Article

2011-02-27 -Short Attention Span Theater-

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by gorb 2011-02-27 04:07|| || Front Page|| [11127 views ] Top

#1 AQ/Talibunnies start shooting all birds in 3, 2, 1, ...

Next on the agenda: CIA converts water to spy juice.

Posted by Whiskey Mike 2011-02-27 05:35|| 2011-02-27 05:35|| Front Page Top

#2 Another agenda point: some imams and mullahs work for the CIA.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2011-02-27 06:36|| 2011-02-27 06:36|| Front Page Top

#3 This type of configuration is called an ornithopter. It is a very inefficient method of flight, I bet the battery gives it about 2 minutes of flying time at best. The biggest problem I see is with such a tiny r/c craft is dealing with wind. When there is so little mass, unless the air is almost perfectly still the vehicle will be buffeted about and virtually uncontrollable. Gyroscopic stabilization adds weight and only helps up to a certain point. On a windy day this thing would just blow away.

Posted by Scooter McGruder 2011-02-27 11:42|| 2011-02-27 11:42|| Front Page Top

#4 What happens when a hawk notices it....

Posted by Water Modem 2011-02-27 17:15|| 2011-02-27 17:15|| Front Page Top

#5 I guess the old Afghan joke of birds flying over Pashtunistan with one wing covering their anuses will have to be updated.

I bet the battery gives it about 2 minutes of flying time at best.

I read 8 minutes.

Posted by Pearl Gleaper1127 2011-02-27 17:20|| 2011-02-27 17:20|| Front Page Top

#6 Gotta build one that runs on poppy nectar.

Posted by Glenmore 2011-02-27 17:37|| 2011-02-27 17:37|| Front Page Top

#7 >I read 8 minutes.

Yes, translating "military-contractor-looking-for-additional-funding-and-sales" 8 minutes == 2 minutes in the real world.

Posted by Scooter McGruder 2011-02-27 20:07|| 2011-02-27 20:07|| Front Page Top

#8 Biologically-based flight for UAVs has been a top research priority for a number of years. Hummingbirds are the most difficult to replicate, hence their use as a proof of concept.

However, while larger versions could carry more power, this form factor has its own advantages. Among them is noise camoflauge .... the quiet whir of the machine isn't all that more noticeable than the whir of a real hummingbird.

Note also the conops that includes "perch on a window ledge", which does not draw down the battery at anything like the power use of flight. These prototypes are sufficiently small that a squad could carry multiples, charging some while using others.

Posted by lotp 2011-02-27 20:27|| 2011-02-27 20:27|| Front Page Top

00:17 JosephMendiola
23:52 JosephMendiola
23:27 JosephMendiola
23:23 trailing wife
23:05 JosephMendiola
23:05 rammer
22:58 trailing wife
22:57 Steven
22:56 Harry Thavith9398
22:49 Steve White
22:49 JosephMendiola
22:35 gorb
22:35 JosephMendiola
22:33 gorb
22:30 swksvolFF
22:29 Halliburton - Mysterious Conspiracy Division
22:28 gorb
22:25 swksvolFF
22:10 Abu Uluque
22:07 Abu Uluque
22:05 Water Modem
21:57 twobyfour
21:50 Pappy
21:50 Skunky Glin****