Showing posts with label aircraft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aircraft. Show all posts

2013-05-04

Boeing X-51A WaveRider test flight

Experimental aircraft speeds to more than 3,000 mph in test flight - latimes.com



May 3, 2013, 10:02 a.m.
A lightning-quick experimental aircraft made history when it sped more than 3,000 mph above the Pacific Ocean in a test flight, reigniting decades-long efforts to develop a vehicle that could travel faster than a speeding bullet.

Boeing X-51 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


The Boeing X-51 (also known as X-51 WaveRider) is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft for hypersonic (Mach 6, approximately 4,000 miles per hour (6,400 km/h) at altitude) flight testing. It successfully completed its first powered flight on 26 May 2010 and also achieved the longest duration flight at speeds over Mach 5.[1]

The X-51 is named "WaveRider" because it uses its shockwaves to add lift. The program is run as a cooperative effort of the United States Air Force, DARPA, NASA, Boeing, and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. The program is managed by the Aerospace Systems Directorate within the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).[3][4] The X-51 had its first captive flight attached to a B-52 in December 2009.



Boeing: Boeing X-51A WaveRider Sets Record with Successful 4th Flight

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress from Edwards Air Force Base released the X-51A from 50,000 feet above the Point Mugu Naval Air Warfare Center Sea Range at 10:55 a.m. Pacific time. After the B-52 released the X-51A, a solid rocket booster accelerated the vehicle to about Mach 4.8 before the booster and a connecting interstage were jettisoned. The vehicle reached Mach 5.1 powered by its supersonic combustion scramjet engine, which burned all its JP-7 jet fuel. The X-51A made a controlled dive into the Pacific Ocean at the conclusion of its mission. The test fulfilled all mission objectives.

The flight was the fourth X-51A test flight completed for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. It exceeded the previous record set by the program in 2010.


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2012-11-22

Airbus' Eco-Climb Concept

Launching Airplanes from Catapults, Part 3: Airbus' Eco-Climb Concept - Core77


While many eyes in the commercial airline industry were undoubtedly watching the U.S. Navy's EMALS (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System) testing, it is Airbus that has first stepped forward suggesting commercial applications. Earlier this year the manufacturer announced "Smarter Skies," a series of concepts and promotional videos revealing where they want to be by 2050.

One component in their plan is for an EMALS-like system, though they never directly refer to military subcontractor General Atomics' invention; instead the company calls it "Eco-Climb," writing that "Aircraft could be manoeuvred onto a track system and accelerated using either electro-magnetic motors built into the track or an inductive circuit within the aircraft itself." [...]


Eco-climb | Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer

How will it work?
Aircraft could be manoeuvred onto a track system and accelerated using either electro-magnetic motors built into the track or an inductive circuit within the aircraft itself.
Acceptable acceleration and deceleration limits of passengers would need to be determined, but the experience would be more akin to a comfortable children’s funfair ride rather than a high-octane white knuckle theme park.
The ultimate, albeit it very extreme, concept is to have a system that not only launches but also captures the aircraft, removing the need for landing gear.  This would require all airports to have the same system, to accommodate all routes along with alternative/diversion airports, and most likely is beyond 2050.

EMALS

Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) is a complete launch system designed to replace the existing steam catapult currently being used on aircraft carriers. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the first ship of the CVN-21 Future Aircraft Carrier Class, will use electromagnetic launch systems.
Source: EMALS



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2011-11-06

The e-volo Multicopter

Photos of the Day: The e-volo Multicopter | Product Design and Development


The e-volo multicopter is an innovative, vertically starting, human carrying transportation device that is uncatagorisable to its current flight counterparts.

The e-volos sixteen propellers allow it to take off and land similar to a helicopter. Its massive plus points compared to a helicopter are the simplicity of its engineered construction without complicated mechanics and its redundant engines. Should anything go wrong, e-volo can still safely land even if up to four of its sixteen motors should fail. Flight time can last between ten to thirty minutes, depending on the payload and the capacity of the lithium batteries. With an empty weight at 80 kg (including batteries), e-volo fits into the class of ultralights.




e-volo - Home

World’s first manned flight with an electric multicopter

At the end of October 2011, Thomas Senkel of e-volo had completed a series of unmanned tests and was ready for the first manned flight on an airstrip in the southwest of Germany. The flight lasted one minute and 30 seconds, after which the constructor and test pilot stated:


Source: e-volo - Home

[...]

