pilot did not follow procedures and failed to even look at the check
list. How is this different from a manned a/c crash where the same
sequence of events occurred?

Because it had no airworthiness certificate - we don't let real people
(even the more expendable military) fly in those. If the
airworthiness couldn't be guaranteed, we wouldn't normally let an
aircraft fly.

Following procedures can only go so far. Robust designs minimize the
chance of a mishap. It should be obvious that if you have two
identical buttons, one which snaps a photo and the other that releases
a missile, that the system might ask "are you sure" before
implementing it. The current design is not robust has no margin for
error.

The loss of 100% of the operational UAVs in the Arizona sector in 2006
should be testimony to something!

I have no problem with real pilots doing this job if it's necessary.
I know some who do and it is apparently very effective.

UAVs are a costly boondoggle that provide little border security while
gobbling up money, resources and our airspace.

If we really wanted to protect the border, we'd stick up a big fence
and scatter some land mines around it.

Mike

PS UAVs are coming to the Canadian border too!