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| USMC developing UAV to re-supply combat forces |
| 2009-03-12 |
| By this summer, combat troops in Afghanistan could be getting re-supplied by giant unmanned aerial vehicles, a Marine Corps general told Congress Wednesday. The Marines are working with industry to build a cargo-carrying UAV capable of hauling up to 1,200 pounds of battlefield essentials — such as ammunition, water and batteries — to ground troops in remote places, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. John Amos told the House Appropriations Committee’s subcommittee on defense. The move is part of a short-term plan to find new ways to reduce the weight Marines carry into combat. Details are sketchy, but Amos said “I’m looking for something now. We want to get a solution into Afghanistan by this summer.” Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli, who also testified at the hearing, told Army Times in an interview that he was unsure if the Army will use cargo UAVs in the future. He said that the Army has been able to deliver up to 26,000 pounds of supplies a day using precision air drop. |
| Posted by:tu3031 |
| #5 In that situation, I would opt for high altitude blimps. They have enormous cargo capacity, and could drop GPS parachutes right on target. At the same time, they could provide superior ground intelligence. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2009-03-12 21:35 |
| #4 Thanks ed - there's he fighter escort. One of those could probably cover several blimps with semi-trailer size loads. UAV Military Intermodal Command (UMIC) - a new command? |
| Posted by: Halliburton - Mysterious Conspiracy Division 2009-03-12 21:06 |
| #3 Probably a helicopter UAV like the Hummingbird. |
| Posted by: ed 2009-03-12 20:59 |
| #2 It's about time. Rather than the tollroad through Khyber, the way the crow flies is vastly prefereable. Tipover - any idea how low these would be? And if within range of ground fire, how about mounting a gun or two and firing back. Heck deploy a fleet of decoy blimps and fly in convoys. Swarm them. |
| Posted by: Halliburton - Mysterious Conspiracy Division 2009-03-12 20:34 |
| #1 It will be interesting to see the reasoning as "large, low and VERY slow" means target practice for even the AK-47. I assume (?) they are talking remote controlled Lighter Than Air though the article is very vague. If so, the winds over that terrain should be a real challenge even without someone trying to pot the engines or controls. |
| Posted by: tipover 2009-03-12 18:30 |