The American Universities Programming Israel's Killer Drones

"The nationwide student movement against US support for Israel's genocide in Gaza has brought renewed attention to the military ties at colleges and universities at a level not seen since the anti-Vietnam War movement. In 2024, the Pentagon provided over $10 billion in research grants to US universities. This doesn't account for additional university funding that came directly from weapons contractors, nor does it account for funding directly from the Israeli military-industrial complex."

"The University of Central Florida (UCF) is one recipient of such funding. The university's Center for Research in Computer Vision maintains an 'industry partnership' with Elbit Systems, Israel's largest manufacturer of drone weapons, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Elbit's products include the missile-carrying Hermes 450 UAV and the 'suicide drone' SkyStriker UAV. Elbit's weapons have been used to target civilian homes and infrastructure in Gaza."

Universities across the United States maintain significant financial ties to military and weapons manufacturing industries. The Pentagon distributed over $10 billion in research grants to US universities in 2024, with additional funding flowing from weapons contractors and the Israeli military-industrial complex. The University of Central Florida's Center for Research in Computer Vision partners with Elbit Systems, Israel's largest drone manufacturer. Elbit produces weapons systems including the Hermes 450 and SkyStriker UAVs, which have been deployed against civilian targets in Gaza. Computer science students at UCF may develop tracking technology for these drone systems through university-sponsored research opportunities, creating direct connections between academic work and weapons manufacturing.

Read at The Nation