I keep thinking that Woody or somebody associated with EDIG has inroads at the Defense Department. For instance, in the new Atlantic Magazine there's an article by Mark Bowan on drones. There's a bunch on sensors used on them.

"Drones collect three primary packages of data: straight visual; infrared (via a heat-sensing camera that can see through darkness and clouds); and what is called SIGINT (Signals Intelligence), gathered via electronic eavesdropping devices and other sensors. One such device is known as LIDAR (a combination of the words light and radar), which can map large areas in 3‑D. The optical sensors are so good, and the pixel array so dense, that the device can zoom in clearly on objects only inches wide from well over 15,000 feet above. With computer enhancement to eliminate distortion and counteract motion, facial-recognition software is very close to being able to pick individuals out of crowds."

"All of this requires the collection and manipulation of huge amounts of data, which, James says, is the most difficult technical challenge involved."

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/09/the-killing-machines-how-to-think-about-drones/309434/2/

The Navy is developing drones. Who knows, maybe we'll end up with a military application. ???

ORY