Possible applications
The main purpose for a single seat device would most likely be for air sports equipment and in the leisure sector. A professional application could be made in areas where helicopters are too big and expensive, for aerial photographs or field inspection of large facilities (wind turbines, pipelines), areas where its flight capabilities (vertical take off, landing, and hovering) are of crucial importance.

As a multi-seater it would also be conceivable to use for sightseeing flights, air ambulance, or air taxi.

There most certainly will be entirely new use areas that no one has yet imagined.



Vision for the future

A limiting factor is still the energy capacity of modern batteries. Longer flight times are achievable, with higher energy amounts. However during flight, less is more, as you carry the extra weight, successfully voiding the capability of extra batteries.

[...]

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2011-08-12

Hypersonic Falcon Launched and Lost

Falcon HTV-2 is lost during bid to become fastest ever plane | World news | The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/11/fastest-ever-plane-lost-during-test-flight
  • US military officials have lost contact with the fastest plane ever built during a hypersonic test flight over the Pacific on Thursday.
    The Falcon HTV-2 was launched aboard a rocket from Vandenberg air force base in California, on what at first appeared to be a flawless mission.
    But after separating from the rocket at the edge of space and beginning its return to Earth, the aircraft went silent during the gliding stage of the test flight, when it was due to perform a series of manoeuvres as it hurtled through the atmosphere.
DARPA's Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 (HTV 2) Test Flight Profile - YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5QHDV6S3jc&feature=player_embedded

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
http://www.darpa.mil/Our_Work/TTO/Programs/Falcon_HTV-2.aspx

  • Falcon HTV-2 is an unmanned, rocket-launched, maneuverable aircraft that glides through the Earth’s atmosphere at incredibly fast speeds—Mach 20 (approximately 13,000 miles per hour).  At HTV-2 speeds, flight time between New York City and Los Angeles would be less than 12 minutes. The HTV-2 vehicle is a “data truck” with numerous sensors that collect data in an uncertain operating envelope.
     Mastery of three key technical challenges stands between the DoD and long-duration hypersonic flight: Aerodynamics; Aerothermal effects; and critical guidance, navigation and control.
     HTV-2 flew its maiden flight on 22 Apr 2010, collecting nine minutes of unique flight data, including 139 seconds of Mach 22 to Mach 17 aerodynamic data.
  • The second and final planned flight test is scheduled for August 2011. First flight lessons learned, high-speed wind tunnel testing and computer simulations were used to improve aerodynamic models and to optimize the vehicle design and trajectory for flight two.

    The goal of the second flight is to validate current assumptions and increase technical understanding of the hypersonic flight regime. More than 20 test assets will collect continuous flight data to achieve this goal.

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
http://www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Releases/2011/2011/08/11DARPA_HYPERSONIC_VEHICLE_ADVANCES_TECHNICAL_KNOWLEDGE.aspx

  • The second test flight began with launch at 0745 Pacific Time.  The Minotaur IV vehicle successfully inserted the aircraft into the desired trajectory.  Separation of the vehicle was confirmed by rocket cam and the aircraft transitioned to Mach 20 aerodynamic flight.  This transition represents a critical knowledge and control point in maneuvering atmospheric hypersonic flight.  More than nine minutes of data was collected before an anomaly caused loss of signal.  Initial indications are that the aircraft impacted the Pacific Ocean along the planned flight path.
  • “Prior to flight, the technical team completed the most sophisticated simulations and extensive wind tunnel tests possible.  But these ground tests have not yielded the necessary knowledge.  Filling the gaps in our understanding of hypersonic flight in this demanding regime requires that we be willing to fly,” said DARPA Director Regina Dugan. “In the April 2010 test, we obtained four times the amount of data previously available at these speeds.  Today more than 20 air, land, sea and space data collection systems were operational.  We’ll learn. We’ll try again. That’s what it takes.”

