So you think you're unseen?

The latest generation of unmanned miniaturized vehicles might make you rethink that.

It was reported today by Defense Tech that swimmers can now be detected and targeted by a new device.

A determined enemy approaching alone from the sea may soon find himself intercepted and tracked by a torpedo-shaped drone that will sound an alarm, flash lights and spot his exact location in the water.

The model now on display at the Navy League's Sea Air Space symposium in Maryland, submerged in a water tank and bearing a slithery Moray Eel along its sides, is being developed by SAIC as a non-lethal warning system.

. . .

The roughly 5-foot long Reusable Unambiguous Swimmer Warning Vehicle can do up to 8 knots. Once launched, it heads directly for its target, slowing down when near it and rising to the surface where it continues to circle the suspect swimmer's position and relaying it to handlers aboard ship or in port.

The system is equipped with GPS for surface tracking and a three-axis digital compass for underwater work.

For now, the system is being developed purely as a defense, warning tool, which is how it was packaged when it was submitted for budget approval.

But the mission of the Integrated Swimmer Defense System is to develop a means of thwarting combat divers and swimmers, so it's likely whatever interceptor drone eventually is built and fielded will also come with a lethal option.

There's more at the link. Here's a video of the device on display.

I can see something like this being really useful to patrol harbors, rivers and important waterfront infrastructure. If it's equipped with something nasty, the life of swimmers trying to approach a target might become short and interesting!

Another development that's been around for some time, but is now in a new generation, is a miniaturized helicopter for surveillance.

The PD-100 Black Hornet 'nanocopter' is a long way from the remote control whirlybirds favoured by anorak-wearing model aeroplane enthusiasts.

They do not accelerate and decelerate like normal helicopters and, worst of all, they cannot hover.

Engineers behind the Black Hornet have developed a miniscule aircraft that will do all of those things, thanks to the 'smallest and lightest control servos in the world'.

Weighing in at just 0.5g, the tiny servos mean the PD-100 is even smaller than a toy battery helicopter.

Powered by an electric motor, the microcopter has 4in rotor blades, carries a tiny digital camera and flies at speeds of up to 20mph.




It has been tested successfully inside and outside in very light winds.

'The helicopter can be carried in a pocket and launched within seconds to give immediate situational awareness,' said Petter Muren, boss of manufacturers Prox Dynamics.

'It will be valuable in situations where a closer look at a hostile area or inside a contaminated building is crucial.

'We will be making military and civilian versions of the Black Hornet but it will be sold only to governments and their agencies.'

If anything were to happen to the aircraft whether due to flat batteries, a crash or even a rolled-up newspaper, no matter - several cheap replacements could easily be carried.

The standard package will come with three aircraft, a pocket controller and a charger.

There's more at the link. Here's a video of the little flying machine.

Not only will this and similar devices be invaluable to troops checking out buildings, it'll be valuable for police work as well. Do they have to deal with a shooter barricaded in a building, or a kidnapper holding someone hostage? They can send in one or two of these devices to pinpoint exactly where he's hiding, and the details of the surrounding area, so that their people can get in to deal with him as quickly and efficiently as possible. They might even be able to pinpoint his position so accurately that a sniper with a heavy rifle could shoot him through an exterior wall, if that's the only safe way to end proceedings.

We've heard all about Big Brother watching us, but now it looks like he has a lot of Little Brothers in the pipeline that'll make it easier for him to do so. That's not necessarily a bad thing . . . but such devices can erode civil liberties just as easily as they can serve a legitimate purpose. This will bear watching.

Peter.