McDonnell seeks unmanned drone facility for Va.

Posted to: Military Virginia
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The Associated Press
© January 21, 2012

RICHMOND

The governors of Virginia and Maryland are asking the federal government to select the region to host an unmanned aircraft systems test range.

The request was made this week in a letter to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood regarding the test range that was called for in the National Defense Authorization Act and FAA Reauthorization Bill.

In the letter, Govs. Bob McDonnell and Martin O'Malley highlighted the region's technical expertise in the defense industry and said that similar design and testing of unmanned aircraft systems already take place in the area. They also said the region has the appropriate airspace for the type of testing and development to be done.

McDonnell's office said the state have not yet received a response from LaHood.

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No thanks

Submitted by A Markowitz on Sun, 01/22/2012 at 8:14 am.

From their use as tools of international indiscriminate assassination to their increasing use for domestic surveillance, (spying on citizens) drones are more of a problem than an asset. We do not need them.

Yet again we see a demonstration of...

Submitted by RandalGraves on Sun, 01/22/2012 at 10:48 am.

how the Democrat party has been taken over by elitist ivory tower liberals that no longer represent the Working Class.

I am the working class, and I say bring us the JOBS!!!!

Simple

Submitted by HoydeeToydee on Sat, 01/21/2012 at 5:52 pm.

If Gov. McTollbooth wants drones to come to town, he should just invite the Romney campaign to visit.

Can't our governor attract

Submitted by CookbookLady on Sat, 01/21/2012 at 2:57 pm.

Can't our governor attract any REAL jobs to the state? Why more government jobs? The government is always looking for a place to cut. And what about the tourism industry? He keeps encouraging dirty things like oil drilling and uranium mining, and now he wants drones in the air, too? Where's he from, Detroit?

Warner Athey

Submitted by Warner Athey on Sat, 01/21/2012 at 4:37 pm.

I don't think anything would please you cook book lady. Bob McDonnell is not out looking for dirty things for Virginia. He wants energy independence for the United States. Why is that so hard for people like you to understand. It is time to end our dependence on arab oil. We have an abundance of energy right here.

My Guess Would Be, Cookbooklady, That He's Trying

Submitted by RoosterB on Sat, 01/21/2012 at 3:43 pm.

to offset, as best he can, the 20,000 + jobs Obama just flushed down the john with his nixing of that "dirty" Keystone oil pipeline.

In you backyard

Submitted by Chris33 on Sat, 01/21/2012 at 5:46 pm.

Then you won't mind if we put the pipeline and the radioactive tailings in your backyard?

Warner Athey

Submitted by Warner Athey on Sun, 01/22/2012 at 1:52 pm.

Dumb question. But yes if they want to put a pipe line on my land, I am sure that we could work something out.
Your left winger solution would be to remain dependent on Saudi Arabian oil. Another thing, we have more nuclear reactors right around here than any other part of the world. Every sub has them, every aircraft carrier has them. I am not afraid of nuclear power.

Comment deleted

Submitted by admin (staffer) on Sat, 01/21/2012 at 12:38 pm.

Comment removed for rules violation. Reason: Cheering or advocating violence

THE PERFECT LOCATION IS....

Submitted by Chocolatelab1 on Sat, 01/21/2012 at 12:24 pm.

The perfect location for UAV operations would be Wallops Island on the Eastern Shore. The lcoation is perfect fro transiting to a restricted airspace and will not affect populated areas or civil air traffic.