Navy May Use Mine-Detecting Dolphins In the Straight of Hormuz 204
New submitter cervesaebraciator writes "The Atlantic Wire reports that the Navy has a tested solution to the possible mining of the Strait of Hormuz. The Navy has 80 dolphins in San Diego Bay trained to use their own sonar to detect mines. When they find the mines, the dolphins drop an acoustic transponder nearby, so that human divers might return to defuse it. Retired Adm. Tim Keating cannot say, however, whether the dolphins will be used in the Straight."
The Obama administration has reportedly warned Iran that closing the Strait would provoke an American response.
Sharks instead? (Score:5, Funny)
With lasers of course...
So long... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Sharks instead? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Sharks instead? (Score:5, Funny)
But they have lasers
(b) Would you really want to train a shark?
Yes
Re:Sharks instead? (Score:3, Funny)
(a) Sharks don't have sonars;
They do if you install one on them.
They already got lasers.
Obama to Iran: (Score:4, Funny)
"This is what I say to Iran. Let me be absolutely clear. If you close the Strait of Hormuz you are making the choice to put innocent dolphins in harms way. The American people will hold YOU responsible for their deaths. Think carefully."
Re:Dolphins ... right. (Score:5, Funny)
Given how intelligent dolphins are, and how much technology and money it would take to replicate the functions and capabilities of a living creature, I don't think your view plays out. You talk about how expensive it would be to train dolphins, but it would be many more times expensive to use hardware instead.
I work at a university, and this is yet another case where the world should look to academia for the solution.
You need a cheap yet intelligent work force that's willing to work long hours and isn't overly picky about working conditions? That's easy - that's what grad students are for. They're easily replaceable too!
Re:Sharks instead? (Score:5, Funny)
(a) Sharks don't have sonars; (b) Would you really want to train a shark?
I thought they all went to law school?
Re:Simple countermeasure - use anti-personnel mine (Score:5, Funny)
[...] during a typical navel exercise [...]
you made my day here
PETA (Score:3, Funny)
Given how intelligent dolphins are, and how much technology and money it would take to replicate the functions and capabilities of a living creature, I don't think your view plays out. You talk about how expensive it would be to train dolphins, but it would be many more times expensive to use hardware instead.
We could use members of PETA.
They're all vegans and therefore are skinnier than shit and wouldn't have any sonar profile.
They're all super angry so if we told them that the Iranians were using mines to kill cute cuddly something or anothers, they'd be out there with sledge hammers.
And then if we provided "proof" that the Iranians used dead (by clubbing) baby seals, well that'd be the end of that!
Imagine an army of waifs storming into Iran.
Re:Sharks instead? (Score:5, Funny)
Training sharks is a very expensive business - it cost me an arm and a leg...
Re:straight straits (Score:5, Funny)
Thank-you for setting the record strait. :)