Could a better use be found?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....g-unmanned-drone.html

Couldn't a better use be found for these devices out in Afghanistan, I know some are use by the Americans, but could our own equipment starved troops find more use for them?

Perhaps they could be used to spy out the Taliban when and where they plant their explosive devices?

[rov1200]

On the news today they showed a Reaper, a pilotless drone about to operate in Afghanistan. At the same time it was announced another soldier was killed on foot patrol. You get the same platitudes: Brave:Fearless;Courageous, etc but they would say that. Lambs to the slaughter would be more apt. If they have no answer to these IEDs or roadside bombs they should not be sent on foot patrols by a general heavily protected at base camp..

[anotheoldgit]

Your answer is all too true rov.

It makes one wonder how we don't seem to have an answer for these IED, when we have our hands on 21st century technology.

Lets face it with satellite technology they could spot you speeding down the motorway, but they can't spot a few tribesmen planting these deadly devices.

We are not talking about devices hidden away in some hideaway, in some building, in some built-up area, we are talking about a group of individuals conspicuously out all alone in the desert.

[bobjugs12]

Guys,
We do have systems like this operating in Afghanistan. We also have a lot of others as well. That doesn't mean we should have a monoploy on them. Why can't the police use them as well? Trust me the systems we use walk all over hover-robo-cop.

As for the foot patrols, they are a nessecsary part of the process. You cannot interact with locals from behind 6inches of armour, nor can you understand the tarrain when your travelling at 30mph.

As servicemen it's part of the risk we take.

[Oneeyedvic]

////we are talking about a group of individuals conspicuously out all alone in the desert. ////

Oh that has made me laugh. I suppose you think that deserts are nice flat 'deserted' terrains a la Lawrence of Arabia.

How do you tell the difference between nomads and terrorists? Or should you just blow them all up 'just in case'

[rov1200]

Bobjugs
Its not for our soldiers to win hearts and minds. The Afghan soldiers should be doing this to let our soldiers concentrate on warfare. We have lost over 200 troops from IEDs on foot patrols, there must be a better way.