I've recently read an article on how some soldiers were trying to use R/C Trucks to investigate and detonate possible I.E.D.'s. A quote from it stated, "Only EOD units have them, and you could wait for hours and hours before they show up with their robot. If 200 units read about this idea, and 50 units actually buy a toy RC car, and it saves just one single life, it would all be worth it."

Question:
If custom R/C Trucks & Planes w/ wireless video, day/night vision capabilites, & a small payload carrying capacity were produced would there be any interest in purchasing them? Est. Cost $250

Choices:
Yes
No
Maybe

 

To be honest, I wouldn't place my life on the line based on information derived from a toy, would you?

It's not about being a toy, or being derived from a toy, it's about SAVING LIVES with the use of the INFORMATION. This INFORMATION from these "Toys", has to be used BY the soldier to make better informed decisions. BTW the government ALREADY uses these "Toys". Im sure you know there called UAV's, USV, and Microdrones.

Raven UAV

Microdrone developed for German Army.

"Toys" used in Iraq

German USV

For example, say your in a Urban Combat Scenario with many different streets and alleys. Instead of sending in troops to get in a possible ambush, you could send in an R/C Car, UAV, or Microdrone with LIVE Hi-Def imaging/video to determine the appropriate actions. BTW the quote came from Sgt. Greg Papadatos, of the 69th Infantry Regiment.

All I have to say is the proof is in the pudding.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ITConsultants,

The main problem with R/C planes is the range, they can't be handled roughly, not very stealthy. Comparing R/C planes with current UAV's shouldn't be done. Current UAV to mean the Predator.

R/C trucks and such? How stupid do you think these insurgents are? Geez all they would have to do is reach down and pick it up, or just step on the darn thing as it comes whizzing by. Next you'd be seeing those same r/c controlled devices aimed back at our troops with grenades on them.

I'm all for saving lives and getting information to the troops that can use it, but introducing this equipment into a purely tactical environment places troops at greater risk. These troops have never been trained in the use of this equipment. I trust you aren't suggesting that they get thier training while they are in Iraq?

Note, I removed the use use of the word 'toy' because you really think these things might save lives and appears to have struck a nerve.

Do you have a particular design that you feel would meet the needs? Training required? Tactics and how best to utilize them? Tests results in a mock-combat environment? (with test subjects that will pick them up if they see them, and or stomp on them?) Any of these things bullet-proof?

Hey if it can help im all for it... Is this an end all to the problem? No defiantly not. But it never hurts to have something else in the toolbox

And Gunny as far as them being bulletproof that isnt really something that is needed. Except eariler in the war during the initial push you are not going to inspect a suspected IED while your being fired upon

At that point your gonna get your ass off the X and go by what ever your SOP is on how to handle the threat

Also your usually going to have a direct line of sight with the suspected IED so there would be very little threat of someone putting a grenade or something on the truck

Thats one of the points I'm attempting to get across, there isn't a SOP that says grab the r/c truck and run it down the road an see what happens or is in the area. Look at it this way, the best way to fight this enemy is to start thinking like they do. I see a r/c truck heading my way, I'm gonna take it out, hence the question about bulletproofing. These things would have to be heavy enough so someone couldn't just flip it over on its back rendering it immobile.

One other point, you don't introduce new technology into a combat theater without first running it through the mill back home with the troops that would deploy with it. Theres alot of things that have to happen up front before technology like that is placed in the hands of troops whose lives depend on it.

hmmm, hit an run poster?

Too bad this guy didn't stick around. He had a good idea and when questions arose about it, rather than address them, he doesn't come back....really makes me wonder why I bother sometime.

I'm kinda in favor of buying an R/C truck on one condition. The IED are typically detonated by frequency right? These R/C 4x4s operate on frequency Right? Then I guess if you have a match boom goes the R/C and no lives are loss. But that seems a little too easy. Given the many frequencies it's probably like hitting the power ball. But I think he has something there. It just needs refining not hitting and running. I'd be interested in hearing how to improve on this idea. I wouldn't go as far as attaching cameras to them because the reliability is not there. Just as a hasty to send it across a road where you suspect a package to be an IED. Hell if you're waiting for EOD it would seem you'd have some time on your hands.