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US Plans Dramatic Increase In Global Lethal & Surveillance Drone Flights By 2019

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Submitted by Claire Bernish via TheAntiMedia.org,

As if in complete defiance of the extensive contention at home and abroad, the Pentagon announced plans this week to dramatically ramp up global drone operations over the next four years.

Daily drone flights will increase by 50% during this time, and will include lethal air strikes and surveillance missions to deal with the increase in global hot spots and crises, according to an unnamed (and unverified) senior defense official, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.

“We’ve seen a steady signal from all our geographic combatant commanders to have more of this capability,” said Defense Department spokesperson, Navy Captain Jeff Davis to reporters at the Pentagon.

Capacity for lethal airstrikes — despite the U.S.’ existent infamous reputation in its massive current program — will increase still further through a joint effort by the Air Force, Army, and Special Operations Command. Ironically, this news comes on the heels of a report that — because of what amounts to sibling rivalry — around $500 million has been wasted in attempts to bring the Air Force and Army into a combined drone purchasing program of the same Predator drones whose flights are now to be increased.

“The combatant commanders and the Department of Defense need to take a truly joint approach to delivering the kinds of capabilities that remotely piloted aircraft can provide,” said retired Air Force three-star general David Deptula. “I’m glad to hear they’re taking a more joint approach. That’ll be a great help right there.”

According to the unnamed official, intelligence surveillance and collection will be broadened in Iraq, Syria, Ukraine, North Africa, and the South China Sea, among other locations.

Overall, daily drone flights have exponentially increased over the past decade — from about five in 2004 to 61 today, and a goal of around 90 by 2019. That would amount to 32,850 a year if the goal is met. The latest expansion is the largest since 2011.

Part of the reason for expansion is the current use of military drone flights on behalf of the CIA — as many as 22 of the 61 daily flights are committed to CIA surveillance missions. Using military personnel, the agency essentially directs the missions and benefits from the surveillance, and though the military can use the agency’s information, it isn’t in command of those flights and thus loses that capacity while they are deployed that way.

No budget figures were immediately available, but once they are, they will be subject to congressional approval.

Nearly 5,500 people have been killed in U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and Afghanistan, alone — of which nearly 1,100 were civilian casualties, including over 200 children, according to the Bureau for Investigative Journalism. Now, there is no way to avoid an increase in the number of civilians who pay with their lives for being in the wrong place when the U.S. feels the need to carry out more strikes.

As former drone sensor operator Brandon Bryant disturbingly told RT, “There was no oversight. I just know that the inside of the entire program was diseased and people need to know what happens to those that were on the inside. People need to know the lack of oversight, the lack of accountability, that happen.”

But they hate us for our freedom. Right?

 

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Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:12 | 6445283 zipit
zipit's picture

When will first non-military drone be used in "terrorist" attack?

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:15 | 6445299 Santini Air
Santini Air's picture

Not surprising that the crew that doesn't like Bitcoin also wants to shoot down drones.  We need to arm drones to blow away ignorant rednecks and technophobes....

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:27 | 6445324 cheech_wizard
cheech_wizard's picture

Everyone needs to arm their drones with EMP weaponry, just so bitcoins don't mean shit...

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:36 | 6445339 Santini Air
Santini Air's picture

Yeah cos EMPs are such a real threat lolololololol.....

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 19:42 | 6445485 realmoney2015
realmoney2015's picture

How about the 4th ammd? Where are the warrents? Yes, the US currently has lots of plans like this. We need people in office that will work to put an end to all this...

Let's see, which candidate filibustered to shed light on obama's drones??

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 20:44 | 6445660 insanelysane
insanelysane's picture

Merika; protecting the world from terrorists by arming other terrorists.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 21:00 | 6445705 juangrande
juangrande's picture

Which?

Thu, 08/20/2015 - 01:05 | 6446186 MontgomeryScott
MontgomeryScott's picture

WAS that the one who was interviewed on television after he was 'selected' by the PTB Republican Party and said that he wouldn't be opposed to the use of drones in the hands of the 'local police forces' to shoot and kill 'robbery suspects'?

OH. THAT one.

He's definetely NOT his father.

He's an eye, ear, nose, and DRONE doctor.

 

BLAND PAUL, from the BLAND CORPORATION.

YOU were driving the SAME CAR as the 'suspected perpetrator'.

OOPS! Sorry!

I'll be sure to send a 'presidential letter' on 'official stationary' to your 'next of kin', regarding the 'ultimate sacrifice' you made in the 'GWOT'.

     President Paul (but you can call me 'Bland').

