US government research agency Sandia National Laboratories and Defense Contractor Northrop Grumman have developed plans for nuclear powered drones. The nuclear drones would be designed to fly for months without refueling (currently drones can only run for days without needing to refuel). The blueprints are also designed to give the drones greater “hang time over targets” and transport communications equipment. The research comes as part of broader push to use drones in both military and civilian settings. Some analysts are unsettled by the plans for such a widespread deployment of drones. Chris Coles who runs the blog Drone Wars UK, referred to the research as a “pretty terrifying prospect,” arguing that drones pose greater risks than comparable technologies.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=154323