US government goes sane

Not designed to run on rainbows and unicorns.

Noticing that buying pointless biofuels at four times the costs of petroleum-based fuels is idiotic, Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee order the Pentagon to stop using the "green" fuel until it becomes as cheap as petroleum.

Robocopter-based system recognizes pirate boats from a database

Piracy on the high seas of the 21st century requires 21st century solutions. As part of the on-going effort to curb attacks on shipping, the United States Navy will use a UAV helicopter to test a new sensor system in the waters off California during the summer of 2012. This new 3D sensor package in combination with new computer algorithms will allow the Navy to more accurately identify pirate vessels hiding among innocent shipping on the sea lanes with much greater speed and much less manpower. .. Continue Reading Robocopter-based system recognizes pirate boats from a database

Biofarce

The US government has been blowing the trumpet for some time about its efforts to make the US military "green" and now there efforts have borne fruit.  The Navy has bought 450,000 gallons of biofuel for the low, low price of only $16.00 per gallon–over four times the price of petrol.  And the whole thing stinks of cronyism.

In other words, the "green" movement in a nutshell.

I assume it's a rhetorical question

Wired headline:

Can Navy Afford ‘Death Ray’ It Wants?

The real question when it comes to death rays is, can you afford not to have one?

Beyond the Peter Principle

A classic example of Feminism trumping common sense. I have extreme doubts about this woman holding a commission, much less being in charge of a ship of the line. But that's what happens when you are more afraid of a bad political rating from the Commissar than of losing a ship.

Zap! Gurgle

The United States Navy is looking into using lasers to destroy attacking swarms of small boats threatening their warships.

I wish I had one of those in my sailing days. There wouldn't have been a windsurfer afloat within the horizon.

Polarised Views

Open water at the North Pole!

...in 1959.