 

Thu, 08/20/2015 - 01:09 | 6446194 Santini Air
Santini Air's picture

You shoot a drone and teh we will f*cking kill your whole family.  You hear teh we DUNCE CHILD?

Thu, 08/20/2015 - 01:30 | 6446208 MontgomeryScott
MontgomeryScott's picture

Damn, skippy.

This sounds like a personal threat.

WELL,

Come on over, and let's dance.

FUCK YOU, AND (SORRY, I'm trying to figure out WTF the 'hear teh we' shit actually means, and laughing so hard I can't continue)

UM...

COSCO PARTY BOI, perhaps? I don't understand WIEBO TRANSLATOR!

'Teh We'. That's like, um, a 'family name', I suppose.

I once knew a friend with the family surname 'Yong Fan'. Actually, the family had three sons who I was friends with. I'm RIGHT, and CORRECT, in assesing this family name of yours.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 22:27 | 6445908 MontgomeryScott
MontgomeryScott's picture

FUCK YOU, 'santini'.

GO TO HELL.

SERIOUSLY, get the fuck out of here.

I'd call you a prick, but that's part of a MAN'S body.

Don't take the dress off down there in Momma's basement, I'd rather bitch-slap you while you are showing your true self.

http://www.dhs.gov/news/2012/09/12/written-testimony-nppd-house-homeland...

http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2008/10/electromagnetic-pulse-e...

http://empcommission.org/

I see your SHITZCOIN went down dramatically today. Something about insiders stealing/hacking/fucking over people.

FUCK YOU, and GO THE HELL AWAY, you disinformation FUCK.

Thu, 08/20/2015 - 00:46 | 6446147 Santini Air
Santini Air's picture

Which fantasy are you pumping today?  EMPs?  Grey invasions?  What the fuck does that have to do with currency collapse you fucking tard?  Or can you even stay on topic?

Thu, 08/20/2015 - 01:15 | 6446200 MontgomeryScott
MontgomeryScott's picture

How's that 'fucking with the ZH thing' going for you today?

A 'mark to market' fantasy of epic proportions awaits (in your response).

UM, how about SHITZCOIN and DRONE USAGE?

WAIT!

YOU are the SHITZCOIN DRONE we've been WARNED ABOUT!

Wasn't it down to 221 FEDRESCRAP, today?

When you use whiteout to try to cover up the black lines in the portfolio, and too much jizm is spilled on your computer, it liquifies and turns GREY.

OH, I forgot. I am a 'TARD' (whatever the fuck THAT is). C'MON, HOMIE BOI, USE that NON-P.C. TERM, you fucking FAGGOT RETARD!

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 19:18 | 6445404 agent default
agent default's picture

Go to a salvage yard and grab a couple of ignition coils and a few large high voltage capacitors. Feel the power.

Forget about the drone it will get fried.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 23:20 | 6446029 MontgomeryScott
MontgomeryScott's picture

TRUE STORY:

I had to diagnose an A/C system issue on a 2013 Ford Escape, today. 2 years old, and 66,000 miles (BUT, NOT covered under warranty). The clutch coil on the compressor fried. Really. it had MELTED DOWN, dripping plastic crap all over. I would guess that it was supplied by COSCO (China, incorporated) or something.

ANYWAY, I pulled this crossdressing/crossover 'whatever' vehicle in, and all kinds of screens lit up, and every wi-fi device in the fucking WORLD can connect to it, and HOLY SHIT, all the BUTTONS (on the steering wheel, on the dash, all the 'touchscreen' shit). I was thinking (in memorium) of Micheal Hastings, and wondering if my brain would be able to handle the electronic onslaught (seriously getting a droning headache from all the E.M.F. coming out of the dash).

A 'couple of ignition coils' and a 'capacitor' wouldn't help THIS shithole of a 2.0 liter 'ecotec' should it pass within an electromagnetic field of sufficient strength. I WOULD contact R.J. Reynolds regarding the possibility of a short run of aluminium foil to wrap this 'thing' in, but it's hard to get 12-foot-long rolls of 'Reynold's Wrap' (not to mention that it must be up on a hoist to pull the aluminium foil around a couple of times).

 

O.K., Doc Brown, tell me which junkyards have a good supply of FLUX CAPACITORS for my TESLA COILS.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:29 | 6445320 sgt_doom
sgt_doom's picture

Yo, yo, O-dood in the White House.

When the eff are you going to release those 28 redacted pages from the 9/11 Commission Report, those very same pages that spineless congressmen have now perused and were shocked . . .shocked . . .shocked, and said we all would be incredibly shocked to read them?

