Real Life Shadowrun: Police Drones with Weapons, This can't be good. Options

[Yerameyahu]

http://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/10/29/123...tional-in-texas

'The aircraft has the capability to have a number of different systems on board. Mostly, for law enforcement, we focus on what we call less lethal systems,' he said, including Tazers that can send a jolt to a criminal on the ground or a gun that fires bean bags known as a 'stun baton.' 'You have a stun baton where you can actually engage somebody at altitude with the aircraft. A stun baton would essentially disable a suspect,' he said. The MK-III also has more lethal options available, capable of carrying either a 40mm or 37mm grenade launcher or 12 gauge shotgun with laser designator.

[Erik Baird]

Original article here. Given that's it's only a 50lb helicopter drone, it ain't gonna carry a lot of weaponry, but I could see a shotgun on it. The nicest thing for the users is that it has a FLIR system.

[Neraph]

I love living in Texas.

By the way, this has already been done in the UK, and the second day of operation it aided in an arrest. It's not neccessarily a bad thing for the police force to get more advanced tools to do their job more efficiently.

EDIT: The arguments I heard against it were that it could see people from above (like a police helicopter...) or that it could attack people from above (.... like a police helicopter). Weak arguments, IMHO. Even the constitutional lawyer said that as long as it is not used for surveillance against people without warrant it is perfectly legal.

[CanRay]

Are they black and stealthed?

[Yerameyahu]

Being legal doesn't make it good. Personally, I'd rather not have a flying drone with a *grenade launcher* in the hands of, say, the Oakland anti-99% thugs. And I'm sure they'll never break any of the rules using it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) But, I wasn't posting this as a political statement.

[CanRay]

One issue I can think of with a Drone Helo rather than a Piloted one is this: Hackability. If you get someone that's able to take control over the bloody thing... Well...

'Course, we haven't heard of too many UAVs going rogue, so maybe that thought is not as problematic as I might think...

[Daylen]

One issue I can think of with a Drone Helo rather than a Piloted one is this: Hackability. If you get someone that's able to take control over the bloody thing... Well...

'Course, we haven't heard of too many UAVs going rogue, so maybe that thought is not as problematic as I might think...

I wonder if any criminals will start learning how to build broad band spectrum jammers to inhibit drones like this one...

[Erik Baird]

There are non-lethal ammunition types for grenade launchers- beanbags, rubber pellet canister, stacked rubber slugs, and tear gas. One could make a RL Taser round (there is one for 12 ga. shotguns, and I doubt it would be much trouble to scale the design up). Pretty much anything made for shotguns also works for 40mm.

This design certainly couldn't mount a Mk-19 or AGS-17, though. Those weigh more or almost as much as the drone, respectively, and then you still need ammo. Certainly no room for a water cannon to use on all those unwashed hippies. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[CanRay]

I wonder if any criminals will start learning how to build broad band spectrum jammers to inhibit drones like this one...

It's called a Baby Monitor from the 1980s. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

There are non-lethal ammunition types...

Yeah, 'cause those worked so well for the Oakland PD, eh? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[Erik Baird]

Last I heard, nobody died, so... yep.

[WhiskeyJohnny]

There are non-lethal ammunition types...

Not really. There's a reason they call them "Less-Lethal" rather than "Non-Lethal" these days, and it's not just semantics.

I wonder if the Police have done something to deal with the UAV video feed hacking issues...

[Erik Baird]

Indeed, but just about anything can be used to kill, whether it was designed for that purpose or not. The responsibility usually lies with the user, not the manufacturer. If you look hard enough, you'll probably find a case where someone was killed with a pool noodle.

[HunterHerne]

Indeed, but just about anything can be used to kill, whether it was designed for that purpose or not. The responsibility usually lies with the user, not the manufacturer. If you look hard enough, you'll probably find a case where someone was killed with a pool noodle.

I'm really not sure of that. It would be a lot easier to kill bare knuckled. In fact, the only way I can think of, would be to force the person to swallow a big enough chunk that it gets stuck in their throat. Beating won't work, it's too thick for a noose-like idea, and I imagine it's too sturdy, but soft, to strangle someone. Unless you just used it as a cushion to hide marks, but that's more a tool for masking cause, then actually causing death with.

