Fear The Reaper

by JonasLamis on August 29, 2007

With 3750 lbs of armaments, a top speed of 300 mph, and the ability to circle the battlefield at 50,000 ft and stay aloft for 16 hours, the new squadron of Reaper unmanned aircraft recently deployed to Afghanistan unleash a new breed of hell on the conflict. As reported in USA Today and elsewhere, this squadron of 4 planes will grow to 20 over the next year, and will also begin to see a role in Iraq hot-spots.Air Force officials cite the June 2006 killing of al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was tracked by a Predator but ultimately killed by bombs dropped by an F-16. The Reaper “is ideal for that type of target,” said Lt. Col. Gregory Christ, director of staff at Creech Air Force base where the squadron is based.Clearly firepower and military might can be applied to get ‘r done, but what are the ethical implications of an increasingly risk-less (and perhaps autonomous) military?

The Reaper