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
Are you sure? Police use military surplus helicopters, such as the Cobra and Black Hawk, both of which can be armed with hellfires.

>>ip26+tk
Which police forces use Cobra helicopters? These are gunships that have no utility what so ever.

As for Blackhawks I’ve never seen them used by police forces, those in civilian use are not surplus military helicopters or even the UH-60 but rather it’s civilian version the Sikorsky S-70 which are used by fire departments and search and rescue crews.

>>dogma1+vo
The Mexican Federal Police operate 6 Blackhawks provided by the US CBP. But it would be fair to say they serve a more militarized role than say Seattle PD.

https://youtu.be/mBTs6BGMa3U