[CanRay]

Indeed, but just about anything can be used to kill, whether it was designed for that purpose or not. The responsibility usually lies with the user, not the manufacturer. If you look hard enough, you'll probably find a case where someone was killed by a pool noodle.

Pool Noodle + Wool Sock + Arrow = Flammable Launcher according to the Toronto Police Department.

According to the guy that made them, he was going LARPing, and was nowhere near the summit where the security was.

[HunterHerne]

Pool Noodle + Wool Sock + Arrow = Flammable Launcher according to the Toronto Police Department.

According to the guy that made them, he was going LARPing, and was nowhere near the summit where the security was.

I stand corrected.

[Erik Baird]

Pool Noodle + Wool Sock + Arrow = Flammable Launcher according to the Toronto Police Department.

According to the guy that made them, he was going LARPing, and was nowhere near the summit where the security was.

To be fair, I'm pretty sure the guy in this case was just a LARPer, unless the G&M forgot to mention that he had a buddy with a can of gasoline. I was really thinking more along the lines of using pool noodles for suffocation.

[CanRay]

To be fair, I'm pretty sure the guy in this case was just a LARPer, unless the G&M forgot to mention that he had a buddy with a can of gasoline. I was really thinking more along the lines of using pool noodles for suffocation.

He is a LARPer, and used to travel on the Bus and Subways in Toronto to the events frequently. He was very upset that his armour was shown as well, as he worries he'll be figured to be some kind of terrorist.

Indeed, but just about anything can be used to kill, whether it was designed for that purpose or not.

You know, this might explain why I was never teased or bullied in Woodworking or Auto Shop. The teachers were scared of me in those classes.

Didn't help in Electrical Class. I only electrocuted myself in that class twice.

And, um, once in Auto Shop. Still trying to figure that one out.

[Neraph]

He is a LARPer, and used to travel on the Bus and Subways in Toronto to the events frequently. He was very upset that his armour was shown as well, as he worries he'll be figured to be some kind of terrorist.You know, this might explain why I was never teased or bullied in Woodworking or Auto Shop. The teachers were scared of me in those classes.

Didn't help in Electrical Class. I only electrocuted myself in that class twice.

And, um, once in Auto Shop. Still trying to figure that one out.

Unless my eyes deceive me, that armor is scale armor, not chain as is stated in the article.

[Erik Baird]

Yep, and it looks like it's made from the scales that The Ring Lord sells.

[CanRay]

Unless my eyes deceive me, that armor is scale armor, not chain as is stated in the article.

Journalism in Canada has fallen very downhill, according to my Great Aunt (Who used to be, amongst other things, an Editor. And reads a half-dozen newspapers a day or some insane thing like that. She also smokes like a chimney and could probably out drink Sir John A. MacDonald... Well, aside from him being dead and all.).

The only thing they get worse than names and anything military (Even ancient military) is firearms of any types: "It was a ultra-modern, high-caliber, bolt-action, fully automatic assault rifle." = SMLE Mk. III/No.1 or No. 4 shown on the TV screen.

[Yerameyahu]

It's the user we're concerned about, Erik. And if that user doesn't have these toys, he can't abuse them. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[CanRay]

First Beatniks, next Hippies, now it's Gamers?

[Saint Hallow]

I think it's great. I always believe in giving any group the toys/tools to either enhance themselves or hang themselves. Either 1 of 3 things happen...

1. The drone is used well, spots dangerous/illegal activities & proves to be a useful tool.
2. The drone does badly (accidentally kills someone & the police are sued for wrongful death) and the entire project goes away.
3. The drone does neither well or bad, proves to be useless & is scrapped/tabled & collects dust until its sold to a collector or someone with enough disposable income to want to have it.

2 out of the 3 cases has the drone shelved & collecting dust until it's sold to someone's private collection. Good thing out of that is someone gets their own drone. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[CanRay]

4. Criminals go "Bird Hunting" for drones using Shotguns.

[Neraph]

4. Criminals go "Bird Hunting" for drones using Shotguns.

... And get stuck with the $300,000 bill for the drone, not to mention a charge of Destruction of City Property.