I know why, because then we would all read that it was joint US-Saudi operation and because then you would once again stand before the American people and falsely proclaim (like you have constantly about the bankers and Monsanto) in typical jive-assed fashion, that they*** broke no laws when all those people died in the Twin Towers, at the Pentagon, and aboard those four airliners that day.

***Cheney, Rumsfeld // at the CIA: Buzzy Krongard and Alfreda Bikowsky Silverstein // at the NSA:  Gen. Hayden and William Wechsler // at the DIA:  Gen. Patrick Hughes // at the FBI: Robert Mueller, Frasca, Maltbie, Jeffrey Royer // at State Department:  Robin Raphel // at least two attorneys from the SEC // at least one person from EurekaGGN // Peter Janson at AMEC // Anthony Elgindy (since suicided, a very talkative fellow) the financial contact to // Adnan Khashoggi // at the Blackstone Group:  Peter G. Peterson and Stephen Schwarzman // at AIG:  Hank Greenberg // at Veritas Capital:  Robert McKeon (since suicided by self-strangulation {???} when incriminating evidence was found in a business unit sold by Veritas to BAE).

THEY broke no laws??????

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:43 | 6445352 Chupacabra-322
Chupacabra-322's picture

Arrest

Tri

Convict

Execute

In public view for all the World to see.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:46 | 6445360 Usurious
Usurious's picture

welfare/warfare............another zio/bankster wet dream

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 20:13 | 6445575 thetruthhurts
thetruthhurts's picture

One of my kids friends flys c-130's....He is getting pulled from the plane and retrained for.....drone flying...

he is not happy.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 23:42 | 6446047 MontgomeryScott
MontgomeryScott's picture

Did your 'kid's friend' participate in the C130 Corexit 9500(tm) spraying over the Gulf after the B.P. Mancondo shit?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtM58wPxf60

Watch it while you can. This one's on the 'memory Hole' list. Mirrored downloads are the ANATHEMA to the CONTROL GRID (deleted YouTube videos of the original, as an example).

I have NO SYMPATHY for your child's 'friend'. This young one CHOSE his master.

I'm truly SORRY.

 

ADDENDUM:

The USAF/'National Guard USAF Reserves' had a fleet of fully-equipped spray planes (INCLUDING C-130's) ALREADY PREPPED AND IN PLACE for this 'operation'. Don't even TRY to claim that they do not have the capability to; and the willingness to take part in the stratospheric geoengineering that is obvious all over the 'western world'. They built and equipped the fucking aircraft and deployed FLEETS of them to sink the oil spill (which were 'miraculously' ready to go at a moment's notice).

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:14 | 6445294 stant
stant's picture

Not be busting my ass to pay for them. Better hope the chinaman buys mor short term paper . Ops what happened last week

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:53 | 6445366 Chupacabra-322
Chupacabra-322's picture

Eisenhower warns us of the MIC

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8y06NSBBRtY

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 22:57 | 6445986 MontgomeryScott
MontgomeryScott's picture

We didn't listen.

WOE IS US!

 

I hear that Miley Cyrus might be guest-hosting the 'new, improved' SNL. Is she a 'tweaker slut', or a 'twerker slut'?

(Personally, I think she's a scrawny tweaking assfucking mindfucked whore owned by the CIA, but 80 million sheoples within occupied CONUS are still working on the FIRST question I posed, and will be 'tuning in' IF this show airs)

Eisenhower was a tinfoil hat-wearing nut-job conspiracy theorist who sat in mommy's basement.

WAIT. What do you MEAN, he was a famous commanding general of the USA in Europe during WWII, and a President as well? SNOPES checked it out, and it isn't true (and 'Mythbusters' did a whole 30-minute SHOW proving that this so-called 'guy' was NOT a REAL PERSON).

 

60 years ago. Three 'generations'. LO, how the MIGHTY have FALLEN!

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:16 | 6445297 Atomizer
Atomizer's picture

If your not buying treasures or bonds, we'll drone you as a terrorist suspect not paying into Federal Reserve debt remonetizing Quantitative Sneezing plan 

 

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:18 | 6445302 bigrooster
bigrooster's picture

When will there be drone strike on the terrorists and traitors in DC?  That is the real hot spot.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:21 | 6445311 G.O.O.D
G.O.O.D's picture

My thoughts exactly and truth is these drones cant be that hard to build/fly. How much longer before someone smuggles in the pieces for an armed drone and takes out key places/people? Skynet can fly both ways.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:25 | 6445317 freedogger
freedogger's picture

I'm hoping for one that throws pies at faces.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:53 | 6445369 Miffed Microbio...
Miffed Microbiologist's picture

The pigeon shooters had the right idea vs the animal rights whimps.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dAELplrEYu4

Miffed ;-)

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 22:42 | 6445949 MontgomeryScott
MontgomeryScott's picture

If any Chinese and Russian military ops specs are reading this in consideration of carrying out a pre-emptive strike (vis-a-vis 'the Bush doctrine'); would you PLEASE target the first thermonuclear hit over the Patomoc river? The 'sweet spot' is over the bridge that goes to Arlington. Pentagram AND greater D.C. would be taken out by, say, a 10 or 20-megaton burst from 2,000 feet.

