Plague of locusts blankets Madagascar

[Mike]

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn23520-plague-of-locusts-blankets-madagascar.html

"A locust plague of epic size is devastating the island nation of Madagascar, threatening the lives of 13 million people already on the brink of famine.

Billions of locusts are destroying crops and grazing lands across half the country. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) expects the plague to get worse, with two-thirds of the country likely to be affected by September."
[...]

 

[3DStudent]

I found the last part of the article interesting (bolded):

[quote author=http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn23520-plague-of-locusts-blankets-madagascar.html]Buhl hopes to better understand their routes by studying the Madagascar outbreak with a drone aircraft.[/quote]

Though maybe that could be a benevolent use of drone aircraft.

 

[Rich]

I found the last part of the article interesting (bolded):

[quote author=http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn23520-plague-of-locusts-blankets-madagascar.html]Buhl hopes to better understand their routes by studying the Madagascar outbreak with a drone aircraft.

Though maybe that could be a benevolent use of drone aircraft.
[/quote]

Undoubtedly. "Ecodrone" use is 'taking off' - pardon the pun. As they have many advantages over traditional aircraft when put to such uses: _http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/aug/20/ecology-drones-endangered-wildlife

And a home for retired military drones: _http://www.npr.org/2013/04/25/179017548/from-battle-to-birds-drones-get-second-life-counting-critters

Link from that one shows just how far UAV's have been integrated into environmental projects in the US: _http://rmgsc.cr.usgs.gov/UAS/

The sky is the limit for drone applications - pardon the pun again :) _http://www.livescience.com/28136-uses-for-drones.html

It's big business.