From: Adam <""4thwormcastfromthemolehill\"{at}the field.near
the bridge">

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1164881864424&pagename=JPost%2FJPArt
icle%2FShowFull

"n an effort to put a stop to Israeli overflights in Lebanon, the
French Armed Forces has deployed an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) squadron
in southern Lebanon to conduct intelligence-gathering missions in place of
the IDF. "

"According to Israeli defense sources, the French initiative is also
meant to prove the operational capabilities of its UAVs so they can compete
against Israeli defense industries on the global UAV market.

While welcoming the use of UAVs as part of UNIFIL operations in Lebanon, a
high-ranking officer said Sunday that the IDF would not stop flying over
Lebanon. "


A drone can survey both sides of a border. Both Syria & Israel can be
watched night & day & dependent upon the drone... (note the
"prove the operational capabilities") can notice the fact of an
Israeli flight over lebanon almost from the moment the israeli aircraft
lifts off.

Interesting. D'you know there is a plan for a drone version of the JSF?

I would hope that any gov buying such a device makes sure the control
software is it's own hence :

http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/12/08/Navigation/177/210990/UK+parlia
mentary+defence+committee+urges+'Plan+B'+second+choice+if+JSF+technology+transf
er+issues.html

"The UK should refuse to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU)
covering its continued involvement in the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike
Fighter project unless the US government provides the required guarantees
on technology transfer arrangements later this month, says a new report
from a cross-party committee.

“If the required assurances are not obtained by the end of the year, we
recommend that the MoD [Ministry of Defence] switch the majority of its
effort and funding on the programme into developing a fallback ‘Plan B’, so
that an alternative aircraft is available in case the UK has to withdraw
from the programme,” says the House of Commons Defence Committee, which
scrutinises the defence ministry's activities and expenditure."

US basically won't hand over the fcs software in an "open source
between gov's" kind of way. Compiled binaries only so to speak.

&

"Earlier assessments into an alternative to the short take-off and
vertical landing F-35B included carrier-capable versions of the Boeing
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and extended
use of BAE Systems’ Harrier GR7/9."

Old news......

Now ....

http://www.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&q=UK+Qinetiq+UAV

Note the use of the strange name qinetiq in the search string...

e.g.

http://www.washingtontechnology.com/news/1_1/daily_news/29828-1.html

"BAE Systems Plc won a $224 million contract to develop an unmanned
aerial vehicle demonstration project known as Taranis for the U.K. Ministry
of Defence.

The award was announced by Smith Aerospace, which is a subcontractor on the
project along with Rolls-Royce Plc and QinetiQ Group Plc. All three
companies are based in the United Kingdom.

The four-year Taranis project will develop a UAV with fully integrated
autonomous systems and low observable features. The work is part of a
strategic UAV experimental program sponsored by the British government.
Industry partners also are contributing to the project.

Taranis’ ground testing is expected to take place in early 2009 with the
first flight trials taking place in 2010.

BAE Systems also will provide low observability, systems integration,
control infrastructure and full autonomy elements in partnership with
QinetiQ. Rolls-Royce will handle next generation propulsion installation
and Smiths Aerospace will apply its vehicle systems. BAE Systems Integrated
System Technologies will contribute command, control, communications,
target acquisition and reconnaissance work."

The real Plan B?

Note the last paragraph & especially the first sentence of the last paragraph.

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