But the project gained impetus after the Yemen terror attack on the USS Cole in 2000. The navy launched the classified Cetacean Intelligence Mission in San Diego in 1989, where dolphins, fitted with harnesses and small electrodes planted under their skin, were taught to patrol and protect Trident submarines in harbour and stationary warships at sea.Д¬riticism from animal rights groups ensured the use of dolphins became more secretive. Sheridan is convinced the scientists were keen to ensure the dolphins were not the navy's, understood to be kept in training ponds in a sound in Louisiana, close to Lake Pontchartrain, whose waters devastated New Orleans. Eight were found with the navy's help, but the dolphins were not returned until US navy scientists had examined them. The mystery surfaced when a separate group of dolphins was washed from a commercial oceanarium on the Mississippi coast during Katrina. 'The question is, were these dolphins made secure before Katrina struck?' said Sheridan. Usually dolphins were controlled via signals transmitted through a neck harness. 'The darts are designed to put the target to sleep so they can be interrogated later, but what happens if the victim is not found for hours?' Are you a bad enough dolphin to rescue the Prime Minister' Thats right, after the kidnapping of the Prime Minister the only thing that can rescue him it turns out is a dolphin armed with lasers. If divers or windsurfers are mistaken for a spy or suicide bomber and if equipped with special harnesses carrying toxic darts, they could fire,' he said. 'My concern is that they have learnt to shoot at divers in wetsuits who have simulated terrorists in exercises.

Leo Sheridan, 72, a respected accident investigator who has worked for government and industry, said he had received intelligence from sources close to the US government's marine fisheries service confirming dolphins had escaped. But those who have studied the controversial use of dolphins in the US defence programme claim it is vital they are caught quickly. Their coastal compound was breached during the storm, sweeping them out to sea. The US Atlantic bottlenose dolphins have apparently been taught to shoot terrorists attacking military vessels. Subscribe to to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox.Dolphins have been trained in attack-and-kill missions since the Cold War. Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for fitness and basic training tips, or keeping up with military life and benefits, has you covered. Blake Stilwell can be reached at Want to Learn More About Military Life? Navy to reconsider the role of the carrier entirely. Some say that innovations like the Zircon are moving the development of military technology away from aircraft carrier-based systems, calling for the U.S. It would take fewer than a half-dozen of those missiles to sink even the most advanced American aircraft carrier, such as the USS Gerald R. While at sea, any of Russia's 15 Buyan -class corvettes will be able to carry up to 25 Zircon hypersonic missiles. Navy intends to maintain a force of 12 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.Д«y contrast, Russia has one - and it deploys with a tugboat in case its engine breaks down. Russia's shift to hypersonic weapons is likely a means of contending with American superiority in size, technology and sheer number of aircraft carriers. would either need to intercept it at launch or fly an object into its path.

In order to intercept a Russian Zircon missile, the U.S. ship were to detect a Zircon missile from 100 miles away, it would have only one minute to do something about it. Air Force/Mike Cassidy)ДЄccording to Popular Mechanics, even if a U.S. The captive carry mission is part of preparations being made prior to the X-51's first powered hypersonic flight in early 2010. 9, 2009 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Crew members and program officials prepare the X-51A WaveRider for a 'captive carry' flight under an Air Force Flight Test Center B-52H Stratofortress Dec.

Laser dolphin weapon