Wings Over the Pyre - April 1st, 2005

01:48 am - More Birthday Gift Options for the Squid

Technorati Tags: military, weapons, trucks, urban, MOUT, birthday, gifts

Thank you engadget:

The Smart Truck on display at Singapore’s Global Security Asia 2005 exhibition this week is built like a Humvee with a posh interior: leather seats, air-conditioning and a command and control center flanked with an array of flat-screen monitors. This vehicle makes it easy to relax in style as you trigger .50 caliber machine guns and anti-RPG (rocket propelled grenade) missiles from the comfort of your cockpit. Outfitted with multiple cameras (including a periscope cam), the 5-person crew inside is afforded a sweeping view of the surrounding terrain. Only $65,000 for this James Bond-style unit — missiles not included. Bonus: replace the missiles with tear gas cannisters and use it for crowd control!

Why, yes, I'd love to have one of these. Thank you for asking!

Of equal interest is the other system specs you find if you flick around the Net, including options for sniper-directional mics, low-light/IR floods and internal displays, bio-hazard detection ... what we're really talking about here is a modular ground-platform for urban pacification/warfare for UGOs and the like with semi-deep pockets and plausible deniability.

The thing I find most intriguing is the CIDS system, supposedly good against RPG rounds. That implies a lot of sophisticated tracking and engagement hardware, and were I with Blackwater and thinking of buying a few, I'd insist on seeing that tech demonstrated at a variety of engagement ranges, several being near point-blank.

Still, yes, I'd love to possess one. Can I get it painted with a faint ghost squid in pearl over black on the hood, tentacles trailing down the sides?

(Actually, its called the SmarTruck III. Bloody marketers.)

Current Mood: impressed

02:54 am - On the Road to the Seven Hills

Technorati Tags: meme, goth

Very Goth You scored 80!

You're a Goth. Whether you admit it freely or not there is no denying it. You love the stuff and can't get enough. You decorate your living space in a way that is part morbid part chaotic.I'm sure your music is mostly Goth/Industrial/Darkwave. Wherever you go you're probably dressed mostly in black.Not only do you know who Switchblade Symphony is, you own every CD and EP they ever put out. Your dream profession is definatly something that benifits goths-Tattoo artist, goth DJ, freelance Gothic artist, Gothy comic creator ect.ect.ect...

Yes, yes, most of my wardrobe is black. Yes, I have an affinity for the grim and violent. Sadly, I have a decent job, my own car, a house, and don't have to whine to daddy for the keys to his beater, nor do I consider it the pinnacle of haute couture to make my appearance as socially divisive as possible (and, as genetics saw to that little fillip, I have no urge to).

Ergo, I dissent.

Current Mood: grumpy

04:14 am - Avril

There will be no April Fool's shenanigans here.

I already know most of you are fools.

Carry on.

Current Mood: cranky