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Great find. I have read several articles on this issue and this is the first that has mentioned WSGI.
"The DHS has teamed up with the World Surveillance Group, Inc., to develop technologies specializing in “chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive (collectively, CBRNE), command, control, computers, communication, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR), and unmanned aerial systems (UAS).” "
Warp and Hog, Thanks for sharing my worries. I also agree that the people behind the controls are the weak point. Cant trust cops to protect us when they are already invading our privacy.
http://www.mintpress.net/audits-reveal-law-enforcement-abuse-drivers-license-databases-across-nation/
The audit, conducted by the state’s legislative auditor, Jim Nobles, revealed the practice was widespread, including 99 law enforcement personnel.
And it’s not just in Minnesota.
In Florida, the Driving and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID), saw an increase of mistreatment in 2012 at the hands of law enforcement officials. The Orlando Sentinel reported in January that more than 70 law enforcers were suspected of accessing DAVID out of turn.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Statistics show a jump of improper use of the database from 15 in 2011 to 74 in 2012.
Of those officers who took liberty to access the database, many of them were doing so for strictly personal reasons. In one case, an officer looked up the information of a local bank teller whom he thought was flirting with him, according to the Sentinel.
"Recent applications to the FAA, obtained by the civil liberties group Electronic Freedom Foundation, indicate many police want drones for drug investigations, covert surveillance and high-risk tactical operations."
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100515357
CT. I dont understand why you keep up the narative without any factual basis to support your claims. You remember my previous post don't you?
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=80884154
If you insist on calling the company a "proven scam" please post a link showing your factual basis for this lie.
"defamation (of character) n. the act of making untrue statements about another which damages his/her reputation. If the defamatory statement is printed or broadcast over the media it is libel and, if only oral, it is slander. Public figures, including officeholders and candidates have to show that the defamation was made with malicious intent and was not just fair comment. Damages for slander may be limited to actual (special) damages unless there is malice. Some statements such as an accusation of having committed a crime, having a feared disease, or being unable to perform one's occupation are called libel per se or slander and can more easily lead to large money awards in court and even punitive damage recovery by the person harmed."
Are you sure you want to keep this up?
It was late. This is a better response: (please see my bold)
"Would a lawsuit be dismissed out of hand based on posting the accusation on this board? IMO, posting on this board is a publication to a third party. I don't need to know it is winnable, winning is often just getting your day in court.
My second question would be, do you think a shareholder or group of shareholders could bring such action? Anyone can file a lawsuit for just about any reason regardless of the validity of the claims. How far the action goes (and the consequenses therefrom) all depend on the quality of the attorneys involved and strength of your case. This is where I advise that you should discuss any and all of this with your attorney. In other words, if I deem a person's actions were malicious and intended to lower the share price of a stock I own, would I have standing to bring an action in court. I hate using this source, but please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derivative_suit for more information. If this does not help then you can contact BJ and she can explain (or she will tell you to contact your attorney).
I am just asking because if that is the case, all of us should be circumspect about our statements here. Absolutely. You could say that the best defense against libel is the truth (it is), but if I have to pay to defend that I am speaking/writing the truth, that is certainly an unwelcome cost. Google it up on the internet and give me your layman's perspective if that is possible." This is stricly a layman's perspective. This is not to be construed as advise in anyway (other than contacting your attorney if you are serious)
Warp, I appreciate both of your replies.
However, I will correct one of your statements. I am not a current (or past) investor. IMO, there will be one more round with LJ that will keep the price down (but I could be wrong). I will buy then. After that, only up up and away.
Not sure how to answer...
Please contact BJ with these issues. If the company does not respond to demands, shareholders have rights.
This is the future of the war. What is not included is there is probably 12-20 special ops there as well. The BIB would be perfect as a secondary system for the home base or for a FOB for the special ops unit.
Warp, I am going to butt in this time with a correction. WSGI, Sanswire, Gtel, etc. was never proven to be a scam. Please do not give creedence to this false narative.
please see my earlier post:
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=80884154
This happens more than I care to admit. Florida pushes itself as a business hub/link between latin america and europe.
Great link. Information rules all.
Thank you. We have talked about connecting the "dots" in the past. The dot here is the fighting the next war, not the last war. IMO, we are not going to have another major standoff with a semi-superpower for 25-50 years. The current state of the global economy is too interdependent and fragile. IMO, poorer nations and certain semi-superpowers will continue to use asymmetrical warfare and proxy fighters targeting military, civilians and infrastructure. This is why I like the use of our products (and partners) for ISR and next-gen electronic warfare: think Syria 2007 and again recently with the “convoy” hit. Russians were not happy their radar systems were silent (and it is not because stealth jets/munitions were used). I have tried to stay quietly optimistic about our new partners. Inside, I am giddy.
