Sun, Nov 19, 2006
Flying Robot Would Serve Spy, Anti-Personnel Role
Israeli scientists are
developing a flying robotic anti-personnel weapon capable of
chasing, photographing and even killing its targets.
According to a Reuters report, Israel is using nanotechnology to
build a flying robot nicknamed the "bionic hornet." It would be
small enough to navigate through narrow openings to otherwise
unreachable targets.
Israeli deputy prime minister Shimon Peres told Reuters, "The
war in Lebanon proved that we need smaller weaponry. It's illogical
to send a plane worth $100 million against a suicidal terrorist. So
we are building futuristic weapons."
Planners say such a small weapon would have proven extremely
useful in an urban warfare setting.
Enemies hiding amid buildings and houses must be attacked by
foot soldiers -- usually at the cost of high casualties -- or
bombed with artillery or aircraft. Israel faced a severe backlash
in the world press for civilian casualties resulting from its air
attacks on Lebanon during the most recent flare-up of
hostilities.
The bionic hornet is one of several weapons scientists are
researching in Israel. Another is a set of so-called super gloves
that would give their wearers extraordinary strength -- the
strength of a "bionic man" according to reports.
All of Israel's nanotech weaponry is intended specifically to
combat militants according to Peres. The army faces many
unsolved problems in dealing with militant attacks and
it hopes to find answers in this research.
Peres says Israel expects prototypes for the new weapons within
three years.
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