What does this mean?
Let's see ....
You already know what the military does with drones in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen and probably several other countries. They are used for identification, surveillance and targeting of potentially hostile elements. The thing is, the drones used in these foreign operations are flown by regular US military pilots who do know what they are doing.
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| coming soon - to a sky near you |
Recently, the US has allowed drone testing in 59 areas around Denver. Each about 20 square miles. One of these wayward drones nearly brought down a corporate jet, a Cessna flying at 8,000 feet over Denver. Some analysts have suggested the near miss was as close as 170 FEET from the jet! These particular drones are being tested by the University of Colorado’s Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, which has FAA authorization.
This testing is being done because there is a congressional mandate to open U.S. airspace to drones by 2015. The FAA has announced procedures to streamline the process through which government agencies, including local law enforcement, can receive licenses to operate unmanned aircraft at altitudes no higher than 400 feet. This applies as well to commercial and civil drones.
Scared yet?
Why Denver, the mile high city? Well let's see, if you test in the desert, 400 feet is not very high, but around Denver, you are already way up there, flying at a mile high plus 400. ALL citizens of Denver are members of the Mile High club.
And if you've been keeping up, you KNOW there are all kinds of weird and wonderful things about the new Denver International Airport. Like what was built beneath it in complete secrecy? Like why did the budget go from 1.7 billion to over 4.8 billion. 3.1 over! Why are there 8 underground levels? Etc etc.
But back to the drones.
Once they have rules established, the FAA expects as many as 30,000 drones will be in American airspace in the coming years. And it has already been reported that drones operated by the police in Texas will be equipped with weaponry. It's just a matter of time, isn't it?
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| cute lil predator |
Public safety agencies can now get expedited permission to fly drones weighing up to 25 pounds in U.S. airspace. Some exist at 4 pounds too! Notice they are calling them 'public safety' drones. Considering that some satellites can read the writing on your golf ball from space, these lil' gems will be able to see EVERYTHING you are doing, even under your roof with the shades down in the darkness. Did you forget about motion sensors and thermal imaging?
Nice that the government is looking out for us, isn't it. But have innocent people been targeted for 'suspicious' behavior? Depends on who is doing the suspecting, doesn't it.
Meanwhile, sharpen your marksman skills, these little mosquitoes will be hard to hit.
check out the Denver International Airport here -