Readers should not forget that technology is changing “asymmetrical” warfare as well. A 16 year old wiz programmer can do some very bad things to our power grids, water supply, food supply, railways, air traffic control systems, etc. regardless of which government/ non-state actor employs him/her. Hezbollah just flew a drone above an Israeli nuclear reactor. The internet is being used to wage jihad, and the plans for the next caliphate have been in the works for some time (this is one reason I warned about the salafists earlier on this board).
If anyone thinks I am compromising opsec, as IJO would say, all of this information is in the public realm.
This article mentions several techs used for IED detection:
http://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace/military/countering-ieds/0
For example: CREW (Counter radio-controlled IED electronic warefare), hyperspectral imager, radio frequency coupling, GPR, terahertz wave frequency, milimeter-wave radiation, synthetic aperture radar, magnetic resonance.
Did it hit it?
I tried to look him up. I came across this from the SEC action against him. I dont think anyone posted it in 2012.
http://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/2012/lr22513.htm
Last I heard he was in Leavenworth. Not sure now. See below:
http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/InmateFinderServlet?Transaction=NameSearch&needingMoreList=false&FirstName=Timothy&Middle=&LastName=Huff&Race=W&Sex=M&Age=&x=111&y=22
Then two weeks later:
"The Pentagon for the first time is considering scaling back the massive buildup of drones it has overseen in the past few years, both to save money and to adapt to changing security threats and an increased focus on Asia as the Afghanistan war winds down."
"Overall, Pentagon spending on unmanned aircraft has jumped from $284 million in 2000 to nearly $4 billion in the past fiscal year, while the number of drones owned by the Pentagon has rocketed from less than 200 in 2002 to at least 7,500 now. The bulk of those drones are small, shoulder-launched Ravens owned by the Army.
The discussions may trigger heated debate because drones have become so important to the military. They can provide 24-hour patrols over hotspots, gather intelligence by pulling in millions of terabytes of data and hours of video feeds, and they can also launch precisely targeted airstrikes without putting a U.S. pilot at risk."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/11/military-drone-program_n_2663670.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003
Hello everyone. I have been busy. Not sure if anyone posted about this:
"In its latest round of budget tightening, the agency has said that it would stretch out purchases, cancel a high-flying spy drone and delay work on a new missile submarine."
"The other cuts were spread out among the major military contractors, though some reductions would be offset by spending increases on computer security, other unmanned planes and equipment for the special forces."
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/27/business/military-contractors-brace-for-cutbacks.html?_r=0
"The Pentagon plans to expand its global network of drones and special-operations bases in a fundamental realignment meant to project U.S. power even as it cuts back conventional forces.
The plan, to be unveiled by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Thursday and in budget documents next month, calls for a 30% increase in the U.S. fleet of armed unmanned aircraft in the coming years, defense officials said. It also foresees the deployment of more special-operations teams at a growing number of small "lily pad" bases across the globe where they can mentor local allies and launch missions."
"The plan, however, envisions a 10% increase in special-operations forces over the next four years, from 63,750 this year to 70,000 by 2015, U.S. officials said. Mr. Panetta also will announce a buildup in the drone fleet in the coming years, U.S. officials said, following growth under predecessor Robert Gates."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204624204577183234216799116.html
Texas does everything big.
"Gooden has introduced a measure which would outlaw the use of drones by individuals, or state or federal law enforcement."
"his bill would have limited exceptions"
http://radio.woai.com/cc-common/mainheadlines3.html?feed=119078&article=10784277
Legislation is rolling in from all parts of the country.
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/02/05/city-in-virginia-becomes-first-to-pass-anti-drone-legislation-
http://seattle.cbslocal.com/2013/02/05/9-states-want-to-restrict-use-of-drones-over-concerns-about-spying/
Disney did just buy Lucas Films. In today's paper is said Disney was interested in Star Wars offshoots based on individual characters, i.e. yoda.
Not sure if this is the right micro/mini to attach to the Argus. But it is fun to think about.
http://news.sky.com/story/1047004/mini-drones-army-deploys-tiny-helicopters
Just a question for the tech guys on the GTC side. What do you think of this product?
http://rangeelectronicsllc.com/
I agree with everything you said. If I may go one step further. We have lots of talk about mini/micro on the LTA side, what about GTC? How small can we get the tech? Size of a smart phone? Wrist watch? RFID tag? Can we eventually market to outdoor clothing companies as an included saftey option? Back pack or sewn directly in your jacket? Market to moms of scouts, etc.
Interesting news. As far as I know, they only have the two. I guess DoD thought it would be less risky to test them here than overseas.
Sorry if I am beating a dead horse.
I looked up the bill Rand Paul proposed last year (and will propose again this year). The definition of "Drone" used in FL SB 92 is lifted directly from his proposed bill.
http://thehill.com/images/stories/blogs/flooraction/jan2012/s3287.pdf
Again, there is a huge loophole. One large enough to fly an Argus through. This is a huge potential advantage over our HTA counterparts.
