OntheWilderSide

ROBOT KILL-CHOPPER GOES ROGUE above Washington DC! • The Register.

A software error, combined with an unfortunate user action, led to a US military robot helicopter – developed from a manned version and capable of carrying a fearsome arsenal of weapons – straying into restricted airspace near Washington DC, according to reports.

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Though this month’s MQ-8 departure from designated airspace is unusual, it is not unique. Operator error combined with communications loss led to a Predator-B unmanned aircraft operated by the US border authorities crashing near Nogales, Arizona four years ago.

In another incident, ground operators failed to regain control over a rogue MQ-9 Reaper “hunter killer” roboplane above Afghanistan, which had again failed to follow safety protocols. In that case, the errant droidcraft had to be shot down by a manned US fighter to prevent it crossing the border and violating a neighbouring country’s airspace.

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Filed under: Action Alert!, activism, Anti-War, Corporations, international politics, News, war Tagged: | drone, General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, Helicopter, military, register, Restricted airspace, skynet, united states, United States armed forces, Unmanned aerial vehicle, washington dc