UPDATE on SWARM:
Most of you are aware that the WTBTS owns stocks on at least three companies dedicated to provide Rand Cam engine technology to the U.S. Navy. The engine in question has been mounted on the spy plane previously known as SWARM (Smart War-fighter Array of Re-configurable Modules). In April 8th 2003, the Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR) had a press release stating that the SWARM had been renamed Silver Fox and was being deployed to aid marine corps in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Observers said the drones for the most part performed well on the battle field:
http://www.onr.navy.mil/media/release_display.asp?ID=137
The Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR) press release 4/8/2003:
SWARM
being deployed to aid marine corps in Operation Iraqi Freedom under a new operational name: The Silver Fox .http://www.auvsi.org/iraq/index.cfm]
AUVSI reports that at least eleven types of UAVs were committed to Operation Iraqi Freedom. One of them is the Silver Fox (SWARM) bearing REGI’s (Rand Cam) engine.
http://www.webdesk.com/silver-fox-uav/
"Silver Fox UAV: Ready for the hunt."
"We sent an ONR team into the theater to deploy the Silver Fox following its transition from the original design" (SWARM). "It's now being tasked to help our Marines on the ground."
http://www.wired.com/news/conflict/0,2100,58173,00.html
Drones See, Smell Evil From Above
"It isn't the only tactical UAV slated for testing during the second Gulf War."
"If you could design a little weapon that weighs half a pound the drone could become more than a mere observer. The Silver Fox could become a robotic fighter, dealing pain from 500 feet."
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20030407/plane.html
Discovery Channel:
"Eight Silver Foxes currently are receiving heavy use on the battlefield, and none has been shot down yet."
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,54728,00.html
"…based on a humble spy plane originally used for tracking whales at sea -- researchers are attempting to make this science-fiction scenario a reality. The project has an annual budget of roughly $6 million. […] These machines would be capable of independently handling events in a hostile combat zone, such as surveillance, strike and even capture and detention."
Senator John McCain (Arizona)
http://mccain.senate.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=Newscenter.Viewpork&Content_id=1070
There are nine UAV systems currently deployed and in extensive use in Iraq. The Army’s Shadow, Hunter, and Pointer; the Marine Corps’ Pioneer and Dragon Eye; the Air Force’s Global Hawk, Predator and the Force Protection Surveillance System; and, the Navy’s Silver Fox.
Ninety Silver Fox systems were deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom with great success. Additional resources should be afforded to the unmanned aerial vehicle programs.
Senator John Warner (Virginia) Chairman of the Armed Services Committee
http://warner.senate.gov/pressoffice/pressreleases/20030509.htm
The subcommittee’s main focus was on enhancing the Department’s capability to combat terrorism both at home and abroad and to provide for a robust homeland defense. In these areas, the committee increased the President’s budget request by over $400.0 million. Specifically, the subcommittee:
- Authorized a 25% increase in unmanned systems.
- Added $135.0 million to rapidly accelerate the development and acquisition of unmanned systems including $8.0 million for the Silver Fox.
- Authorized a program to coordinate technology efforts and provide for the efficient utilization of bandwidth for unmanned systems .