zlacker

>>pera+(OP)
This was very predictable. Tools invented for military operations abroad eventually, predictably find their way back domestically.

Despite that, its a dangerous thing to happen. I am aware of how unlikely it is for the current US Government to use the drone offensively, but once you have a massive fleet of drones flying over the US, patrolling "troubling" neighborhoods constantly, the temptation to use those abilities rises significantly.

I hope that Congress takes action to outlaw this practice, but I have little faith it will happen. It seems like everyday the country is falling further into the pit of becoming an authoritarian police state.

>>pm90+Qf
Where do you draw the distinction between a drone (presumably unarmed) vs a police helicopter?

>>beambo+Mg
Police helicopters don't have hellfire missiles as standard optional armament.

Also police helicopters are operated by local/state forces. This is a federal agency which is way out of its jurisdiction.

>>r00fus+ai
Do 70mm rockets count?

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Local-police-...

But really, there's little difference between a lot of civilian and light military aircraft. The Bell 206 that your local news station probably flies around was developed as a military helicopter.

>>kube-s+Nl
The police aren't getting the 70mm rockets, or the launchers for them nor are the police pilots trained to use them. There's really almost no difference between the civilian Bell 204/212 and the military Huey, and Bell has sold lots of civilian Hueys. I really can't see what the problem would be with the military surplussing them to the police.