Police Secrecy Behind Unmanned Aircraft Test
DL
By Stephen Dean
http://www.click2houston.com/investigates/14659066/detail.html
POSTED: 9:03 am CST November 21, 2007
WALLER COUNTY, Texas -- Houston police started testing unmanned
aircraft and the event was shrouded in secrecy, but it was captured on
tape by Local 2 Investigates.
Neighbors in rural Waller County said they thought a top-secret
military venture was under way among the farmland and ranches, some 70
miles northwest of Houston. KPRC Local 2 Investigates had four hidden
cameras aimed at a row of mysterious black trucks. Satellite dishes
and a swirling radar added to the neighbors' suspense.
Then, cameras were rolling as an unmanned aircraft was launched into
the sky and operated by remote control.
Houston police cars were surrounding the land with a roadblock in
place to check each of the dignitaries arriving for the invitation-
only event. The invitation spelled out, "NO MEDIA ALLOWED."
HPD Chief Harold Hurtt attended, along with the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security and dozens of officers from various police agencies
in the Houston area. Few of the guests would comment as they left the
test site.
News Chopper 2 had a Local 2 Investigates team following the aircraft
for more than one hour as it circled overhead. Its wings spanned 10
feet and it circled at an altitude of 1,500 feet. Operators from a
private firm called Insitu, Inc. manned remote controls from inside
the fleet of black trucks as the guests watched a live feed from the
high-powered camera aboard the 40-pound aircraft.
"I wasn't ready to publicize this," Executive Assistant Police Chief
Martha Montalvo said. She and other department leaders hastily
organized a news conference when they realized Local 2 Investigates
had captured the entire event on camera.
"We still haven't even decided how we were going to go forward on this
task, so it seemed premature to me to announce this to the media,"
Montalvo said. "But since, obviously, the media found out about it,
then I don't see any reason why just not go forward with what we have
so far."
Montalvo told reporters the unmanned aircraft would be used for
"mobility" or traffic issues, evacuations during storms, homeland
security, search and rescue, and also "tactical." She admitted that
could include covert police actions and she said she was not ruling
out someday using the drones for writing traffic tickets.
A large number of the officers at the test site were assigned to the
department's ticket-writing Radar Task Force. Capt. Tom Runyan
insisted they were only there to provide "site security," even though
KPRC cameras spotted those officers heavily participating in the test
flight.
Houston police contacted KPRC from the test site, claiming the entire
airspace was restricted by the Federal Aviation Administration. Police
even threatened action from the FAA if the Local 2 helicopter remained
in the area. However, KPRC reported it had already checked with the
FAA on numerous occasions and found no flight restrictions around the
site, a point conceded by Montalvo.
HPD leaders said they would address privacy and unlawful search
questions later.
South Texas College of Law professor Rocky Rhodes, who teaches the
constitution and privacy issues, said, "One issue is going to be law
enforcement using this and when, by using these drones, are they
conducting a search in which they'd need probable cause or a warrant.
If the drones are being used to get into private spaces and be able to
view where the government cannot otherwise go, and to collect
information that would not otherwise be able to collect, that's
concerning to me."
HPD Assistant Chief Vickie King said of the unmanned aircraft, "It's
interesting that privacy doesn't occur or searches aren't an issue
when you have a helicopter pilot over you and it would not be used in
airspace other than what our helicopters are used in already."
She admitted that police helicopters are not equipped with cameras
nearly as powerful as the unmanned aircraft, but she downplayed any
privacy concerns, saying news helicopters have powerful cameras as
well.
HPD stressed it is working with the FAA on reviewing the technical
specifications, the airworthiness and hazards of flying unmanned
aircraft in an urban setting. Future test flights are planned.
The price tag for an unmanned aircraft ranges from $30,000 to $1
million each and HPD is hoping to begin law enforcement from the air
by June of 2008 with these new aircraft.
If you have a news tip or question for KPRC Local 2 Investigates, drop
them an e-mail or call their tipline at (713) 223-TIPS (8477).
