By Mukesh Sharma
Doha: The Scan Eagle drone that the United States uses for aerial reconnaissance in the region started with tuna fishing in the Pacific. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that can fly for 24 hours without refuelling takes off from a catapult to reach a height of up to 20,000 feet, said a Boeing official at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex).
“Scan Eagle flies virtually noiseless,” said D Scott Day of Boeing’s Defence, Space and Security division yesterday. US news agency Associated Press is mooting the idea of using drones to gather news. A clutch of American news organisations came together to study the idea which earlier ran into legal hurdles with the First Amendment of the US constitution coming up for debate. “This drone can be put to use for military and civilian purposes with equal dexterity,” said Day. Land, marine and air armaments on display across the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) are drawing experts and the laity.
Turkish weapon maker MKE’s assault rifle is made in keeping with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) standards. Coskun Tekin, Middle East Business Development Project Coordinator said: “Our sniper and assault rifles bring together the best of reputed weapon systems in the world.” The gas-operated rifle can fire about 700 rounds per second. National Infantry Rifle or MPT-76, said Tekin, can also be used as a grenade launcher and shotgun, and the sniper weapon can shoot a target up to a kilometre away.
The Ankara-based company’s penetrating bomb, which is latched under the wings of fighter jets, can pierce thick armour and blow up the target to smithereens. The armament explodes as it hits armour that could be an underground enemy bunker.
Lockheed Martin’s stand has on display the famous PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE missiles, which took on the infamous scuds of Saddam Hussein in the Gulf War. Part of the Patriot missile interceptor system, PAC missiles destroy the target with kinetic energy without using explosives, said Raytheon Vice-President.
The integrated defence systems maker plans to build the next-generation Patriot that would be on display at a military show in Alabama. With wars and low intensity conflicts stoking weapons demand across the world, expos help armament makers lap up lucrative contracts. Weapons, said Tekin, kill the animal within the person and not the human being.
The Peninsula
