Navy "Batman Boat" Has Drug Runners Thinking They're Being Chased By UFOs

The Navy's 80-foot $6 million "Stiletto" with its Batman-esque twin m-shaped hull has been floating around as a prototype project for several years now, but it has suffered from budget cuts in the Defense Department. However, it appears that the Stiletto is starting to see some action in the war against drugs. Recently a group of drug runners in Florida tried to elude one by sailing near reefs and sandbars at 42 knots and skimming over water less than 5 feet deep. But the Stiletto kept on coming. After a two-hour chase, the drug boat finally ran out of gas and the passengers were apprehended. They told authorities that it was like being chased by a UFO. A UFO boat, huh? These guys were so f'ing high. More »

The Pentagon Preps for World of Warcraft Invasion (No, Seriously)

Terrorism. It could be all around you. It could be in the air you breathe, the food you eat, the loved one you kiss goodnight and even the MMO you play. Yes, friends, according to a recent presentation by Dr. Dwight Toavs, professor at the Pentagon's National Defense University, virtual worlds could easily hide a real terrorist plot. And to illustrate his point, Toavs supplied this example screen from World of Warcraft. It looks innocent enough, just documenting a good old dragon fire spell on the south gates of the Keep. Unless...wait...what could they really be referring to? More »

Northrop Grumman Death Star Lasers Are Weapons-Grade, Could Be Out in 2008

Wired's Danger Room blog is spot on in comparing Northrop Grumman's upcoming solid state laser system to the Death Star. Promised to arrive before the end of 2008, and far earlier than Boeing's 25kW laser, it's supposed to have 100 kilowatts of power (SERIOUS pew pew action) and make use of multiple, less powerful lasers to form one giant one (see also: Voltron). More »

Roomba Maker to Develop DARPA's ChemBot Morphing Robots

Last year DARPA began the search for a company that could develop robots capable of squeezing through small openings and returning to their original size, shape, and functionality on the other side. Like most of DARPA's projects, the idea was way-out there. However, it appears that iRobot (the guys behind practical home robots like the Roomba vacuum and the Looj Gutter cleaner) have answered the call. More »