Grenade-Style Wireless Camera For Combat

nk497 writes "A new wireless camera called the I-Ball is being developed to be shot into locations using a grenade launcher so troops can see what lies ahead. The I-Ball sends real-time, 360-degree video back to soldiers while it's flying through the air and when it lands."

Re:screw warfare - how about BASEBALL

[Explodicle]

The problem with using one of these in a baseball is that it would have to retain a standard ball's size, weight, stiffness, and elasticity.

Re:overkill

[maz2331]

Good idea if it helps to avoid blowing up non-combatants, and useful for knowing where to call in the 500 pound bomb if necessary.

As a general rule, it is always advisable to avoid barbequeing women and children who aren't involved in the fight if it's at all possible to do so. It's counterproductive and feeds the enemy's propaganda machine.

Re:Lemme get this straight...

[oodaloop]

Because our UAVs are FAR more than just a plane with a webcam on it. The one referenced above uses milimeter radar. Does your webcam do that? I'm more familiar with the Predator, and if you could see it in action, your mouth would water. Though it still doesn't do it justice, try this article:

http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=122

Re:overkill

[AceM2]

Obviously the figure was an obvious exaggeration. If I had the exact number I would have referenced it. You obviously missed the point.

Re:overkill

[AceM2]

Oh, now I made a grammatical error. That must mean I'm a complete idiot!

Re:overkill

[CodeBuster]

Have you ever thrown hand grenades? The typical response of a target, providing that they detect the threat and there is time to act (which there will be if you are waiting for the video feed to be acquired so that you can check for the bad guys before detonating remotely), is to either get out of the way (jump into or behind cover or just run) OR pick up the grenade and throw it as far away as possible (preferably in the direction that it came from, although that is not always possible). It is therefore common practice for users to arm the grenade (pull the pin and flip the safety) prior to a delayed throw so as to allow the enemy as little time as possible to react (ideally the grenade lands close to or on the enemy and then immediately explodes with zero reaction time allowed). The other desirable features of modern hand grenades include cheapness, ruggedness, and reliability. Anything which lessens those or other essential features will likely NOT be looked upon favorably by the military.

Re:overkill

[Cussin_IT]

The figure could be made up, but I suspect that the GGP didn't mean "percent of attacks made" but rather something more like "percent of bullets fired". One in a million bullets hitting a civilan sounds more likly than one in a million attacks resulting in civilian casualtys.

Of course the number is quite obviously made up, so it's all down to perception. Just my 2c worth.

Re:overkill

[CodeBuster]

One should never underestimate the ability of militias or irregular fighters to adapt and acquire advanced weapons or technology. For example, the Tamil Tigers Air Force [wikipedia.org] have in recent years surprised and embarrassed the Sri Lankan government by acquiring and modifying several light aircraft for bombing missions. The regular Sri Lankan Air Force and Army, despite being equipped with relatively modern fighter jets and anti-aircraft artillery, have been unable to stop continuing attacks of jury rigged bombers run by a bush league air force.

Re:A no-deposit/no-return drone?

[legirons]

I sure hope these things are less than $100... hell, less than $10 for that matter. I sure as hell don't think we need to waste that kind of money on stuff the enemy might take home as a souvenir.

From the army which are spending $25,000 per shot on their grenades [wikipedia.org]? Dream on.

Splinter Cell?

[Otto95]

I'm confused, hasn't Sam Fisher been using this for years? http://splintercell.wikia.com/wiki/Sticky_Camera [wikia.com]

Re:Old news day on slashdot?

[mortonda]

And it seems these type of threads are always started newbs who think 6 digit uid's are old. ;)

Re:WTF is a bad guy?

[Kris Thalamus]

They do not want lefty intellectual types who are going to sit there in the middle of fire fight and agonize over whether or not to pull the trigger...

You don't have to be a lefty to consider whether or not your target is a threat before pulling the trigger.