S.

Posted on July 23, 2013 by understandingempire

The U.S.’ Federal Aviation Administration–the organization in charge of American airspace– has warned people that firing at drones endangers the public and property, and could lead to prosecution. What promoted this? An ordinance under consideration at the tiny farming community … Continue reading →

Posted in Drone Technology, Opinions and Commentary | Tagged battlespace, Drones, FAA, military, police, Terrorism, US | Leave a comment

The Way of the Knife: The CIA, a Secret Army, and a War at the Ends of the Earth

Posted on May 28, 2013 by understandingempire

Mark Mazzetti (2013) The Way of the Knife: The CIA, a Secret Army, and a War at the Ends of the Earth. New York: The Penguin Press. Mazzetti’s book is an unflinching examination of the past and present shadow wars waged … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, CIA, History of Drones, Special Forces | Tagged CIA, Drones, ISI, JSOC, military, Obama, Pakistan, Special Operations, targeted killings, The Way of the Knife, US | 1 Comment

U.K. aiding U.S. in locating drone targets in Pakistan

Posted on September 24, 2012 by understandingempire

There is “pretty compelling” evidence that the Government’s listening post, the UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) is passing information to the US to help it locate targets for drone attacks in Pakistan’s tribal areas, believed to be a terror hub … Continue reading →

Posted in Pakistan, UK | Tagged CIA, Drones, GCHQ, Intelligence, Pakistan, UK, US | Leave a comment