by Mike Maden
SmartBird
UAV (surveillance)
Festo
Snake
UGV (surveillance)
Tohoku University (prototype)
Switchblade
UAV (surveillance)
AeroVironment
Wraith
UGV (attack)
United Drones
OTHER SYSTEMS
DESCRIPTION
MANUFACTURER, AGENCY, OR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
AGM-114N Hellfire II
Air-to-ground missile, thermobaric munitions
Lockheed Martin
Botnet
A network of hijacked computers used to perform automated tests over the Internet without the owners’ knowledge or consent
Worldwide
BTR-60PB
Personnel carrier
USSR
DROPMIRE
Surveillance hardware
NSA
FN SCAR-H CQC
Special Forces Combat Assault Rifle (Heavy, 7.62mm) Close Quarters Combat version
FN Herstal
HEADWATER
Software backdoors
NSA
JANUS
Facial recognition software
DARPA
JETPLOW
Firewall firmware
NSA
LOUDAUTO
Surveillance hardware
NSA
M-25 grenade launcher, “the Punisher” (formerly XM-25)
Laser-guided, programmable, automatic air burst grenade launcher
Heckler & Koch, Alliant Technologies, L-3 IOS Brashear
M58/59/MICLIC
Mine Clearing Line Charge
American Ordinance
MC-130 Talon
STOL special operations military transport aircraft
Lockheed Martin
PHOTOANGLO
Surveillance hardware
NSA
Satis
Bluetooth-activated robo-toilet with automated flush, spray, music, fragrance release, and data record features
Lixil Group
SOMBERKNAVE
Wireless Internet traffic rerouting software
NSA
SPAN
Self-Powered Ad-hoc Network , a wireless ground sensor
Lockheed Martin
WP
White Phosphorus
Worldwide
XKEYSCORE
Surveillance software
NSA
AUTHOR’S NOTE
As in the case of my previous novel, Drone, all of the drone and related systems described in this book are currently deployed, in development, or prototyped. I have taken the liberty of simplifying, modifying, or amplifying their operation and performance characteristics for the sake of the story. However, I am confident that the “new and improved” versions I have imagined, or something like them, might soon be available.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Once again I am gratefully indebted to the entire team at G. P. Putnam’s Sons, especially my amazing editor Nita Taublib and her invaluable assistant editor Meaghan Wagner, along with Kelly W. Rudolph, Ashley E. Hewlett, Mary Stone, Christopher Nelson, and the indefatigable sales crew who all support me and the series so well.
I remain well represented by the deep bench at InkWell Management, including my savvy agent, David Hale Smith, his gifted assistant, Lizz Blaise, and the social media savant, Lisa Vanterpool.
My very first book tour was an unexpected delight. It was a privilege to meet some of my fantastic readers face-to-face as well as the booksellers who make all of this possible. I owe a special shout-out to Barbara Peters and John Goodwin at The Poisoned Pen bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona, for hosting my very first public appearance with Drone. Amy Harper at Barnes & Noble in Lewisville, Texas, couldn’t have been more supportive, and it was an honor to visit with McKenna Jordan and John Kwiatkowski at Murder by the Book in Houston. Sundog Books in Seaside, Florida, was always one of my favorite indie bookstores but seeing Drone next to Tom Clancy’s latest was an unexpected thrill. Can’t wait to see you all again next time.
Thanks to all of you who support Troy & Co. in print, digital, and audio formats. It’s been a real pleasure connecting with those of you who have reached out through Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail—keep it coming. Finally, special thanks to Dr. Tim Gottleber who was my go-to resource for questions digital and dangerous in this novel. Mistakes in the manuscript, fictional or otherwise, remain my own.