Hat tip to Nathan Hodge for this one. The weight of this system is an outstanding two pounds! It is also a lot less obtrusive than the system being used in that Switchblade video below. I am telling you, the day when Drone Archers become a reality in infantry units and special forces units is coming.
The next step is to take micro drones like the Switchblade and make them launchable from Gustavs, SMAWs or similar hand held rocket launchers. If you watch that Switchblade video, these things are tube launched from a basic mortar type launcher, which I assume are disposable. Perhaps they should make the Switchblade launchable from an actual mortar tube? Or the other concept would be to make a micro drone that could be launched from an RPG. Or make it like a LAW or AT -4?
The reason why I say make them launchable like this, is so that you can get these drones on top of the enemy as soon as possible. The enemy will have a running start if they see a force hand launch this drone. But if a team could shoot that UAV immediately above the battle space, then getting eyes on for the kill or for tracking purposes becomes more efficient and increases success. It can end the fight a lot quicker, if this was possible. I imagine the electronics would have to be pretty sturdy to withstand this kind of launch, but after all, they have done it with systems like the Javelin.
What is interesting too, is that drone archers would be more successful while the fight is in progress. Accurate fires in the direction of the enemy would help to keep them in place and behind cover, while at the same time the drone archer can get a UAV above that enemy element and go for a kill or for over watch purposes to help develop the situation and contribute to a team’s OODA. Interesting stuff. –Matt
Photo from Wired's Danger Room and the company website for MVR IV
Multi-Band Video Receiver (MVR IV)
Overview
The MVR-IV is a hand-held unit that receives real-time, full-motion video. Designed to work over the L, S and C bands, it provides situational awareness to ground troops from aircraft, UAV, or ground based video sources. The unit is compatible with standard-issue eyepiece and can be interfaced to a portable computer for video capture, manipulation (John Madden), retransmitting and storage. It is modular in design, is upgradeable for unit specific requirements (to include digital encoding), and works with all legacy video transmission systems. Digital link encryption for all bands is available.