.
Following up:
I am reading the updated Bill Analysis and Fiscal Impact Statement. Ill give a few good quotes I think are relevant to certain thread topics.
"Drones are also highly capable of gathering military intelligence because drones can be quite stealthy and they can carry sophisticated surveillance equipment. For example, the U.S. Army recently acquired a 1.8 gigapixel camera to use on its drones which can track objects on the ground from 65 miles away while the drone is flying at an altitude of 20,000 feet"
"Drones can be equipped with infrared cameras, license plate readers and “ladar” (laser radar). It has been reported that in 2011 the U.S. Army contracted with two corporations to develop facial recognition and behavioral recognition technologies for drone use."
"In February 2010, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol began operating a center in Cocoa Beach flying eight drones along Florida’s shorelines and the Gulf Coast."
(this is just a few miles from the cape)
"Clearly, the drone industry is becoming motivated to move into more civilian markets. Reportedly Florida is competing to secure a position as a leading development, testing, and manufacturing site for drones."
"However, the FAA appears to be proceeding with caution in its implementation of the 2012 Federal Act. The FAA has delayed selecting the six test sites for drones mandated by Congress. Further, although it seems to be outside the congressional mandate and beyond the scope of the FAA’s airspace-safety responsibilities, the FAA has notified Congress that “privacy issues” have become a concern as drones are integrated into the airspace."
"Reportedly officials in Polk County, Florida, decided after a year of drone trials that the cost of meeting FAA regulations, in particular the cost of pilot training, was too high and halted use of its fixed-wing model drone in 2010."
"The Miami-Dade Police Department received its COA for drone operational status in July, 2011. It was renewed in December, 2012 for a two-year period. The Miami-Dade Police Department has two Honeywell Corporation T-Hawk Model drones. One of the T-Hawks is on lease for one dollar ($1) while the other was procured through a Department of Justice grant program. As of January 8, 2013, the T-Hawk drones had not flown an actual operation. The Aviation Unit was deployed to the scene of an armed and barricaded subject in December, 2012 but the Unit saw no flight time."
(I have seen videos of Miami Dade police quadcopters flying in South Beach
An update on FL SB 2013-92
It has passed the Criminal Justice Committee and now has been put on the agenda for the next committee: Community Affairs Feb 6th. It will then still need to go through Judiciary, Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice, and the Appropraitions Committee.
http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/0092
I wonder if the LTA loophole will still exist when the final bill is put to a vote.
"uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift"
More news for southern border:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/inside-politics/2013/jan/28/new-border-security-relies-drones/
When you are under a budget crunch, why would you cancel the TARS program just to replace it with much more expensive HTA?
""Our legislation will increase the number of unmanned aerial vehicles," the senators said in their framework, saying they also hope to boost border patrol agents and surveillance equipment."
"And the Homeland Security Department's inspector general has reported that U.S. Customs and Border Protection's current drone program is chaotic and the agency can't keep its drones flying at the rate it had promised.
The agency didn't even budget for enough maintenance money to repair broken drones."
Update:
No BiB at the 24hr race (that I could see). I did not realize how close the airport is to the track. I dont think it would have been prudent.
I don't know if there are enough posts about electronic warfare on this board.
"The defense minister stated that, while the US was once heavy-handed in its attempts to carry out pinpointed military actions, under the leadership of President Barack Obama, the United States has "prepared quite sophisticated, fine, extremely fine, scalpels. So it is not an issue of a major war or a failure to block Iran. You could under a certain situation, if worse comes to worst, end up with a surgical operation.""
http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=301003
A good book on the subject is Cyber War by Richard Clarke. In particular, was Israel's ability to shut down Syrian radar on its way to level the alleged nuclear plant being built by the North Koreans (believed to be done with UAS and hi-tech EW to let the F15's and 16's in). An Argus or BiB that use next gen EW/radar jamming is another application that the DoD should explore. IMO
What a day! Not sure if this is on topic. I just recieved an invitation to hear John Rizzo speak in a small audience setting. I am sure there will be Q&A. While it is not his "area" I would love to get his opinion of LTA use re: ISR, electronic warfare, LMAMS, etc.
Update: ticket confirmed. I will report back if there is a BiB in the sky
"Maybe this--these words from their new web site should have struck regulars as peculiar: "sporting event video" for example." I admit I passed over it.
Ok, I will bite and speculate. What a perfect way to bring in additional revenue and prove long endurance capabilities. Provide 24hr continuous HD overhead coverage of the Rolex 24 this weekend in Daytona! Only a short drive up I95 from the cape. I actually have an invitation pending to join a friend there (he apparently has an invitation to get into JC France's private infield party). I might just go to see if the BiB is flying in the sky!
