Many
folks are familiar with the U.S. Navy’s use of dolphins and seals as
“weapons systems” to defeat terrorists, search out mines and many other such
activities. Lesser known is the US Air Force’s experiments with birds…
In
the 1990s, the Air Force began work with McDonnell-Douglas to blend the strength
and superior eyesight of eagles with the precision ordinance delivery and
heavyweight carrying capacity of the F-15E. The result was cybernetic
organism (cyborg) that was half eagle and, er, half Eagle (F-15 Eagle that is);
the F-15Z Striking Eagle. The result of this unusual mating has remained
classified, but rumor is that Striking Eagles have been used in Afghanistan and
Iraq, where their soaring capabilities and keen powers of observation have
helped to find and destroy many small terror cells (as well as a few rats,
squirrels, fish, ‘possums and other small furry rodents).
Click on
images below to see larger images
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The
model of the Striking Eagle was built some years ago, using a Monogram 1/72
F-15E Strike Eagle kit and parts from a Monogram “Masters of the Universe”
Talon Fighter. The wings and talons from the sci-fi kit fit amazingly well
and this was really simple conversion to accomplish. Eyes and beak were
hand drawn.
Enjoy!
Stewart
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