The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) is particularly widespread, in a multitude of roles. However, one company from South Africa is manufacturing drones intended for a particularly controversial role.
This is the Desert Wolf company that created it Skunk Riot Control Copter, a drone designed to use demonstration and riot control. To achieve this mission, the drone will be equipped with a surveillance camera and four paintball guns.
The camera will be used to monitor and control the crowd while the paintball guns will be able to use a range of 'ammunition': paintballs, plastic bullets or small caps of pepper spray. At the same time, latest technology equipment will include speakers and special lamps creating intense disorientation flashes.
According to the Defense Web site, a complete system will cost about 46.000 dollars and will consist of an eight-rotor drone, high-resolution and thermal-vision cameras and a ground control station. The control station will have two people, one for handling the drone and one responsible for handling its "cargo".
According to the manufacturer, the two operators will be supervised by camera and microphones to ensure they do not use the drone in a particularly aggressive way that could cause injuries or deaths.
The first batch of Skunk Riot Control Copter systems will be deployed in mining areas in South Africa. It is worth noting that in the mines of South Africa there are frequent strikes and incidents with the police, which often have a tragic ending with dead and injured people.