Here is a post from Mide back in Nov 2011. I am not sure if anyone has updated this recently.
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=68606031
Back to the TARS shutdown. I am still trying to predict what they are going to use on the southern border. JLENS comes to mind but the last I heard the DoD reduced its order from 16 to 2 (which part of its radar system takes two to operate). Raytheon keeps throwing more money at it hoping the DoD/homeland sec bites. They have held three demos in the last 6 months. Below is the latest. I agree with Indy that the future is meeting these performance capabilities on a mini/micro LTA level. Mainly for cost reduction and ease of use.
http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2254
"About JLENS
JLENS, an elevated, persistent over-the-horizon sensor system, uses a powerful integrated radar system to detect, track and target a variety of threats. This capability better enables commanders to defend against threats, including hostile cruise missiles; low-flying manned and unmanned aircraft; and moving surface vehicles such as boats, mobile missile launchers, automobiles, trucks and tanks. JLENS also provides ascent phase detection of tactical ballistic missiles and large-caliber rockets.
A JLENS system, referred to as an orbit, consists of two tethered, 74-meter aerostats connected to mobile mooring stations and communications and processing groups.
The aerostats fly as high as 10,000 feet, can remain aloft and operational for up to 30 days, and can detect and target threats up to 550 km (340 statute miles) away.
One aerostat carries a 360-degree surveillance radar, while the other carries a fire control radar.
About MTS-B
The MTS-B is a multiuse, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR), laser detecting-ranging-tracking set developed and produced for use in military systems. Based on a state-of-the-art digital architecture, this advanced EO/IR system provides long-range surveillance, target acquisition, tracking, range-finding and laser designation for the HELLFIRE missile and all tri-service and NATO laser-guided munitions."
my bold
Indy, any clue what the MTS-B weighs?
update:
"Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) was recently awarded a $191 million contract to provide its Multispectral Targeting System for the U.S. Air Force's MQ-9 Reaper."
http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2128
I looked up Tony White and the same people kissing his rear in the comments are the same ones that have "recomended" him on linked in. I tend to agree it is sour grapes. IP protection in K language tends to be pretty clear cut and im sure BJ protected all WSGI ownership rights to the collaboration. Besides, he just states he drew up something. Good job. Did he come up with and design the recycler? Maybe then I might give him some props.
BBB, I am not sure what you saw. USAFA is out that way (I have a cousin RIP there).
I agree with Indy that we are not a direct replacement for the TARS system. The public specs do not add up unless they are ordering Argus x 25, which I do not think is likely (at this time ). TARS sites include the P.R. as well as the telecom link to dissidents in Cuba located in the FL keys, TX, AX, and NM. Those aerosats are at 15k with radar pointing forward and down. Not sure if BIB payload can fly at 1-3k, aim up and do the same thing.
This is interesting news. Can anyone find the RFP? According to Exelis, there is a RFP to shutdown the TARS system.
"The government also indicated its intent that aerostat flight operations will cease on March 15, 2013, and that the remainder of the fiscal year will be used to deflate aerostats, disposition equipment, and prepare sites for permanent closure. We are currently reviewing all the details of the RfP and evaluating the possible impacts on the program and our workforce. We continue to communicate with the government on this matter, and we will have more information in the coming days and weeks."
Who made the decision? The Oct 2012 report had that responsibility going to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for R&E. That post is vacant. Could it have been made by the deputy, Shaffer, or boss, Under Secretary of Defense for AT&L, Kendall?
I have not found any information re: replacing the system. I have heard about the "Space Fence" but I am not sure it has the same low level (and forward looking) coverage. Its full capabilities are classified.
Update, I think this is the full email from Exelis. It could be fake:
Subject: TARS Contract Update
Tuesday, 15 January 2013, we received a government request for a proposal (RfP) to de-scope and close the TARS program by the end of the fiscal year. The government indicated that it does not intend to exercise the final two option years for the TARS contract. In the RfP, the government also indicated its intent that aerostat flight operations will cease on March 15, 2013, and that the remainder of the fiscal year will be used to deflate aerostats, disposition equipment, and prepare sites for permanent closure. We are currently reviewing all the details of the RfP and evaluating the possible impacts on the program and our workforce. We continue to communicate with the government on this matter, and we will have more information in the coming days and weeks.
The TARS program provides a critical capability to the U.S. government and we should remain focused on providing that service in an uninterrupted and robust manner.
The best thing we can do right now is to continue to provide the outstanding TARS support that has become the Exelis hallmark, while allowing the company and the government time to continue discussions on how to best support the customer, the program, and our workforce. We will provide regular updates as we know more. Should you have a specific question, please address them to Tim Green, Program Manager.
Tim Green, PMP
Program Manager
Tethered Aerostat Radar System
Exelis Systems Corporation