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2011-01-02

Zephyr Solar-Powered UAV --Three World Records


Zephyr, the solar powered unmanned plane’s already set record has been officially confirmed. The aircraft has been developed by the defense and research company Qinetiq and has been declared by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) as holding three records. The records are for absolute duration of an unmanned autonomous vehicle (UAV) flight, flight duration for a UAV of its class and altitude record for a UAV of its class.


Zephyr comes under that class of unmanned craft that weights for 50-500kg and accounts for (21,562m/70,741ft). FAI is the world governing body for air sports and aeronautical world records. The organization has set the official duration at 336 hours, 22 minutes and eight seconds.



QinetiQ

High altitude long endurance UAV - Zephyr

Benefits
• Zephyr’s lightweight structure allows it to travel non-stop over long distances
• The unique propeller design gives the aircraft a high power to weight ratio
• The wing design maximises on thermal air currents to lift the aircraft to high altitudes
• The aircraft flies day and night powered by solar energy – recharging its batteries during the day
• No complicated launching mechanisms - the aircraft is launched by hand
• Zephyr is environmentally friendly
• Flies silently – no noise pollution

Zephyr is prepared for take off on its 2010 record breaking flight. The QinetiQ team launch Zephyr in 2008 Zephyr in flight, 2008 Zephyr in flight at dusk during its August 2008 flight.




Electric aircraft - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An electric aircraft is an aircraft that runs on electric motors rather than internal combustion engines, with electricity coming from fuel cells, solar cells, ultracapacitors, power beaming,[1] and/or batteries.
Currently flying electric aircraft are mostly experimental demonstrators, including manned and unmanned aerial vehicles. Electrically powered model aircraft have been flown since the 1970s, with one report in 1957.[2]

QinetiQ Zephyr

The QinetiQ Zephyr is a lightweight solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle engineered by the United Kingdom defence firm, QinetiQ. As of 23 July 2010 it holds the endurance record for an unmanned aerial vehicle of over 2 weeks (336 hours).[35]

It is of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer construction, the 2010 version weighing 50 kg (110 lb)[36] (the 2008 version weighed 30 kg (66 lb)) with a span of 22.5 metres[36] (the 2008 version had 18 metres (59 feet)). It uses sunlight to charge lithium-sulphur batteries during the day, which power the aircraft at night. The aircraft has been designed for use in observation and communications relay.[37]

The 2008 Zephyr version flew for 82-hours, reaching 61,000 foot in altitude in July 2008, the then unofficial world record for the longest duration unmanned flight. In July 2010 the 2010 version of the Zephyr made a world record unmanned aerial vehicle endurance flight of 336 hours, 22 minutes and 8 seconds (more than two weeks) and also set an altitude record of 70,000 feet.[38][39]

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2010-07-13

Taranis Unmanned Stealth Fighter Jet

Sky News HD

Taranis: The £143m Fighter Jet Of The Future

A new fighter jet which can fly without a pilot and defend itself against enemies has been unveiled.

Named after the Celtic god of thunder, the Taranis is an Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) which has the potential to precisely strike targets, even those on another continent.

The £143m prototype was revealed by defence firm BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, as part of an informal partnership with the Ministry of Defence and Rolls Royce, QinetiQ and GE Aviation.
Collected from: Fighter Jet





Taranis: The £143million unmanned stealth jet that will hit targets in another continent


The concept demonstrator will test the possibility of developing the first ever autonomous stealthy Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) that would ultimately be capable of precisely striking targets at long range, even in another continent

Collected from: unmanned stealth jet

BAE Taranis

The BAE Systems Taranis is a British demonstrator program for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) technology. It is part of the UK's Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicle (Experimental) program (SUAV[E]).

The Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicles (Experiment) IPT, or SUAV(E) IPT is responsible for directing the work required to establish the potential of Unmanned Air Vehicles.[1]

Named after the Celtic god of Thunder, Taranis will "explore and demonstrate how emerging technologies and systems can deliver battle-winning capabilities for the UK armed forces." [2]

Prototype unveiled

The prototype Taranis, which cost £143 million to develop, was unveiled by BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire on 12 July 2010. [11]
Flight trials are expected to begin in 2011.[12][13]


BAE Aerospace Taranis UCAV Unveiling Ceremony - Warton, July 12, 2010




A few quick stats about Taranis:
  • It’s nearly invisible to ground radar.
  • It’s designed to travel at “jet speeds.”
  • With onboard sensors, it’s intended for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in enemy territory.
  • It can also carry weapons, including bombs and missiles.
  • It can be controlled from anywhere in the world using satellite communication.
  • The plane began development in December 2006.
  • It’s the U.K.’s answer to U.S. supremacy in the stealth aircraft sector.

Collected from: Taranis - BAE Systems


Sources
Taranis: MoD And BAE Systems Unveil Futuristic Unmanned Fighter Jet | UK News | Sky News
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Taranis-MoD-And-BAE-Systems-Unveil-Futuristic-Unmanned-Fighter-Jet/Article/201007215663917?lpos=UK_News_Second_Home_Page_Article_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15663917_Taranis%3A_MoD_And_BAE_Systems_Unveil_Futuristic_Unmanned_Fighter_Jet
Taranis: The £143million unmanned stealth jet that will be hit targets in another continent | Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1294037/Taranis-The-143million-unmanned-stealth-jet-hit-targets-continent.html
YouTube - MoD Unveils New UAV(Taranis)HQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eITS4R11kGY
BAE Taranis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAE_Taranis
YouTube - BAE Aerospace Taranis UCAV Unveiling Ceremony - Warton, July 12, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FOKDXfo06g
BAE Systems’ Taranis: $214 million unmanned stealth jet can strike targets across oceans - SmartPlanet
http://www.smartplanet.com/business/blog/smart-takes/bae-systems-taranis-214-million-unmanned-stealth-jet-can-strike-targets-across-oceans/8835/
Taranis - BAE Systems
http://www.baesystems.com/Sites/Taranis/index.htm


Related
BAE Systems
http://www.baesystems.com/
Taranis Combat Aircraft Thunders into view - BAE Systems
http://www.baesystems.com/Sites/Taranis/Newsroom/autoGen_110612124240.html
BBC News - MoD lifts lid on unmanned combat plane prototype
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10602105.stm
Taranis: The $214 million unmanned stealth fighter that proves it’s better if it’s British
http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/07/12/taranis-the-214-million-unmanned-stealth-fighter-that-proves-its-better-if-its-british/
First metal cut on BAE's 'Taranis' robot stealth bomber • The Register
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/11/22/raf_overseas_outsource_outrage_taranis_robot_stealth_bomber/
England’s Taranis to be one of the largest UAVs ever
http://www.gizmag.com/go/6686/
Unmanned stealth bomber could have been UFO responsible for destroying wind turbine | Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1108973/Unmanned-stealth-bomber-UFO-responsible-destroying-wind-turbine.html

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2010-04-15

NASA's Puffin Personal Aircraft

NASA's Puffin: Your Personal Aircraft?

DiscoveryNetworks — February 02, 2010

Engineers from the NASA Langley Research Center unveiled plans to build a personal flying machine that would run on a set of electric motors. Jorge Ribas reports on the aptly named Puffin, which is still in the early stages of development.




The Puffin: A Passion for Personal Flight
Even the technical details were pretty interesting. If ever built the proposed aircraft would be small and very lightweight -- about 300 pounds (136 kg) empty weight plus another 100 pounds (45 kg) of battery and 200 pounds (91 kg) for the pilot or payload. The design would be powered by a total of 60 horsepower through electric motors, which are designed to be able to fail any two powertrain components on either side and still produce the required power to hover. It has a cruising speed of 150 mph (241 kph), but cruises more efficiently at lower speeds The range with current battery technology would be about 50 miles (80 km).


