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$96 3D-printed rocket that recalculates its mid-air trajectory using a $5 sensor

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421–430 of 561 posts

Re: $96 3D-printed rocket that recalculates its mid-air trajectory using a $5 sensor

#421

On the defensive side, see perhaps this phased array radar system with a 20km range: * https://github.com/NawfalMotii79/PLFM_RADAR

Expanding on that, for interest: * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phased_array * https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2003/02/11/294058... * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-role_Electronically_Scan... * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_E-7_Wedgetail

> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_E-7_Wedgetail

Somewhat interesting in that the Pentagon did not want the E-7 (as a replacement to the E-3):

* https://www.twz.com/air/e-2-hawkeye-replaces-usaf-e-3-sentry...

nominally because it wanted to spend the money on more E-2s, which can operate on smaller and rougher airfields, which would be handy in (e.g.) the Pacific where tiny islands don't necessary 'fancy' runways that the E-7 needs.

But they're actually very handy in tracking tiny targets—like drones—so Australia is sending E-7(s) to the Middle East:

* https://www.twz.com/air/massive-leap-in-ability-to-spot-iran...

Congress rebuffed the Pentagon's attempted to 'completely kill' E-7 acquisitions, and the USAF has now put in an order, and it may be that people now realizing having some number of E-7s may be handy:

* https://breakingdefense.com/2026/03/following-congressional-...

Re: $96 3D-printed rocket that recalculates its mid-air trajectory using a $5 sensor

#423

I think this violates ITAR. You aren't allowed put a guidance system on a rocket. And even if you were allowed to do it for your own fun/education, you certainly aren't allowed to provide instructions to foreign entities about how it do it.

It's life imprisonment just to possess a launcher (not even the rocket) that is intended to launch a rocket/missile that guides towards an aircraft. And the guy has another youtube short where he explicitly says the intended guidance system is cameras that update the location of a missile and then he shows a real drone and also the emblem of an aircraft as intended targets for this guidance system, while also calling it a MANPADS launcher.

That's before you even get to ITAR.

Those of us who have seen people get nailed to the wall for having a almost to scale picture of a machinegun part on a piece of metal, or people convicted of possessing rocket launchers because the ATF put an entirely different gun inside of an deactivated tube and claims it is a rocket launcher because the ATF's own gun could fire inside of it, are watching this with our jaws dropped because we've seen that even bad faith representation of intent that were so much looser than this end in serious convictions.

Re: $96 3D-printed rocket that recalculates its mid-air trajectory using a $5 sensor

#424
When everyone started working on 3D-printed guns, I was sitting here thinking that if it comes to actual revolution, one is going to need anti-tank/anti-air a whole lot more than (relatively easy to acquire) small arms... Nice to see movement on this front

Re: $96 3D-printed rocket that recalculates its mid-air trajectory using a $5 sensor

#425

Earlier quoted context omitted.

you could have started a war with your neighbors using only sticks and stones - indeed, much of human history is people starting wars with their neighbors using weapons that we today would call primitive. But now you can start a very destructive war with your neighbors. Thanks to modern technology, you don't have to bother beating your neighbor to death with a wooden club, you now can annihilate them, and basically a…

For the non-Americans, the modern technology you're referring to is the HOA.

Lol!

Re: $96 3D-printed rocket that recalculates its mid-air trajectory using a $5 sensor

#426

> Despite the tech-cool factor of the project, Tom's Hardware does not condone making your own weapons system at home. Not that this matters for the topic, but I don't see why people have started saying "weapons system" instead of "weapon".

price bump -> value alignment layoffs -> right sizing censorship -> content moderation tracking -> personalization secretary -> executive assistant gambling -> event contracts inflation -> price pressure protestors -> domestic terrorists bailout -> liquidity support invasion -> stabilization effort war -> special military operation war of aggression -> preventive action for national security purposes lies -> misstate…

lmao so true

Re: $96 3D-printed rocket that recalculates its mid-air trajectory using a $5 sensor

#427

> Despite the tech-cool factor of the project, Tom's Hardware does not condone making your own weapons system at home. Not that this matters for the topic, but I don't see why people have started saying "weapons system" instead of "weapon".

Guided missile launchers are weapons systems, because the projectile and the launcher each are a component of a complete system which requires significant technology. This is in contrast to a firearm, which has all of the technology in the gun and not the ammunition (for the most part) or more simply a knife or sword.

> This is in contrast to a firearm

This changed long ago. Optic, light, IR illuminator, IR pointer, NVG/thermals. The rifle or carbine is now a component of the weapon system.

Re: $96 3D-printed rocket that recalculates its mid-air trajectory using a $5 sensor

#428
post #419

On the defensive side, see perhaps this phased array radar system with a 20km range: * https://github.com/NawfalMotii79/PLFM_RADAR

How is DIY radar regulated by the FCC?

You need a license for most frequencies.

Re: $96 3D-printed rocket that recalculates its mid-air trajectory using a $5 sensor

#429

I think with the proliferation and effectiveness of countermeasures passive target acquisition and first shot accuracy with traditional ballistic methods might be a better place to focus but I understand that's very hard to do nonprofessionally as an individual thanks to the rules and laws. On the other hand, there is a lot to be said for making them blow their $1k active countermeasures on your $500 missiles before…

> $1k active countermeasures

Sure you didn't forget a few zeros there bud?

They are currently trying to shoot down Iranian drones with $4 million Patriot missiles

Re: $96 3D-printed rocket that recalculates its mid-air trajectory using a $5 sensor

#430

I think this violates ITAR. You aren't allowed put a guidance system on a rocket. And even if you were allowed to do it for your own fun/education, you certainly aren't allowed to provide instructions to foreign entities about how it do it.

It's life imprisonment just to possess a launcher (not even the rocket) that is intended to launch a rocket/missile that guides towards an aircraft. And the guy has another youtube short where he explicitly says the intended guidance system is cameras that update the location of a missile and then he shows a real drone and also the emblem of an aircraft as intended targets for this guidance system, while also calling…

That man must really hate his dog. I'm sure there's some ATF agents just salivating to Waco this guy.
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