U.S. drone war: Spies in the sky signal new age of surveillance

Mark Brunswick
Star Tribune


LAKOTA, N.D.—The use of unmanned aerial drones, the deadly accuracy of which helped revolutionize modern warfare high above the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, is now spreading intrigue and worry across the plains of North Dakota.

Amid hundreds of hectares of corn and soybeans, far from the closest town, a Predator drone led to the arrests last year of farmer Rodney Brossart and five members of his family. The drone was called in after a dispute over a neighbour’s six lost cows escalated into a 16-hour standoff with police.

It is one of the first reported cases where an unmanned drone assisted in the arrest of a U.S. citizen on his own property. It was also a controversial sign of how drones — in all shapes and sizes — are beginning to hover over American skies.

Far from just the menacing combat aircraft bearing Hellfire Missiles and infrared cameras, Unmanned Aerial Systems, the preferred term in the industry, now include products so small they fit in the palm of your hand and can look as innocent as remote-controlled hobby airplanes. .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1239494--aerial-drones-spies-in-the-sky-signal-new-age-of-surveillance