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
Remote controlled plane attacks Pakistan school
Malaysia Sun Friday 2nd November, 2007
http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/296628/cs/1/
A missile attack, launched by a drone aircraft, has killed at least
five people and wounded several more in Pakistan's volatile Waziristan
region.
The drone flew very low and fired the missile near a religious school
run by pro-Al Qaeda Mujahideen.
Some people were injured and taken to the local hospital.
Residents said the explosion rocked the whole area and caused people
to flee their homes and shops in panic.
Information coming from Pakistan says drone attacks are typically
launched by U.S forces across the border in Afghanistan.
The missile hit dwellings close to the sprawling religious school
which had been founded by a veteran Mujahideen commander, Jalaluddin
Haqqani.
* * *
Missile Kills 5 in Northwest Pakistan; U.S. Denies Attack
By ISMAIL KHAN Published: November 3, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/03/world/asia/03drone.html?ref=world
*
Greg Carr
capability in that Theatre Of Operations?
--
Read and obey the Bible. Yu'shua died on the cross for our sins, He rose
again and walked the earth. We are awaiting the Third Coming aka The Day Of
Judgment.
Sheep are extremely fluffy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4NEbU_YkZw#gAhmzK_HQgc
"dangdangdoodIe" <notea-...@islandnet.com> wrote in message
news:W4b2j.9566$Ji6.6380@edtnps89...
> In article
> <fedfbd15-3d87-4011...@i29g2000prf.googlegroups.com>,
> DL <lol...@msn.com> wrote:
>
>> * * * * * * * *
>> Remote controlled plane attacks Pakistan school
>> Malaysia Sun Friday 2nd November, 2007
>> http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/296628/cs/
>> 1/
>>
>> A missile attack, launched by a drone aircraft, has killed at least
>> five people and wounded several more in Pakistan's volatile Waziristan
>> region.
>>
>> The drone flew very low and fired the missile near a religious school
>> run by pro-Al Qaeda Mujahideen.
>>
>> Some people were injured and taken to the local hospital.
>>
>> Residents said the explosion rocked the whole area and caused people
>> to flee their homes and shops in panic.
>>
>> Information coming from Pakistan says drone attacks are typically
>> launched by U.S forces across the border in Afghanistan.
>>
>> The missile hit dwellings close to the sprawling religious school
>> which had been founded by a veteran Mujahideen commander, Jalaluddin
>> Haqqani.
>> * * *
>>
>> Missile Kills 5 in Northwest Pakistan; U.S. Denies Attack
>> By ISMAIL KHAN Published: November 3, 2007
>> http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/03/world/asia/03drone.html?ref=world
>
>
>
> The unmanned aircraft are controlled from the US.
>
>
>
> --
> the dang
>
> "Canada should have gone to war in Iraq." Harper told Americans.
>
> If You Like Warmonger Bush, You Like Harper
> ___________
DL
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htweap/articles/20071126.aspx
November 26, 2007: The U.S. is shipping laser guided 120mm mortar
rounds to Iraq and Afghanistan. The XM395 Precision Guided Mortar
Munition has been in development for twelve years, and was almost
cancelled at least once because of the delays. The 38 pound XM395
round has a range of seven kilometers, and will land within three feet
of where the laser is pointed. Unguided mortar shells cannot put the
first round that close, and requires firing several rounds, and
adjusting aim, before you get one on the target. A guided mortar round
is very useful in urban warfare, where a miss will often kill
civilians. The 120mm mortar round has about five pounds of explosives,
compared to 15 pounds in a 155mm shell. The smaller explosive charges
limits collateral damage to civilians. The XM395 completed its testing
over the Summer, and will begin arriving in Iraq and Afghanistan early
next year. Each round will cost about $40,000. Every U.S. infantry
battalion is equipped with 120mm mortars.
On Nov 24, 8:04 pm, DL <lol7...@msn.com> wrote:
> Local 2 Investigates Police Secrecy Behind Unmanned Aircraft Test
> By Stephen Deanhttp://www.click2houston.com/investigates/14659066/detail.html
> Malaysia Sun Friday 2nd November, 2007http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/2...