Last of the Grumman cats....

[wpeters]

Should we also be worried about Skynet? I ask because you're obviously an expert in this field  .

Well my point is if it is created by, it can be hacked

[Tank-Ace]

Assuming you can gain access to its core programming. And if the designers have even half a brain stem, the core processor and drives will be completely independent of navigation and any wireless comm systems. And protected by the best programs paid off hackers can create.

[wpeters]

Assuming you can gain access to its core programming. And if the designers have even half a brain stem, the core processor and drives will be completely independent of navigation and any wireless comm systems. And protected by the best programs paid off hackers can create.

How many times have plans for are classified military equipment been stolen.

[GScholz]

Better question: How many times have the computer systems of F-16s and other fly-by-wire aircraft been hacked the last 30 years?

[wpeters]

With $26 worth off the shelf hardware you can hack in and get a Predator Video Feed.http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB126102247889095011  What do you think you can accomplish with more time and money.

You have to remember that if something is made it can be reverse engineered. Also their enough people to be bought with enough cash that have access to the blueprints and knowledge of these drones.

[GScholz]

The difference between intercepting an unencrypted video feed being broad casted by a drone vs. actually hacking into the drone's command functions is enormous. In fact it is totally different and cannot be compared. It's the same difference as listening to an F-16 pilot's unencrypted radio communication vs. hacking the F-16's flight computers and taking control of his aircraft. Only happens in Hollywood. Never going to happen in the real world, and certainly not by goat molesters in some -stan.

[Tank-Ace]

No, no, he's absolutely right. The US is just plain inept at security software and separation of core systems.


I hear they're upgrading the F-22's software to a freeware version of Vista, purchased from Yemen. God, what a brilliant idea!

[artik]

With $26 worth off the shelf hardware you can hack in and get a Predator Video Feed.http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB126102247889095011  What do you think you can accomplish with more time and money.

You have to remember that if something is made it can be reverse engineered. Also their enough people to be bought with enough cash that have access to the blueprints and knowledge of these drones.

It is sad the US does not learn from other's mistakes by using an unprotected communications link.

In 1997 the Israeli Navy commando unit had fall in a trap by Hizballah, having 12 fatal casulties, because of the UAV's video that was intercepted and reviled the potential route of the unit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shayetet_13#Ansariya_Ambush

[GScholz]

Countersurveillance is unfortunately an area of expertise both our armed forces and police seems almost negligently inept at.

[BnZs]

Countersurveillance is unfortunately an area of expertise both our armed forces and police seems almost negligently inept at.

But you can bet the NSA has read this conversation! 

[GScholz]

Hi NSA guys! Nope, just us again. Have fun! 

[EskimoJoe]

Tell me about it Wide. Thats the main reason I left the Navy and went to the Army.  I worked on the Tomcats for 8 years and when I found out they were being decommissioned, I decided to switch branches. It kind of sucked. My dad spent 21 years out of his 40 at Grumman as an engineer on the F-14 so I was groomed to work on it.  I have hours of video of the air power demo's done by the F-14 from my days on carriers. One of my fondest memories about the F-14 was at an airshow at NAS Oceana  ( where I was stationed ). My mom and I could not find my dad anywhere so we put our heads together and we wandered over to the F-14 static display and there was my dad surrounded by Tomcat pilots answering their questions about it........ thought I would share that.

Thank you for sharing. I was born about 20 years too late to ever see the Tomcat in flight, let alone work with them.

Lucky B'tard!

[Muzzy]

There's a Tomcat on display at the Aviation Museum in Tulsa. You can even sit in the cockpit.

[TOMCAT21]

http://s933.photobucket.com/user/stryker125_2010/media/FastEagle101.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0


That is me next to VF-41's " FAST EAGLE 101 ". Plane was later lost over the Meditteranen Sea due to hydraulic failure.

[Brooke]

Obviously hopped up airshow stunts!