NASA develops one-man personal rocket concept

Personal aircrafts are the vehicles of the future

NASA developing Puffin one-man personal aircraft design, test flights planned soon
Test flights planned
Moore came up with the design as part of his doctoral degree, which he then sold on to NASA.
 
The Puffin would have a top speed of 150mph (241kph), but could easily cruise at lower speeds, with a range of around 50 miles.

The US National Institute of Aerospace is set to trial a remote control one-third size model of Moore's concept aircraft to test out whether or not the theories can possible be made into reality.

Sources:
  1. YouTube - NASA's Puffin: Your Personal Aircraft?
  2. NASA - The Puffin: A Passion for Personal Flight
  3. YouTube - NASA Puffin Low Noise, Electric VTOL Personal Air Vehicle
  4. NASA develops one-man personal rocket concept | News | TechRadar UK
Related:
  1. NASA Puffin personal electric aircraft concept
  2. NASA’s Puffin Is Way Cooler Than a Jetpack | Autopia | Wired.com
  3. Electric Icarus: NASA Designs a One-Man Stealth Plane: Scientific American
  4. NASA's Puffin Is a Stealthy, Personal Tilt-Rotor Aircraft | Popular Science
  5. NASA's Puffin is the latest personal flying machine that will never be produced (video) -- Engadget
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2009-05-08

PD-100 Black Hornet -- World’s Smallest Spy Helicopter

clipped from www.dailymail.co.uk
Mail Online

Fly another day: The James Bond inspired 'microcopter' that will come in packs of three

helicopter

The world's tiniest helicopter has been specially developed for spies and soldiers

Weighing in at just 0.5g, the tiny servos mean the PD-100 is even smaller than a toy battery helicopter.

Powered by an electric motor, the microcopter has 4in rotor blades, carries a tiny digital camera and flies at speeds of up to 20mph.

It has been tested successfully inside and outside in very light winds.

helicopter

The idea is that soldiers might carry a few Black Hornets in a pocket. If they fancied a look inside a building, over a hill or crest, down a tunnel or something, they'd simply launch an almost-silent palmtop microcopter for a recce. Should the tiny chopper come to grief due to flat batteries, a prang or perhaps a rolled-up newspaper, no matter - several cheap replacements could easily be carried. The standard package will come with three aircraft, a pocket controller and a charger.

clipped from www.youtube.com

PD-100 Prototype - Flight testing


blog it

PD-100 Black Hornet

PD-100 Black Hornet is a small video camera equipped helicopter not more than 100 mm long, weighing less than 20 grams. It can be carried in your pocket and launched within seconds to give immediate situational awareness. This new ultra small aircrafts is a valuable tool in situations where a closer look at a hostile area or inside a contaminated building is crucial.

Operational Concept


Deployment
• Complete PD-100 System Carried by One Man
• Ready to Fly – In the Air Within One Minute
• Requires No Prepared Surface
• Stealth – Small and Quiet
• Reusable with Fly Home Capability
• Low Cost
• Easy to Fly, Requires Little Training


Missions
• Look Behind Objects
• Birds Eye View of Areas of Interest
• Visual Information in Urban Operations
• Reconnaissance Inside Buildings
• Hover and Stare
• Object Identification
• Target and Damage Assessment
• Deployment of Special Payload


blog it

Sources:
  1. Fly another day: The James Bond inspired 'microcopter' that will come in packs of three | Mail Online
  2. 'Soon soldiers will have 3 tiny choppers in their pocket' • The Register
  3. YouTube - PD-100 Prototype - Flight testing
  4. Prox Dynamics - Welcome
  5. Prox Dynamics - Welcome-PD-100 Black Hornet
Related:
  1. World’s Smallest Spy Helicopter Rocks | Elite Choice
  2. PD-100 Black Hornet: Ride of the Valky-wee - Crave at CNET UK
  3. Tiny, silent RC spy helicopter for inch-high private eyes | DVICE
  4. PD-100 Black Hornet - Google Search
  5. Blogger: LinkNotes - Edit Post "PD-100 Black Hornet -- World’s Smallest Spy Helico..."
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