A Line Crossed? Armed Police UAVs In Texas | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

 Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-04.29.24

Airborne-NextGen-04.30.24

 Airborne-Unlimited-05.01.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers--05.02.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.03.24

Thu, Nov 03, 2011

A Line Crossed? Armed Police UAVs In Texas

DHS-Funded Vanguard Shadowhawk Can Fire Grenades

We've become accustomed to hearing reports of unmanned aircraft carrying weapons in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, a drone with similar capabilities is being put in the hands of Texas law enforcement.

The aircraft is a Shadowhawk, built by Vanguard Defense, which The Blaze reports costs about $250,000. The Montgomery Sheriff's Office has obtained one with the help of a grant from the US Department of Homeland Security. It's much smaller than a Predator, at six feet long and 29 pounds.

The UAV is equipped with infrared imaging, and officially, the sheriff's office says the primary mission of the drone for now is for missing persons cases. But it's equipped with grenade launchers, expected to be used by police for tear gas cannisters, and on its website, Vanguard touts the potential for use in high risk warrant, hostage rescue, domestic violence situations.

Comments posted by readers on news websites suggest not everyone's comfortable arming local police agencies with airborne grenade launchers. Even in Texas.

FMI: www.vanguarddefense.com

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.01.24): Say Altitude

Say Altitude Used by ATC to ascertain an aircraft's specific altitude/flight level. When the aircraft is climbing or descending, the pilot should state the indicated altitude round>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.01.24)

Aero Linx: European Air Law Association (EALA) EALA was established in 1988 with the aim to promote the study of European air law and to provide an open forum for those with an int>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: Korean War Hero Twice Reborn

From 2023 (YouTube Version): The Life, Death, Life, Death, and Life of a Glorious Warbird In 1981, business-owner Jim Tobul and his father purchased a Chance-Vought F4U Corsair. Mo>[...]

Airborne 04.29.24: EAA B-25 Rides, Textron 2024, G700 Deliveries

Also: USCG Retires MH-65 Dolphins, Irish Aviation Authority, NATCA Warns FAA, Diamond DA42 AD This summer, history enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to experience World Wa>[...]

Airborne Affordable Flyers 05.02.24: Bobby Bailey, SPRG Report Cards, Skydive!

Also: WACO Kitchen Bails, French SportPlane Mfr to FL, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Innovation Preview Bobby Bailey, a bit of a fixture in sport aviation circles for his work with>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Change Display

Headlines Only | Headlines w/ Teasers | View Everything

Advertisement

Top Videos

Airborne 05.03.24: Advanced Powerplant Solutions, PRA Runway Woes, Drone Racing

Airborne Affordable Flyers 05.02.24: Bobby Bailey, SPRG Report Cards, Skydive!

Airborne 05.01.24: WACO Kitchen, FAA Reauthorization, World Skydiving Day

See All

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC