The "Bionic Hornet" - Israel's Newest Weapon

Note: Although the "Bionic Hornet" was announced to news media many months ago, it was not covered by much of the mainstream U.S. media, and is still a newsworthy item.

As if straight from Frank Herbert's Dune, the Israeli military (surely in conjunction with the Pentagon) has announced plans to create what they are calling a "bionic hornet." A robotic device the size of a normal flying, stinging insect, the device will be capable of chasing, photographing, and killing its "target." Similar to the flying darts in sci-fi books and movies (such as the hunter-seeker in Dune), the futuristic weapon is estimated to be created as soon as 2009.

The device is heralded by some as the new "super weapon" that will increase efficiency and efficacy of military actions and spy agencies, as well as tremendously reduce the "collateral damage" created through rocket attacks and stray bullets. The "bionic bug" will be especially useful in fighting in urban combat zones, similar to terrorist situations, hostage situation, and (not stated but nonetheless implied) assassination attempts.

Israel especially will have great use for the little "insects;" they claim the device will greatly aid them in countering terrorism attacks. However, to many, the concept of human- or AI-controlled lethal bugs is little more than completely terrifying.

What is concerning, however, are the choice words stated by Shimon Peres, Israel's Deputy Prime Minister, when talking about the bug:

"The research integrates nanotechnology into Israel's security department and will find creative solutions to problems the army has been unable to address."

The stressed ambiguity is particularly curious. Just what kind of "creative solutions" are available to the Jewish state, backed by the world's only hyper-power? And just what can be classified as a "problem," to be dealt with the 'creative solutions?" Answers to such questions go, needless to say, answered insufficiently by either Israel or the United States.

Such disturbing information is topped by the terrifying thoughts of events should any number of "bionic hornets" fall into the hands of a terrorist or rouge nation-state; the events could be catastrophic. Is it even possible to shield oneself or others from a "smart weapon" that looks, sounds, and acts like a bug, and is guided by human or artificial intelligence?

Inevitably, as with all other weapons and weapon systems throughout history, confining such advanced and powerful tools to those persons and countries "responsible" enough to control them will prove to be impossible; military-technology proliferation is unstoppable. Complicating the situation is the argument that even Israel and the United States themselves are too irresponsible to wield such a weapon.

Original news item printed November 17, 2006; Reuters.