Blue Warrior

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.