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Plasma-propelled flying saucer
University of Florida researcher designs a plasma-propelled flying saucer — the patent application calls it “wingless electromagnetic air vehicle” — which may be used for surveillance purposes; vehicle powered by magnetohydrodynamics — the force created when a current or a magnetic field is passed through a conducting fluid
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Airlines may be forced to fit antiterror cameras in seats
The EU moves across a broad front to increase air travel safety; airlines will be forced to install spy-in-the-cabin cameras and increase the use of biometrics technology for passenger identification
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Worry: VoIP especially suitable for conveying hidden messages
Steganography involves concealing messages within digitally transmitted images or sound files; VoIP systems tolerate packet loss and have built-in redundancy, and are thus especially suitable for conveying hidden messages; law enforcement officials have expressed frustration about the difficulty of deciphering VoIP messages made by suspected terrorists using Skype
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Phase II for AV's nano aircraft
Tiny UAV — 7.5 cm wing span, 10 grams in weight — to be used by military, law enforcement to gather information outdoors and indoors
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In-flight surveillance could foil terrorists in the sky
Big Brother comes to the skies: EU-funded aviation security system uses a camera in every passenger’s seat, with six wide-angle cameras to survey the aisles; software on the computer to which the cameras are connected detects suspicious behavior of passengers — from air rage to terrorist intent
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Surveillance systems for Singapore
The Port of Singapore is the world’s largest container transshipment hub, handling around 27 million containers last year; U.K. CCTV company wins large contract to secure the port
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Pentagon wants laser attack warnings for satellites
The U.S. economy and military capabilities are dependent on satellites for communication and information gathering; growing anti-satellite warfare capabilities — for example, by China — lead Pentagon to seek a measure of protection for space-based assets
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Australia to use UAVs to bolster border security
Australia’s customs agency has been testing an Israeli-made UAV in efforts to enhance the security of the country’s borders
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Boeing Hummingbird breaks heavy UAV endurance record
Boeing’s unmanned rotorcraft breaks endurance record: it flies for nearly 19 hours, carrying a 300-pound internal payload at altitudes up to 15,000 feet, and landing with more than 90 minutes worth of fuel in reserve
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Chinese spy network steals U.S. UAV secrets
Chinese intelligence service plants a spy at the University of Tennessee - he was masquerading as a graduate research assistant - and recruit a retired professor and a local company to steal advanced UAV designs
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U.K. to store all phone calls and e-mails
The U.K. Home Office plans to create a massive database to store every person’s e-mails, phone calls, text messages, and Internet use; police and security services would only be granted access to the information after seeking permission from the courts
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Flying saucers, tiny helicopters compete in British war game
The U.K. Ministry of defense held its first Grand Challenge technology competition last week; six finalists receive $600,000 each to develop their concepts into machines; finalists will meet for mock battle in August
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China sets to limit Internet access to Olympic visitors
Senator Sam Brownback charges that China has instructed U.S.-owned hotels in China to filter their guests’ Internet connections before the Olympic Games start in August; some question Brownback’s assertion — saying that Internet access in China is already filtered at the ISP level
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Milestone for MQ-1 Predator deployment
Predators’ combat air patrols over Iraq has reached new, well, heights, two years ahead of schedule; new operational concept — remote split operations – enhances operational effectiveness
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Plasma-powered flying saucer for surveillance
Passing a current of magnetic field through a conducting fluid generates force; a new patent application shows how this phenomenon — magnetohydridynamics — may be used as a form of propulsion
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More headlines
The long view
Using Drone Swarms to Fight Forest Fires
Forest fires are becoming increasingly catastrophic across the world, accelerated by climate change. Researchers are using multiple swarms of drones to tackle natural disasters like forest fires.
Testing Cutting-Edge Counter-Drone Technology
Drones have many positive applications, bad actors can use them for nefarious purposes. Two recent field demonstrations brought government, academia, and industry together to evaluate innovative counter-unmanned aircraft systems.