Hang up and drive...

I am not a real big fan of government programs.  

However, the UK's "Think" campaign, which encourages driver safety... generally through graphic videos where lots of people die in dramatic fashion... is exceptionally effective at getting their message out in a memorable manner.  

Here in the US it is apparently too controversial to show dramatized versions of what happens every day on our highways, and kills over 40,000 people a year.  

On the lighter side, Think! has produced a driving safety challenge (link here) where you see how well you can divide your attention between pedestrians on the road and a cell phone conversation.  The pass rate is 19%.  I failed miserably.  Good luck.  

Russian subs in the gulf!

Nice to know we are not alone out here, as there are Russian subs operating in the Gulf of Mexico.  

The article states that "it is also not known why the submarine conducted the operation".  

Uhh... to clown the US Navy?  Just sayin'.  

No pilot? No big deal.

Most Marines would not want close air support from an unmanned attack helicopter, nor to be flown to a hospital in an unmanned medical evacuation helicopter.  

However, after nearly 500 sorties of night time vertical resupply missions to remote bases in Afghanistan, the "optionally piloted" KMAX has proven that an unmanned cargo hauler is a win-win.

In fact, the two evaluation aircraft in support of the Marines have been extended for six months, and may be extended another year.  

Ironically, the aircraft still requires a pilot to start it up and shut it down.  Flying sling loads cross country through the mountains at night?  No pilot.  Time to get fuel?  Go get a pilot to shut it down.  Talk about not logging any flight time...

See it in action in the Lockheed Martin video below.