>>This could bite the US on the bum one day. There are some clever people in some of the so called terrorist countries and it will not be beyond their capabilities to copy and perhaps improve on the US drone technology.<<

This is how arms races have always been run in the past: I see no reason why it would be different in this case. But the thing about arms races is that it is usually the people with the most money who win. And the US has good form when it comes to arms races. They're definitely the favourite and in a non-handicapped race they're the ones I'd back.

Cheers,

Tony

Sarnian: If the US had not invaded two sovereign nations with the help of Australia and sundry others, there would be no reason for the population of those nations to take refuge from the ongoing killing and mayhem in those nations.

You must be very very young. They were leaving Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan, Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, Libya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, Pakistan, Indonesia & Bangladesh. Anywhere where there is an Islamic Dictatorship. Then there is Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Angola D. R. of the Congo, Burundi, Rwanda & Uganda & China where there are Communistic Dictatorships. They have been leaving these places in droves for the West long before the West got involved in any of the Wars.

Better do a lot more research dearie before you get in over your head. Or, have you learnt what you know at a Uni. Well, there a fail for the real world right there.
Poirot: the U.S. and its allies did "cause" the refugee crisis in Iraq.
Poirot please read the above again & SPQR's post above yours as well. Shadow Minister is of course correct with regards to the Drones.
By the way. Australia invented the Drone in the 1950's. It was called Jindivick. It was mainly used as a target for Guided missiles but it could take evasive action.

Jayb,

Don't patronise moi, dear....the refugee crisis emanating from Iraq was and is directly attributable in root cause to the application of sanctions and the invasion of that country by the U.S. and it's allies.

Poirot: Don't patronise moi, dear....the refugee crisis emanating from Iraq was and is directly attributable in root cause to the application of sanctions and the invasion of that country by the U.S. and its allies.

Poirot: Please read the paragraph, in my post, above your 'rot. Hmmm. Have you ever asked yourself why the UN placed sanctions on these countries. Could it have something to do with terrorism & how they were treating their own people. Hmmm. I wonder. Still history for some people only goes back as far as yesterday if the truth doesn't agree with their ideology.

SPQR you mentioned Malaysia as an entry point to Australia. These people land in Malaysia because they get turned around in Indonesia. Once in Malaysia they take a quick boat ride across the straight to Indonesia. Most of them are in Indonesia illegally anyway & the Indonesians don't want them to hang around so, in reality, they turn a blind eye when they get on the boats.

Malaysia doesn't stop them from going to Indonesia because they don't want the problem. Malaysia is one of the most racist countries in the world. They don't recognise the Orang Asli as human until they convert to Islam. If you are not native Malay you are not allowed to own property. Even if your ancestors came to Malaya with Princess Hong Lim Poh, Daughter of the Chinese Ming Emperor Cheng Hua, & her 500 retainers to marry Sultan Bendahar in 1465.

Sarnian: To learn what's involved in a drone strike go to. http://www.military.com/video/aircraft/pilotless-aircraft/inside-a-us-control-centre-for-drones/1630320023001/
http://www.military.com/video/aircraft/pilotless-aircraft/warfare-by-remote-part-1/662045746001/
http://www.military.com/video/aircraft/pilotless-aircraft/warfare-by-remote-part-2/662045747001/
http://www.military.com/video/aircraft/pilotless-aircraft/warfare-by-remote-part-3/662045748001/

Plenty more at this site.

"With all due respect, drones of the type used by the US require a huge support base of satellites, computers, avionics etc. Let alone the custom ICs, optics etc. Even if they understand them, the chances of replication are close to zero."

And China, India, et al do not have lots money let alone a LOT of intelligence?
How long before China has a drone system up and running?
India has a lot of computer expertise.
Sorry but your Patronising is apparent

Sarnian,

I was unaware that India and China were terrorist countries, and were plotting to launch drones from ships and on shore. I had thought their Nukes and ICBMs were more of a threat.

Drones are built to be small and unobtrusive and to deliver relatively small ordinance with pin point accuracy. They are not intended for large destruction, are easy to shoot down and trace would be a stupid way to start a major war.

I try not to be patronizing, next time I will simply ignore the ridiculous.