The Perfect Soldier: Special Operations, Commandos, and the Future of Us Warfare by James F. Dunnigan
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Dirty Little Secrets
China, Iran and Cuba and Ultralight Aircraft
by James Dunnigan
April 30, 2005
Discussion Board on this DLS topic
April 25, 2005: China, Iran and Cuba are taking a very serious interest in the
security and military uses of ultralight aircraft. These are essentially single
seat powered flying machines weighing about 250 pounds, or less. They rarely
move faster than a hundred kilometers an hour, but can stay up for several hours
and reach altitudes of 5,000 feet or more. These aircraft evolved in the 1970s,
out of attempts to equip hang gliders with engines.
China displayed a
number of ultralights at the annual Zuhai Air Show, and has incorporated them
into some military exercises. Cuba and Iran seem to be a little behind China,
but still in advance of the rest of the world when it comes to using ultra
lights for things like reconnaissance and surveillance. Both countries
apparently being interested in their use for border and coastal security. All
three countries seem to have also been conducting experiments in the use of
ultralights as strike aircraft or for commando operations. This is a particular
matter of concern given that terrorist groups like Hizbollah, already known to
be operating UAVs, have been experimenting with them as well.
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