The majority of the people within occupied CONUS hate these usurping warmongering control-freak neo-con/neolibs as much as YOU do.

While you're at it, think about the ultimate consequences of totalitarian communism/socialism (USGOVCONUSFEDRES being the prime example here).

While you're at it, could you take out NATO headquarters and the 'City'?

FUCK! I can't believe that I am posting this!

FUCK the PENTAGON!

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:21 | 6445312 Atomizer
Atomizer's picture

Out of curiosity, what is your EMF attack projections. 10:1, 5:1, or 2:1 ratio? 

Thu, 08/20/2015 - 00:02 | 6446092 MontgomeryScott
MontgomeryScott's picture

That's a difficult question to answer without full information as to the size, strength, and EMP hardening capabilities of the victim in question..

AFTER the CONUS is hit with a volley of EMP weapons, the 'hardened sites' would be most likely targeted with 'conventional nuclear weaponry'. Of course, the nukes going off arond the globe trying to take out the USMIL ships and subs would be like a Fourth of July thing, as well.

I'd give THIS one a 1-250 ratio, honestly.

I'd be more worried about the effects on the ionosphere as far as the survival of the human race (and all other living things on the globe), as far as the 'E.M.P.' weapons go.

There are REALLY and TRULY PSYCOPATHS and SOCIOPATHS that control these soon-coming events.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:27 | 6445323 buzzsaw99
buzzsaw99's picture

i used to wonder how nazi germany got the way it got and why so many german citizens went along with it. i don't wonder anymore.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:32 | 6445332 nmewn
nmewn's picture

Just smile & wave, smile & wave.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:40 | 6445346 Consuelo
Consuelo's picture

 

 

Drone flights in Syria, Ukraine and the South China Sea, Oh my...

Say, do S-400's have a nose for drones too...?   Just wondering.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:44 | 6445355 Vuke
Vuke's picture

It's hard to understand the thinking behind this strange decision. Surely, one day, it will blow back in some way.  Imagine Pakistani's, Afghani's, Iraqi's etc, launching drones in the U.S. to target neocons, Johm McCain, heck, even Barky.  'What's good for the goose....."

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 19:19 | 6445417 ToSoft4Truth
ToSoft4Truth's picture

Technically, couldn’t every ZH subscriber build a deluxe attack robot in his/her garage?  Coordinate a launch date then send them out.

Imagine this thing going berserk in a mall…. Or 25 in a heavily populated downtown environment.   Or even three or four taking over an expressway. 

$12,000 –

• Affordable, Miniature Humanoid Robot
• Comes with advanced computational power
• Standard PC-Based robot with convenient interfaces
• High payload capacity and dynamic motion ability
• This robot requires advanced programming and is not ready to be an autonomous companion

http://www.robotshop.com/en/robotis-darwin-humanoid-robot-deluxe-eu.html...

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:53 | 6445367 PrimalScream
PrimalScream's picture

WE ARE HEADED towards a future where the USA conducts regular  "robotic warfare" on the rest of the world. 

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 19:20 | 6445420 Who was that ma...
Who was that masked man's picture

As well as its own citizens.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 18:56 | 6445374 PoasterToaster
PoasterToaster's picture

Look, we all know that we the individual people who live in the territory claimed by the US Feudal State are responsible for all these dronings and global mass murder.  Because we all voted for it.  And our votes MATTER.

lol

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 19:00 | 6445378 logicalman
logicalman's picture

I'm not even slightly religious, but to borrow a phrase......

The earth needs a cleansing.

None of this shit would happen without fiat and cenral banks!

 

Thu, 08/20/2015 - 00:27 | 6446119 MontgomeryScott
MontgomeryScott's picture

"The earth needs a cleansing."

'THIS TOWN NEEDS AN ENEMA.'

