ToD (Technology on Development) : Modern Warfare

In the ever expanding demand for technological advancements ranging from Agriculture to Medicine none have been so demanding as Modern Warfare .Due to the increased need of security from unstable political handling,War,Civil division and Terrorist incursions, The need of a safer and faster way to deliver ordinance and much needed security.In this post I will be discussing Black Knight UGCV(Unmanned Ground Combat Vehicle) and the MQ-9 Reaper Drone UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). To start it off, Let's begin with the Black Knight UGCV. The Black Knight is a 9.5 ton UGCV prototype being developed by BAE Systems. The prototype is being tested in the United States.It can be used for missions that are a risk too manned-operated vehicles. These includescouting, intelligence gathering and terrain examination. The Black Knight can be integrated with existing systems.The Black Knight uses advanced robotic technology for autonomous mobility. Vehicle's perception and control module includes high sensitivity video cameras, Laser Radar (LADAR), thermal imaging camera and GPS. The sensor suite supports fully-automated operation.The Vehicle can maneuver and plan routes without human interaction. Black Knight's autonomous navigation system enables to detect negative obstacles and avoid them and is capable in operating day and night. The Black Knight is equipped with 25-mm cannon and coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun incorporated from the M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle .

From: Military Today

Vehicle is fitted with a Caterpillar diesel engine, with 300 horsepower. The Black Knight uses many automotive components from the Bradley to reduce costs and simplify maintenance. It's high maximum speed allows to keep pace with main battle tanks. The Black Knight can be airlifted by the C-130 transport aircraft. Though it is able to transverse areas without human intervention though It has however have no way of defining a target without the designation from command base. These are the specifications of the prototype so far:

Dimensions and weight
Weight: 9.5 tons
Length: 4.98m
Width: 2.44m
Height: 2m

Armanent
Main gun: 25-mm cannon
Machine guns: 1x7.62mm

Mobility
Engine: Caterpillar Diesel Engine
Engine Power: 300 hp
Maximum Road Speed: 77 km/h
Sources: Military Today

Now let's move on to one of the more finished products of Modern Warfare and also one of my personal favorites. The MQ-9 Reaper Drone is the successor to the MQ-1 Predator Drone . The MQ-9 is the first hunter-killer UAV for long-endurance, high-altitude surveillance. It is developed by General Atomics, It is heavier and more capable than its predecessor. It uses the same ground systems as the MQ-1. The Reaper has a has a 950-shaft-horsepower (712 kW) turboprop engine, far more powerful than the Predator's 115 hp (86 kW) piston engine. The power increase allows the Reaper to carry 15 times more ordinance payload and cruise at almost three times faster than the speed of the MQ-1. The aircraft is monitored and controlled by aircrew in the Ground Control Station (GCS), including weapons employment.
Source: Wikipedia
Crew: 0 onboard, 2 in ground station
Length: 36 ft 1 in (11 m)
Wingspan: 65 ft 7 in (20 m)
Height: 11 ft 10 in (3.6 m)
Empty weight: 4,901 lb (2,223 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 10,494 lb (4,760 kg)
Fuel capacity: 4,000 lb (1,800 kg)
Payload: 3,800 lb (1,700 kg)
Internal: 800 lb (360 kg)
External: 3,000 lb (1,400 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop, 900 hp (671 kW) with Digital Electronic Engine Control (DEEC)
Maximum speed: 300 mph; 260 kn (482 km/h)
Cruising speed: 194 mph; 169 kn (313 km/h)
Range: 1,151 mi; 1,852 km (1,000 nmi)
Endurance: 14 hours fully loaded
Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,240 m)
Operational altitude: 25,000 ft (7.5 km)
Armanent: Up to 4 AGM-114 Hellfire air to ground missiles can be carried or four Hellfire missiles and two 500 lb (230 kg) GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs. The 500 lb (230 kg) GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) can also be carried.

With the success of the MQ-1 in combat, General Atomics anticipated the Air Force's desire for an upgraded aircraft and, using its own funds, set about redesigning the Predator drone for increased ability and thus the MQ-9 was born. Both drones saw action in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Well that ends this post's lesson. I hope you have learned on how much we have improved from the Second World War. From B-2 Bombers to Kill bots.This is Unf0r3seen signing off,Till then I will see you in the next post bye bye. :3

Resources:
http://www.military-today.com/apc/black_knight.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MQ-9_Reaper