Clarification and drone technology

When I write a column I am trying to communicate both facts and ideas. Failure to succeed in that is my fault. In my last column, I made the statement, "I am not suggesting teaching a sterilized version of our history." That message was not understood by some readers. We need to teach accurate history, acknowledge the good and the bad parts of our history, and also tell what changes, if any, were taken to correct mistakes. Without addressing the positive steps taken by the country to correct errors and to protect freedoms leaves the student with a picture as distorted as when those issues are not discussed at all.

Moving on, I found stories that make me feel that my past military experience was as relatable to young people as are the muskets of the revolution. One example is the changing use of drones. We have all been made aware of the use of drones to kill targets with bombs and missiles. A second mission is reconnaissance of enemy positions. This mission not only reveals enemy targets to attack, but it also can save American lives by identifying enemy troops waiting to ambush. The large drones we have seen in released videos are being supplemented by new small drones that can fit in the palm of your hand. These small drones can easily be carried by companies, platoons or special operations units and provide information about enemy locations and movements.

The PD-100 Black Hornet 2 drone is reusable, weighs 18 grams with cameras, and the device can fly for up to 25 minutes with a range of two miles. Another drone nicknamed the Cicada is a glider designed to be dropped from an aircraft. The unit is also palm sized, but it is a single- use drone. It can be equipped with a range of sensors but not video as of yet. In one test, the Cicadas were dropped from more than 50,000 feet and glided to their targets. The current price for the Black Hornet is $40,000, while the Cicada is priced at $250.

These two devices offer fantastic recon abilities to units in the field. The development of these drones is not a dramatic technological headline maker, but their use on the battlefield can save countless American lives.

Jack Dragoni attended Boston College and served in the U.S. Army in Berlin and Vietnam. He resides in Chaffee, Missouri.