(Joker, Gotham City, "Batman")

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1Tpe-dbPQI

A 'religion' by definition is something that a person does HABITUALLY AND WITHOUT FAIL. I RELIGIOUSLY brush my teeth after taking a shower in the morning (for example). In the so-called 'modern era', the word 'religion' has been twisted to mean something akin to the ceremonial worshipping of a 'diety' (worshipping whatever god you choose, whether he be a Hairy Conquorer, or a Cosmic Muffin).

It's time to face it. YOU are a fluke of the universe.

Central Banking and Fiat Currencies have been around since the Earth was formed/evolved/made via 'The Big Bang Theory'. They are a byproduct of the primordial sludge that was left over, and YOU, Mr. Beale, are fucking with the PRIMORDIAL FORCES OF THE UNIVERSE!

(ahem)

Did I make myself CLEAR, Mr. Beale?

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 19:03 | 6445389 ToSoft4Truth
ToSoft4Truth's picture

Who is getting the contracts?

Thu, 08/20/2015 - 00:46 | 6446143 MontgomeryScott
MontgomeryScott's picture

Dear (salutation added here)

I am happy to see one of my constituents ask my office about important questions regarding the use of taxpayer dollars. These honest concerns of our constituents should be and are of the utmost importance when dealing with/putting off honest debate regarding Federal taxpayer funding, involving YOUR MONEY (which really ISN'T YOURS to begin with).

I'm sorry, but revealing the names of the Corporations that donated to my campaign/are getting highly secretive contracts, to protect the motherland/homeland/fatherland are classified under USAPATRIOT (even to me).

Just be thankful to me that you are being protected, and still have cable channels that allow you to watch football and religious programming mantra (not to mention videos of that 'Miley Cyrus' Twerker. I really get off on that stuff...).

Sincerely,

Lindsay Graham (R. S.C.)

P.S.

If you wish to subscribe to my monthly newsletter and join the many millions who donate to me, simply click the 'like' button (or attend a Pastor Hagee service).

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 19:04 | 6445392 kchrisc
kchrisc's picture

Can't profit fast enough at the current level of killing.

Must up the killing and profits from killing.

That folks, is tyranny and Zion in a nutshell.

Zion is a scheme, not an ethnicity.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 19:20 | 6445418 Who was that ma...
Who was that masked man's picture

Yup.  Coming soon to a town or neighborhood near you.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 20:00 | 6445532 Moccasin
Moccasin's picture

We are all enemy combatants in our own homeland. I don't feel alone anymore.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 20:00 | 6445537 Chuck Knoblauch
Chuck Knoblauch's picture

Global includes domestic.

Just in case you're confused.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 20:03 | 6445546 Government need...
Government needs you to pay taxes's picture

So lethal drones strikes will soon be part of everyday Murrican life, as well. . . even if they are directed not by the .gov fuckwad tyrants, but rather hi-tech jihadis.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 21:40 | 6445797 WhackoWarner
WhackoWarner's picture

Hate to say but my "outside" view of TEAM USA sinks to new lows.

How efficient to take down citizens with police controlled drones that have no shoulder cams?  It's a win win situation.  Think of the homeless that could be eradicated?  Think of the graph that could be drawn on Wall St.  if unemployed could be droned off the stats?

 

Problem is where to bury the bodies?  Long funeral parlors and especially long composting in rural areas with barbed wire patrolled by......drones.

 

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 20:11 | 6445570 Vlad the Inhaler
Vlad the Inhaler's picture

Something to think about for all those who say Americans will never fire on their own people.

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 20:15 | 6445578 Prober
Prober's picture

"US Plans Dramatic Increase In Global Lethal & Surveillance Drone Flights By 2019"

YIPPPPEEEEE !!!!!!!!!!!

BEST NEWS I HAVE READ IN A LOOOOOOOONG TIME !!!!!!

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 20:46 | 6445667 me or you
me or you's picture

HAHAHAHA! 2019? Who the hell told them that the US of today will last that long?

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 21:31 | 6445777 lola jayne
lola jayne's picture

Just saw a drone for the second time outside my window today. Not far off, a couple streets away. Apparently NYC is a terrorist hotspot too. Our supine congress has allowed this to pass without comment, yet another violation of the Fourth.

 

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 21:34 | 6445785 WhackoWarner
WhackoWarner's picture

Oh Joy

Wed, 08/19/2015 - 22:19 | 6445885 q99x2
q99x2's picture

They are setting a bad example.

Thu, 08/20/2015 - 01:51 | 6446244 onmail
onmail's picture

That will raise Anti American sentiment to new high

prompting nuclear states to take action

America is only accelerating its chances of getting nuclear holocaust

(Btw , wherever the cabals go , a holocaust always follows them, unseen, this is the curse of Jesus)

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