Insurgents in Iraq used software costing just £16 to hack into live video feeds from Predator drones, a key device for US aerial surveillance Photo: AP
Under President Barack Obama, the CIA has stepped up its drone strikes in the tribal zone of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan, raising questions about their usage.
A drone is an aircraft that flies without a crew on board. Their largest use is in military operations, for reconnaissance and attack missions.
Some drones are piloted remotely, while others follow a preprogrammed flight path.
The use of unmanned aircraft carrying cameras or sensors to gather intelligence started in the 1950s and has developed steadily since then.
They were first used by the military in the 1980s and developed by Israel. Israel is still a major producer and user of drones, gathering military intelligence about its Arab neighbours.
Militaries around the world have become increasingly interested in employing drones as they are seen as cheaper, more capable fighting machines that operate without risking the lives of a crew.
Drones can hover over the battlefield for up to 24 hours at altitudes greater than 60,000 feet, providing real-time intelligence to commanders who may be far away from the scene of the engagement.
However, critics point out that drones can often kill innocent victims.
Pakistan has objected to drone attacks inside the country, saying that it is a violation of its territory and undermines efforts to tackle militants.
By telegraph.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment