[MilCom] Fwd: [MilRadioComms] Drug Smugglers using drones.

[AllanStern--- via MilCom]

_Drug Smugglers Beating DHS at Drone War with <1%  Budget_ 
(http://defenseindustrydaily.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=329658425751766a1111efa05&id=0
dfb345142&e=06b9ef456c) 
    *   A  Mexican drug operation appears to have operationalized 
cross-border drug  smuggling with helicopter drones. One device - what appears to be 
a DJI  SPreadwings S900 Multi-rotor System, which _retails_ 
(http://defenseindustrydaily.us5.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=329658425751766a1111efa05&id=
eb29044141&e=06b9ef456c)   for $1,400 - fell into a Tijuana parking lot 
after being loaded with six  pounds of meth. The wire services and newspapers 
are indicating that it was _overloaded_ 
(http://defenseindustrydaily.us5.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=329658425751766a1111efa05&id=d035781249&e=06b9ef45
6c)   at that weight, but the S900 has an all-up weight of 15 pounds. The 
weakness  of the system is a battery that lasts 18 minutes at hover, which 
may explain  why the device fell short of the border. Interestingly, it 
appears to be a  similar model to the one used in Quebec to _deliver  contraband 
tobacco_ 
(http://defenseindustrydaily.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=329658425751766a1111efa05&id=70159c82d6&e=06b9ef456c)  into a prison yard. Among 
other agencies, the FAA might  not appreciate the _unlicensed  commercial 
aviation_ 
(http://defenseindustrydaily.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=329658425751766a1111efa05&id=bbc66be185&e=06b9ef456c)  activity; provided the 
_local police officials report it_ (http:///) . Homeland Security also  has 
drones to theoretically interdict drugs, but that program costs $12,000  per 
flight hour, which is one reason why some people would like to _take  those 
toys away_ 
(http://defenseindustrydaily.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=329658425751766a1111efa05&id=d04bbe5253&e=06b9ef456c)  from them. 

AL STERN Satellite  Beach  FL
AllanStern at aol.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MilRadioComms
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